Living with grief and the healing power of the ocean
Updated: Sep 4
5 years ago, I lost my Dad to suicide. Being 22 at the time, I found this grief very hard to process and felt shame in the fact that I wasn’t experiencing it in the way often talked about.
Each year since my Dad's death, I’ve organised a fundraiser in his memory. Last year, I organised Ocean Minded and whilst I’m proud of the outcome, it had a pretty negative impact on my own mental health.
This year, I’m out in Bonaire, so I made the decision not to organise a fundraiser and whilst it is the right decision for me, it is hard not to feel guilty about it. Organising these fundraisers has been a way for me to process my grief but also a way to create something positive in my Dad's memory.
I still wanted to find a way to honour him, so I thought I would share a little about my grief and how the ocean has kept me moving forward.
After losing my Dad, I remember my first week back working as a watersports instructor. It was really tough, but getting outside, being active and sharing my passion on a daily basis slowly brought me back to life.
A few months later, I went on a micro-adventure to the Jurassic Coast and did some cliff jumping. The beautiful scenery and time spent in the ocean reignited a joy for life that I hadn’t felt since my Dad's death.
Now I spend my life chasing more time in the ocean and trying to persuade others to do the same. The ocean has always been a place that’s healed me and looking back, I can connect the dots to see how it’s made living with grief a little lighter.
While I am not organising a fundraiser this year, the one from last year is still active. You can donate to Dorset Mind and help support others struggling with their mental health.
If you are struggling with grief or mental health, you are not alone.
Here are some great organisations:
