Loss

“Mostly it is loss which teaches us about the worth of things.”

Arthur Schopenhauer

Arthur wrote this line sometime in the 1800's. Joni Mitchell seemed to be on the same page as Arthur when she wrote and sung the lyric in the song 'Big Yellow Taxi' in the 1960's

“Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got till it's gone.”

Joni Mitchell

Loss is an inevitable part of our lives. We typically think (and wish) that what we have today, we will have tomorrow. However, life is constantly changing, all things are slowly decaying, and it is just a matter of time before all things break down around us and cease to exist.

We get comfortable and feel secure when things are predictable and safe, and when change and loss occur, it causes us significant distress and anxiety. However, we cannot prevent loss. What we can do is accept loss as a natural part of life and live with it. We cannot avoid the pain that loss brings, but we may reduce the suffering loss causes through connection with others and acceptance.

If you are having problems coming to terms with change, loss, and grief, then existential therapy may be helpful.