Closure. An overused term?

Have you ever felt a lingering sadness over an event from your past? A grief so deep it feels like a part of you, no matter how much time passes? Does “getting closure” really mean the pain will vanish, or is it simply a well-meaning phrase we use to console ourselves and others?

When it comes to human suffering, the idea of closure can be misleading. Unlike a court case or a medical diagnosis that can be “resolved,” emotional experiences often don’t have a definitive end. Memories linger, wounds leave scars, and feelings like guilt, anger, or sadness may fade but rarely disappear entirely.

Instead of seeking closure, what if we sought peace? Healing doesn’t mean erasing the past or forgetting what happened—it means learning to live fully in the present despite it. While the emotional intensity may diminish, and the grip of the past on our current lives might loosen, the experiences remain a part of us.

True healing involves reaching a place where the past no longer holds us hostage. It’s not about stopping the pain entirely but about moving forward with it in a way that empowers us to live without dysfunction. Life isn’t about closing chapters as much as it is about integrating them into our story.

Perhaps the next time we search for “closure,” we should instead ask: Can I find peace with this? Can I carry it without letting it weigh me down?