Finding Meaning & Purpose in Grief

An intense part of life after loss comes after the shock starts to wear off when you’re filled with questions. What’s next? How did this happen? Who am I without them? What do I do now?

A few thoughts to help you stay curious about the journey ahead:

What has grief taught you? Grief can be a great teacher if we choose to listen.
What have you learned about yourself?
Making meaning out of loss is different than understanding. You don’t need to understand why someone died in order to find meaning. Meaning is what YOU make happen.
Grief can lead to greater connection:
“You may find meaning in [the death, the loss, the event, the life of the person you loved, or in your own life], which will lead you to deeper questions and deeper answers. Maybe your meaning will come by finding rituals that commemorate your loved ones life, or by offering some kind of contribution that will honor that person. Or the loss of your loved one may cause you deeper your connection to those who are still with you, or to invite back into your life people from whom you’ve been estranged. Or it may give you a heightened sense of the beauty of the life we are all so privileged to have as long as we remain on this earth.” David Kessler

It’s an unsettling feeling to have more questions than answers, but asking the questions and choosing to be curious are two vital steps in the healing process. We’ve compiled some of our favorite resources about finding meaning and purpose after grief.

Have something to add? Respond to this email and let us know about your favorite books, resources, and quotes!