Last week, I shared the idea that an event does not come with inherent meaning attached to it. Instead, we craft meaning ourselves, often slowly and with great care. Many of you reached out, wondering where to even begin with that process.
Meaning-making can feel daunting—especially when you are still tender from what you’ve been through. It’s important to remember that meaning-making is a later stage in the grieving process. There is absolutely no need to push yourself into it prematurely. In fact, trying to assign meaning too soon can interrupt healing rather than support it.
For now, notice where you are. Be patient. Give yourself full permission to grieve what is past before you attempt to define its purpose.
If you feel ready to take a few gentle steps forward, the following prompts can help guide you into reflection. Below are expanded and deepened prompts that invite nuance, self-compassion, and perspective-taking:
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