Pretending to be happy or unruffled when your primary identity has suffered a deathblow will only lengthen the sadness, while allowing yourself to feel it will help it dissipate as quickly as possible. Grief slows you down, so you’ll need more time to do even the most mundane tasks. You’ll go through periods of denial, when the sadness eases up a bit, but then it will wash over you again. Identifying your losses, sharing your feelings, and grieving them through is absolutely necessary for preparing you to enjoy your new life.
