When Loss Arrives
Loss arrives uninvited, shifting our world in ways we never imagined. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a career, or even a version of ourselves, it can feel like the ground has been pulled from beneath us. In those moments, it’s hard to see anything but the emptiness left behind.
But what if the loss isn’t just an ending? What if, hidden within it, there is an opening—a doorway we never expected?
Loss Clears Space for Something New
It’s easy to focus on what’s missing, on what was taken. And while grief must be honored, so must the truth that loss often creates space—room we never intended to make, but room nonetheless. That space, painful as it may be, holds the possibility for something new to emerge.
The job that ended may make way for a calling you hadn’t yet considered.
The relationship that faded may open space for deeper self-connection or a new kind of love.
The version of yourself you mourn may be making room for a transformation you didn’t know you needed.
At first, it doesn’t feel like opportunity. It feels like survival. But somewhere along the way—if we allow it—a new door begins to form.
Recognizing the Door When It Appears
Loss can leave us staring at a closed door for so long that we don’t realize another one has cracked open. Recognizing it requires a shift—a willingness to see beyond the pain and into the potential.
You might begin by gently trying this:
Pause and acknowledge — Honor what you’ve lost, and also notice the space it has created.
Ask different questions — Instead of “Why did this happen?” try “What might this be making space for?”
Embrace uncertainty — The new door may not look like what you expected, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t leading somewhere meaningful.
Stepping Through the Door
The hardest part isn’t always seeing the opportunity—it’s trusting yourself enough to walk through it.
Let go of expectations. The opportunity may not look like what you planned, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good.
Take small steps. You don’t have to know everything before you begin.
Trust that you are being guided. Just because you didn’t choose this path doesn’t mean it can’t lead to something purposeful.
The Journey Continues
Loss is real, and so is healing. The journey doesn’t stop with what was lost—it continues with what is found next. Hope remains, even when we can’t always see it. And so do we.
If you find yourself staring at a closed door, breathe. Somewhere, another one is waiting. When you’re ready—walk through it.
A Gentle Reflection
💬 What’s a door you’ve walked through after a season of loss?
You may want to reflect or journal about what new opportunities might be quietly waiting for you.
If you’re finding your way through an ending, you may want to return to A Gentle Place to Begin.
Rita Lynn Berry, EdS, LCMHC, is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and the founder of NewVision Counseling and Consulting Services, PLLC. She is also the creator of the Journey to Me™ program and Mend n Muse Media™, where she shares tools and reflections that support healing, resilience, and self-love.