One of the strongest bonds we will ever form in our lifetimes is that of friendship. A friend is someone we almost take for granted, not realizing how massively important their existence is in our lives. And when we lose one, it suddenly hits us how that relationship was so important. How do you move on?

Say goodbye.

A lot of people try to deal with grief by ignoring it. However, if you do this, you’re not really getting rid of your sadness. You’re just delaying it. And when it hits you, trust me it’s going to be like a sucker punch to the face.

So the best way to deal with a lost of friend is really to say goodbye the best way you know how. It can be as solemn as possible or even a party where all your other friends can gather not to grieve, but to rejoice in how much your departed friend has touched all your lives.

Acknowledge what the friendship has done for you.

We all serve some form of purpose to one another so what has your friend helped you achieve? Were you a better person because of him/her? If not for this friend, maybe you would not have discovered a special talent you have, or not found out just how much you love something (traveling? cooking? etc.). Acknowledge the best thing that came out of that friendship… and pay it forward.

Commemorate the friendship.

There are many ways you can commemorate a friendship. You can get a tattoo or play videos of your gang together each time his/her birthday rolls along. You can make a donation or even establish a charity foundation in your friend’s name.

Build new friendships.

Nothing stops; life moves on and no, new friendships do not mean being ‘unfaithful’ to your old ones. Would your best friend want you to have a lonely life? Of course not. So don’t feel guilty and go out and build new friendships.