How Gen Z Is Using Digital Storytelling to Process Grief and Build Careers

Digital platforms are providing a new way for young people to process and share their experiences with grief. As reported by El Español, the story of Alejandro Joudieh shows how a personal tragedy can become a driving force for a professional career, turning a childhood promise into a documentary recently screened at the Canarias Surf Film Festival.

Joudieh’s journey began three years ago when his childhood friend, Patrick, was killed after being struck by a vehicle. The tragedy, which occurred while Joudieh was in Mallorca, was a major turning point in his life. After struggling to cope, he decided to channel his grief into creating the kind of audiovisual content he and Patrick had dreamed of making since they were eight years old.

As he entered adulthood, Joudieh took his passion to a professional level. He traveled alone to Indonesia—a world-famous destination for bodyboarding—to document his experiences and honor the commitment he made to his friend. By stepping away from his usual social circle and investing his own resources, he found success online, gaining over a million interactions on TikTok and building a community of 13,000 followers on Instagram.

Joudieh’s story is part of a growing trend among Generation Z: using digital storytelling to manage emotions. Psychologists note that expressing trauma through creative projects can help people process grief and find constructive meaning in their loss. His message—that we should pursue our goals despite life’s uncertainties—has resonated with an audience tired of the artificial content often found on social media.

Following the success of his first film in Adeje, the Tenerife native is already planning his next project. He is preparing for an expedition to Norway to document a dive with orcas, turning a path that began in tragedy into a sustainable and inspiring career.