Am I ever going to be able to be happy again after losing my best friend?

Grieving the loss of a loved one is a process. It is not linear or follows a prescribed and consistent path either though there are "stages" of grief.

Anger, which you mentioned as a primary emotional experience right now, is a stage of the grieving process as we struggle to find meaning or understand loss. Often anger can serve as a tangible emotion in scenarios where we do not have have perceived control. Within grief, we are not able to control loss or necessarily the journey we will take. What is within each person's control is whether the grieving process is given the time and space to ensure the emotional experience occurs.

The intensity of emotions often reflect how much the person meant to you. Allowing yourself to experience the grieving process, though it may feel unpleasant and something you may desire to avoid, is important as an aspect of healing.

Within the vulnerability of the healing process, acceptance of your authentic emotions can also lead to glimpses of the more positive and joyful experiences too. When we mute the unpleasant emotions, we also dull the emotions we enjoy or seek.

Within the grieving process, it is important to hold that which you value about your loved one. What memories make you smile the most? What reasons are you happy to have had your loved one in your life? Those are the values that you will continue to hold close to you and which will propel to walk forward into your healing journey.

As you walk forward with your inspired thoughts, emotions, and values, it will not be lost that you are also carrying your loved one forward with you. Your loved one's essence lives on as you continue your path and share his stories with others.

It is important to remember that your emotions are valid and not minimized when some may state to you that "it takes time." The key aspect within that phrase is the patience to give yourself that time and space to grieve and heal without judgment of yourself or expectations of how, when, or anything else. Be patient and kind to yourself because you deserve that. It also seems that is how your loved one, your best friend, would want you to be treated as well. Honor yourself, him, and the close relationship which you had by taking the time you need to heal.