How to Move Beyond Grief After Losing a Loved One? Psychologists Reveal the "Meaning-Making" Process of Spiritual Reconstruction

How to Move Beyond Grief After Losing a Loved One? Psychologists Reveal the "Meaning-Making" Process of Spiritual Reconstruction

The Pain of Losing a Loved One

"I'm still trying to let go—the departure of my loved one feels like a deep crack, bringing immense shock and endless sorrow to the living." This is the shared sentiment of many who have experienced the loss of a loved one.

Behind the grief, people often unconsciously engage in a psychological process called "meaning-making," attempting to find explanations for their loved one's passing that align with their worldview and values, thereby achieving inner peace and tranquility.

What Is Meaning-Making?

Meaning-making is a natural psychological process that occurs when people face significant life events, especially traumatic events like losing a loved one. It helps us understand why this event happened and what it means for our lives.

When someone's death shatters our existing cognitions and beliefs, meaning-making becomes particularly important. For example, when a child dies young or a loved one passes by suicide, these unexpected events often contradict what we consider the "normal order" of the world, triggering profound meaning crises.

Impact of Different Death Circumstances

For loved ones who pass away in old age due to long-term illness, their departure seems more "conventional." How do people engage in meaning-making in such situations?

Research shows that even "normal" deaths require meaning-making to understand and cope with this heavy blow. This psychological process helps us accept reality and find courage to continue living.

Digital Storytelling Method

American research teams have been exploring digital storytelling as a method to help bereaved individuals with meaning-making. They collaborate with bereaved individuals, allowing them to tell their stories through multimedia formats.

This method enables bereaved individuals to express their emotions and experiences more richly, thus better understanding and accepting the fact of their loved one's passing.

Spiritual Reconstruction Advice

1. Allow Yourself to Grieve

Grief is a normal emotional response—don't suppress your feelings. Give yourself sufficient time to face and accept the reality of losing a loved one.

2. Find Support Systems

Share your feelings with family, friends, or professional psychological counselors—don't bear grief alone.

3. Create Memorial Methods

Help maintain emotional connections with the deceased through journaling, organizing photos, or creating memorial items.

4. Redefine Life Meaning

Reflect on what your loved one's passing means for your life, finding motivation and direction to move forward.

5. Give Yourself Time

Spiritual reconstruction is a gradual process—don't rush, give yourself enough time to adapt to new life circumstances.

Summary and Insights

Losing a loved one is one of life's most difficult challenges, but through the meaning-making process, we can gradually find inner peace. Everyone grieves differently—what matters is finding the spiritual reconstruction path that suits you.

Remember, grief isn't the endpoint but a new beginning for re-understanding life's meaning.