Written by Tatjana Gaspar, Coach, Consultant & Author
Tatjana Gaspar is a certified Systemic Coach and Online Trainer who uses methods that focus on the clients’ individual goals, thus aiming at improving their business or life situation. She is also the CEO of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland, where she organizes events, hosts webinars and is responsible for operational and financial issues.
Can you believe that we have reached the middle of this decade? Five years ago, the world was about to experience the first shockwave of the greatest pandemic in 100 years. It seems like yesterday! Since then, we have been constantly confronted with images of disasters, man-made or otherwise, not to mention countless individual tragedies and challenges that we’ve had to deal with. How do we cope? Where do we find balance? What inner mechanism drives us to move on?
Experiencing a major change or drama in life, whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a sudden shift in circumstances, or a personal crisis, can leave us feeling disoriented, shocked, or overwhelmed. Each person reacts to such disruption differently. Reorganizing your emotional life in the aftermath can be overwhelming, especially amidst urgent material matters that demand immediate attention and are crucial for regaining and maintaining stability.
Finding closure is a transformative process that lays the groundwork for opening a new chapter and rediscovering inspiration and motivation. Closure isn’t about erasing the past but rather coming to terms with it, acknowledging its impact, and integrating its lessons into your life. This process is vital for emotional, mental, and spiritual growth and involves key components such as patience, acceptance, gratitude, an open mind, self-compassion, and curiosity.
Many of us are masters of the art of compartmentalizing, piling up, and suppressing, perhaps a result of the multitasking culture we’ve come to idolize. When a year ends or another significant milestone approaches, we hope to find closure from the stress or challenges we’ve faced so we can look to the future with renewed confidence and recharged energy. Easier said than done when all we do is keep adding to our mental backpack without ever thinking of emptying it! Real closure can only happen when we experience inner peace and are ready to let go. It marks the end of a conscious change process, one that some embrace naturally and voluntarily, while others must learn step by step, often the hard way.
Ask yourself: Who or what helps you find closure? How and how often do you express gratitude for the important lessons in your life? What changes must you make to let go of pain, anger, regret, or old habits? What’s in your mental backpack that no longer belongs there?
A guide to navigating closure for your physical and mental well-being
1. Identify and secure a stable living environment that provides a physical and emotional safe space
This is where you can sort out your priorities, practice self-compassion, and remind yourself of the many reasons to be thankful. Gratitude is the cornerstone of finding closure. While adversity often brings pain and struggle, it also carries hidden lessons and opportunities for growth. By shifting your perspective to focus on what you have gained rather than what you have lost, you can transform bitterness into appreciation. Gratitude allows you to see how challenges have shaped your character, strengthened your resilience, and taught you invaluable life skills.
2. Surround yourself with positive, supportive individuals and avoid those who drain you
Practice listening, debating, and evaluating rather than insisting on your opinion. A healthy and respectful exchange is like a vitamin shot, it can lead to new motivation. When you are processing a recent difficult experience, it helps you in your healing process. On the other hand, if you are preparing to turn the page before embarking on a new personal or professional journey, getting someone else’s point of view can provide a fresh and out-of-the-box perspective.
3. Make it a habit to take "me time"
Prioritize activities that bring you comfort and make you happy, such as spending time in nature, engaging in sports and hobbies, or practicing mindfulness. All of these activities help to strengthen the body and mind. Streamlining your healing process toward closure requires time and effort, but it paves the way for renewed energy, clarity, and openness. A steady rhythm and regular practice, rather than extreme speed or excessive slowness, are usually more effective for the coping process.
4. Examine your thoughts and feelings closely
Journaling can be a valuable tool, helping you externalize and organize your emotions until you can recognize helpful patterns. Identify which thoughts and behaviors are constructive and which ones contribute to your distress. Holding on to rigid attitudes can hinder growth, while cultivating an open mind allows you to reframe your narrative, explore alternative viewpoints, and accept that life’s uncertainties can lead to unexpected opportunities. This sorting process is not about making quick decisions but about understanding where you stand.
5. Reflect deeply and humbly admit you haven’t always been your best self
It’s not wrong to reshape your beliefs and expectations, it proves your adaptability. Remember, nobody expects you to be perfect or to follow a straight upward path. Your edges reflect your character, and your track record makes you unique. An honest self-assessment is always a good starting point for improvement!
Closure is not the end of your story but a bridge to a new chapter of your life, a wiser and more authentic version of yourself. Without closure, we reach an emotional standstill, and that should never be an option!
If these five points resonate with you and help you find closure, then you are ready to move on and open new doors. It’s time to set your goals!
But that’s a topic for my next article, so stay tuned for more to come. Wishing you a happy and fulfilling New Year!
Tatjana Gaspar, Coach, Consultant & Author
Tatjana Gaspar is a certified systemic coach and online trainer who uses methods that focus on the clients’ individual goals, thus aiming at improving their business or life situation. She is also the CEO of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland, where she organizes events, hosts webinars and is responsible for operational and financial issues. Before coaching, she spent 20 years in international wealth management and leadership positions with different banks in Zurich. Initially, Tatjana obtained a degree in hispanic and russian literature and history from the University of Geneva. She is a firm believer in life-long learning and fluent in seven languages.
