If you are young and have lost someone dear, you may wonder how you can spend the next 40 or 50 years alone.
After a period of mourning your loss, you may be thinking about finding a new love.
Where do you begin? Here is one of the steps that can help you get ready to date and find a new love after widowhood: Honor your memories.
There are so many ways to do this and there is no right or wrong way.
Do what you think is right for you.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Keep a journal.
  You can purchase a leather-bound journal or something with a pretty picture on it.
  Write your thoughts and feelings, poems, quotes, or anything that comes to your mind.
  It is for your eyes only, so you can express any thought or feeling you desire.
  
• Create a scrapbook of memories.
  Get as creative as you want to be.
  
• Create photo albums of all those pictures you may have lying around, unorganized.
  You could also ask others to contribute their pictures.
  
• Create a memorial to your late spouse.
  You can dedicate a corner or wall to your late spouse.
  If you have the space, you may even create a room that memorializes your spouse.
  It could be a quiet space to retreat to or a space to feel close to your spouse.
  
• Create an online blog to write about your thoughts and feelings.
  You can make this private or allow others to see what you have written.
  
• Talk about the good times and the bad with trusted friends and family.
  
• Watch movies that help you to release your emotions.
  Watch sad movies which allow you to cry.
  Watch movies to help you laugh.
  Watch movies that you saw together as a way of feeling close to your late spouse.
  
• Talk to your late spouse, about whatever is on your mind.
  Talk to his picture if that is more helpful.
  Use a recording device if you so desire.
  

As you find that you are ready to find a new companion, talk to your late spouse about it.
You will have conflicting feelings about dating after losing your spouse, and one way to honor your memories of your life together is to talk to your late spouse about your thoughts about finding a new love.
You may find this the most natural thing in the world or you may think it is strange and awkward.
Whatever you feel is fine.
Understand that even if you decide to date again, you do not have to give up your memories and your love for your late spouse.
Your memories are part of who you are.
You bring them with you as you begin to date again.