In preparing for the loss of a cherished loved one, it is helpful to develop the ability to face and experience one’s own grief without trying to artificially fill or suppress it.

Embracing Loss: Navigating Grief and Healing

In preparing for the loss of a cherished loved one, it is helpful to develop the ability to face and experience one’s own grief without trying to artificially fill or suppress it. In particular, it is important to realize that the pain of loss is an integral part of deep human emotions and love. One should strive not to run away from the emptiness and melancholy but to allow oneself the opportunity to confront it and fully experience the range of emotions. This requires courage, for true acceptance of loss involves not only intellectual understanding but also the emotional experience of suffering as a vital aspect of life.

For example, one source writes the following:
"We have been left by a person – and now no one remains to affirm our highest value… We must be ready to confront grief, sorrow, to face everything that happens within us… We must be ready to accept that love may also be expressed through suffering…" (source: link txt).

Another text emphasizes that hiding from grief and avoiding openly expressing one’s pain is a mistaken approach that can only complicate matters in the future. According to the author:
"Sometimes acquaintances advise relatives: 'You need not go to the funeral.' … You cannot hide from grief; it must be experienced. Grief must be accepted and deeply felt…" (source: link txt).

It is also noted that acknowledging one’s own emotions and pain helps initiate the healing process, as only by giving space to these feelings can a person gradually restore their mental equilibrium:
"Recognizing and accepting pain allows the healing process to begin. It is important to make room for it in life, because although the soul may be veiled, it is not interrupted." (source: link txt).

Thus, psychological strategies for preparing for loss include:
1. The readiness to accept and experience the full spectrum of grief without trying to artificially fill the ensuing void.
2. Openness in expressing emotions and a refusal to suppress pain (for instance, by avoiding farewell rituals).
3. The acknowledgment that experiencing suffering is an expression of deep love, and accepting it is a crucial step on the journey to inner healing.

These approaches help in mentally preparing for loss, allowing one to maintain a genuine sense of closeness and respect for the departed, as well as fostering resilience in the face of life's inevitable losses.