Trigger warning: Mention of postpartum depression and loss of a loved one.
“Watching my dad die was sacred but it was traumatic. The process was so quick and it was traumatic. Having people who care about me sit and listen to the whole story and weep with me; that was so healing. They loved me so much that they are willing to enter my pain.”
Grief is an alternative universe and there is no rule book for it. Perhaps all we can do is take it one breath at a time. Olive Chan learned this lesson last year when she suddenly lost her dad. This is her story of learning to navigate the painful, yet incredible journey of grief.
Books mentioned in this conversation: Getting to the Other Side of Grief by Robert C. De Vries.
Olive’s art: https://www.instagram.com/olivechanart/
SheLoves posts by Olive: https://shelovesmagazine.com/author/olivechan/
About Olive:
Olive is a friendly introvert and recovering perfectionist. In an ideal day, she would paint, eat chocolate croissants and knit. In reality, she spends most of her time taking care of and creating with her two daughters. She has co-written two books with her husband, Tim, and also works with him on their company, Coracle Marketing. A contemplative at heart, she hopes to be a spiritual director some day. If she had to sum up her life, it would be this: to be a conduit of beauty, an advocate for rest, and a practitioner of grace. A painter of skies, she posts her artwork on Instagram @olivechanart.
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ABOUT SISTERS IN MENTAL ILLNESS:
One in four people struggle with a mental health disorder in our world. Sisters in Mental Illness is a vlog series where Shaley Hoogendoorn has real conversations with brave SheLovelys who are willing to share their experience of living with a mental illness. We will share ALL the stories—stories of sadness, madness, shame and struggle. The more we talk about hard things like mental health, the better we can understand and walk with and alongside our Sisters in Mental Illness. We can remind each other that our stories are not over yet. Together we can smash the stigma and stereotypes of mental illness, ONE story at a time.
Email subscribers, please click through to the website to watch the video.
If you are struggling with any mental health issues, we hope you will reach out and seek professional help.
The views, information, or opinions expressed during this series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of SheLoves Magazine.
Shaley Hoogendoorn is a speaker, vlogger and mental health advocate who aims to dismantle the stigma around mental health and create a safe community for those that struggle. She lives with bipolar ll, and is passionate about educating and empowering others about mental health disorders. She talks to other women about living with mental illnesses at SheLoves Magazine in a monthly segment named “Sisters in Mental Illness.” Shaley is also an elementary school teacher and an event planner. You can connect with her on instagram @messybeautywithshaley and Facebook @ Messy Beauty with Shaley.
The post Sisters In Mental Illness: When You Lose A Parent (featuring Olive Chan) appeared first on SheLoves Magazine.
