Gentle reminders

Photography by Katie Lawman @lawmanandco

1 week ago, an incredibly smart, kind and bubbly friend of mine took his own life. Those words still don’t feel real to me, and I don’t think they ever will. I miss my friend very much, and my heart aches knowing he was in so much pain that he wanted to leave, but his passing has given me some very important reminders about life

Life is fragile, unpredictable, and far too short to waste on things that don’t truly matter

Since his passing, I’ve found myself reflecting on what’s truly important. On how often we put things off, waiting for the “right” time to do the things that light us up. On how much energy we give to people, habits, or situations that don’t serve us, instead of making room for joy, connection, and gratitude

Losing someone you love makes the little things feel so big. The warmth of the sun on your face. A laugh with a friend. The quiet comfort of being at home. The things we often overlook are the ones we miss most when life shifts suddenly

This experience has reminded me to:

Choose joy, daily. Even if in the smallest of moments, it’s so easy to live life on auto pilot, stressing about day to day things. But when you really stop to think about it, there is more beauty in this world than we give credit to and it’s imperative that we find it

Release what no longer serves you. Life is too precious to carry unnecessary weight. I’ve realised all grudges I’ve ever held would immediately be forgiven if the other person were to pass away, because none of it ever really matters in comparison to human life, so why bother holding onto it in the first place

Be grateful for what you have. If you’re alive, you have something to be grateful for. Tell the people you love how much they mean to you and don’t let anything hold you back from loving with your whole heart

I’m not a perfect person, and I definitely don’t have all the answers. I just know that losing my friend has been a powerful reminder that this one life is all we have, and it deserves to be lived fully, with openness, presence, and love. So. Much. Love

Choose joy, let go, and be grateful

In his honour. Bright like the sun, as shiny as alll the stars