Putting Your Mental Health First: Lessons from Illness and Why It Matters in Divorce and Grief - More Than You Think.

The truth about mental health, taking that leap of faith, and remembering who you are

When I moved to Thailand four months ago, I imagined a fresh start. I was ready for warm mornings, vibrant culture, adventure, and the excitement that comes with changing your life.

But soon after arriving, I faced an unexpected health challenge that slowly began to affect every part of my life.

It wasn’t the move that overwhelmed me—it was everything that followed.

What started as bronchitis quickly turned into pneumonia, then into a relentless sinus infection that affected everything: my cognitive ability, my clarity, my energy, and eventually, my mental health.

I’d wake up each day feeling foggy, confused, and dizzy. I lost track of appointments, left clothes in hotel wardrobes, and misplaced belongings. I even lost my taste, smell, and hearing. It was more than being unwell—it was like I couldn’t access myself.

And it went on for weeks. Then months.

I went back and forth to hospitals in both Bangkok and Koh Samui. X-rays. Medications. Endless consultations. But nothing was improving. Every time I hoped for answers, I left just as lost.

The healthcare system in Thailand is capable but different—and over time I started to notice a pattern: more treatments, more prescriptions, more bills… but little real progress. It began to feel less like healing and more like a business, and it was taking a heavy toll on my mental health.

Then came talk of a CT scan. And possible surgery. Under general anesthesia.

That was the moment I knew I had to take control.

We can’t heal by staying stuck in the same place

I booked a flight to Vietnam for a second opinion. I found an ENT specialist in Ho Chi Minh City and decided to try one more course of medication.

That decision changed everything.

Within a week, I started to feel like myself again.

But more than that—I remembered why I created Mending Hearts Retreat in the first place.

Because healing doesn’t just come from medicine. It comes from choosing yourself. From taking back your power and from giving yourself permission to stop waiting and start living again.

The retreat exists for people just like you

I created Mending Hearts as a space to feel seen, supported, and safe enough to begin again—whether you're healing from illness, divorce, grief, or the quiet loss of self that can happen after years of putting everyone else first.

Because we need more than time to heal.

We need space.We need clarity. And most of the time, to find those things, we need to step out of our comfort zone and into something completely new.

That’s what the retreat gives you.

It’s not just a break—it’s a bridge. A space where you can reflect, reconnect, and rebuild.

You’ll gain confidence. You’ll remember your strength. You’ll stop feeling so alone in your pain. You’ll find your way forward but with confidence, not fear.

Why Healing Alone After Divorce and Grieving Doesn’t Work

When you're grieving or recovering from divorce, the instinct is often to withdraw. To stay home. To wait it out. To try and piece yourself back together quietly.

But isolation can be one of the most damaging responses to emotional pain.

No one is coming to save you. And the truth is—you don’t need saving. You just need support.

You need to be seen. You need to be heard. You need to be held in a space where others understand what you’re going through—because they’ve been through it too.

Surrounding yourself with the right kind of people is the first step toward remembering who you really are.

I know, because I’ve lived it. Always caring. Always giving. Always putting myself last.

But when my health broke down in Thailand, I had no choice but to stop. To reflect. And to

take back control. After all, I'm the one in charge of ME.

We deserve peace. We deserve connection. We deserve to feel ourselves again and be happy again.

That’s exactly why I created Mending Hearts Retreat so that you don't have to feel isolated in your healing and can look at it as an opportunity for a positive change in your life and mental health.

And maybe, just maybe… It’s meant for you.

Mending Hearts Retreat Morocco, September 30-October 06 2025

If you are ready to make that step into your next chapter find out more by clicking the button below:

FIND OUT MORE