On February 23rd, 2026, the city of Leiden became a vibrant hub for reflection and dialogue as the One Life Many Endings project hosted its latest workshop. Bringing together a dedicated group of youth workers and local young people, the event focused on the inevitability of transitions and the emotional landscapes we navigate when things come to a close. The atmosphere was one of shared vulnerability and mutual growth, bridging the gap between professional support systems and the lived experiences of the city’s youth.

The centerpiece of the day was an influential session facilitated by Sarah and Hanna, who skillfully adapted complex theoretical frameworks into relatable, actionable insights. Their presentation centered on the Stages of Ending, a core concept previously developed and refined by the project consortium during their mobility in Italy. By bringing these international findings to a local level, they provided participants with a roadmap for understanding the cycle of closure—not just as a final stop, but as a necessary precursor to new beginnings.

Throughout the session, the youth workers and local youth engaged in deep discussions about how these stages manifest in daily life, from the end of educational chapters to the shifting of personal relationships. Sarah and Hanna’s facilitation ensured that the Italian consortium’s research wasn’t just passive information, but a living tool for building resilience. The workshop highlighted the importance of acknowledging the “messy middle” of endings, encouraging participants to sit with the discomfort of transition rather than rushing toward a resolution.

By the close of the afternoon, the Leiden workshop had successfully localized a global conversation. The collaboration between the project partners and the local community underscored a central theme of the initiative: while endings are universal, the way we support one another through them defines the strength of our community. Participants left with a strengthened vocabulary for loss and change, better equipped to navigate the many “endings” that shape a single life.