It does get better but it takes a while,and the expectation others often have that after a year it will suddenly be OK again is often something we also thought,but discover when it happens that it really is built on a false premise.
My personal take on it is we don't stop missing them ever,but gradually learn to live with them alongside us in a very different way.
Another thing people say is you should get out,socialise,join this and that which is fine if you are a person who does that.Personally I wasn't before my husband died, and that sometimes felt like extra pressure as if we dont have enough to contend with,to be asked to behave in a way which isn't natural for us.I did try and join a couple of things locally,but it didn't work out, mainly because they were alien too me and didnt spark any real interest.
I do work so that kills time,and I did keep going camping with a group of really good friends we were friends with as a couple but unlike with a lot of things,you didn't need to be a couple they were always a mixed bunch.Its not day to day,but 6 weekends or so a year,but it helps to have them to look forward too.I,ve met up with groups from this forum too,and had a lovely time.I have also got used to travelling alone now and am comfortable with that.
For me the garden is a really good place to not feel alone because there is always something going on,and that has deepened my love of wild life.Doing the weeding isnt exactly exciting but it gets me out there.
As I had to move my incentive was to re create the garden we had both loved,I think in a way even though he was no longer physically here,he was and still is my motivation,doing stuff we loved to do together,and some of the things we wanted to do but didn't manage too.
What I,m trying to say here is nothing is easy,but to be motivated I think it needs to be something we want,not something we do just because we are widowed if that makes sense.Having said all that I have just got back from one of those trips,and still felt the sinking stomach and dread of the empty house but its much les intense and more shortlived than it used to be.