Reading · Grieve Fully, Live Fully

A ray of sunshine — that’s how it felt to learn that Grieve Fully, Live Fully had been nominated not once, but twice, for the Sunshine Blogger Award! My most heartfelt thanks to Christine Wolf & Kimble Luu for placing their trust in me and my writing.

When I first heard about this peer-recognition initiative, it struck me how special it truly is. Writers lifting each other up, celebrating kindness, creativity, and hope. It’s such a beautiful reminder that the words we send into the world can ripple out further than we realise.

I’m incredibly grateful to be part of this circle of light. Being nominated while writing about something as tender — and let’s be honest, as unglamorous — as grief feels especially meaningful. It shows me that when we share our hardest truths, we don’t just carry pain; we carry light and connection too.

Hi, I’m Ruhie! Writer, doctor, mum, grief advocate & caffeine enthusiast. If you’re new here, welcome to Grieve Fully, Live Fully — a space for honest, heartfelt reflections on grief, growth, and the messy, beautiful middle of being human. Whether you’re navigating loss, facing life’s uncertainties and challenges, or simply seeking a little hope, you’re not alone.

So what does this award involve?

Well, Sunshine Bloggers are invited to answer a series of fun questions — kind of like a little “get to know you” challenge. So you might discover something about me that surprises you… and who knows, it might even spark a few insights about yourself along the way! If you feel like it, I’d love for you to share your answers to your favourite questions in the comments.

The Award Rules are included at the end, along with a list of fellow writers I’ve chosen to nominate for the award. They all produce fantastic newsletters and I’m really excited for you to discover their work too.

Let’s dive in!

I write about grief and what it means to live a life of connection, presence, and meaning. I explore how we navigate loss, honour the people we love, and still find moments of joy, even when life feels heavy.

Because I learnt the hard way that grief can be incredible isolating, and I want others to feel seen, understood, and less alone in their own journeys.
Because our world often shies away from difficult conversations, treating grief like something we should ‘get over’ or hide, even though it touches all of us at some point.
Because losing someone I love reminded me not to take life, or the people I care about, for granted.
Because I think we can find strength, purpose, and even hope, through life’s hardest moments.
Because grief has been one of my greatest teachers — pushing me to pause, reflect, and ask myself what truly matters.

I believe grief is not something you ever ‘get over’ or ‘move on’ from. Love doesn’t just disappear when someone dies — and because we keep loving them, we keep missing them. Grief changes shape, but it doesn’t go away. It’s something we learn to live with, and over time, grow around.
I believe that vulnerability, honesty, and showing emotion are strengths, not weaknesses, even if our culture often frames them as something to avoid.
I believe that even in the midst of loss, life can still be joyful, meaningful, and rich — and that pursuing joy does not dishonour the person we’ve lost; it in fact carries their legacy forward.

More time! To do all the things I want, chase all the plans/ideas/projects on my heart, make a dent in the never-ending to-do list… But also time to pause, take a breather, maybe take a nap, and truly rest and recharge. There’s so much to do, so little time! If only I could clone myself…

My morning routine has become sacred. It’s not elaborate or time-consuming. Just ten precious minutes of “me” time before I shift into mum/doctor/home CEO mode:

Some gentle stretches in bed to shake off the stiffness and energise me.
A short deep-breathing meditation to centre myself and set the tone for the day.
A moment of gratitude. I used to journal, but it took too long and by then the kids were usually awake. Now I just pause and think of one thing I’m truly grateful for before getting out of bed.
Drink a big glass of water for some much-needed hydration — and if I’ve managed all of that, I’m winning.
The cherry on top is skincare, a hot cup of coffee, and cuddles with the kiddos.

I feel most alive when I’m playing with my kids, fully immersed in the moment. As grown-ups with busy lives and endless responsibilities, it’s so easy to be stuck in our heads or constantly rushing, but children have this remarkable gift of pulling you into the present. Whether we’re at the park, building cubby houses, having dance parties, laughing until our sides hurt, or playing ‘keepy uppy’ like in Bluey, their joy is infectious and reminds me to really savour these precious moments.

I’m still learning to accept that life doesn’t always go according to plan, and that control is mostly an illusion. Losing my dad, especially as a doctor who’s meant to help people, reminded me in the most profound way that some things are simply beyond our control. As someone who tends to overthink, over-plan, and chase perfection, this is a lesson I revisit every day — learning to loosen my grip, make peace with uncertainty, and accept that I don’t have to control everything to keep living fully.

This is such a good question and one I think about often! I really believe taking some time to reflect on the legacy we hope to leave behind guides the way we live, the values we uphold, and where we choose to pour our energy.

I’d like to be remembered as someone who showed up to life and my relationships with honesty and heart — who didn’t shy away from the tough stuff, whether about grief, parenting, emotional wellbeing, or just the curveballs life throws at us. Someone whose willingness to face the hard conversations made it easier for others to share their own stories and feel truly heard.

Alongside that, I hope to be remembered for living wholeheartedly and inspiring others to do the same. To me, there’s no greater legacy than encouraging one another to make the most of the time we’re given.

A mum and wife.

A daughter and sister.

A friend, cousin, aunt — someone deeply rooted in family and community.

A passionate advocate for grief and the MND/ALS community.

Also a compulsive planner, time-poor but determined reader, and caffeine enthusiast!

Aside from going on family adventures, writing and reading are definitely my favourite hobbies. It’s my way of making sense of the world, exploring ideas and emotions, and connecting with others. Writing is where I feel most myself.

Journeying to some incredible destinations has shown me just how vast, extraordinary, and full of beauty the world really is. It’s impossible to pick just one! Scuba diving in Fiji, admiring the stunning turquoise waters of Gozo in Malta, safaris in East Africa, and white-water rafting in crocodile-infested rivers of tropical north Queensland are some of the highlights.

There are so many places I hope to travel to, but Europe and South America are at the top of my list. I can’t wait to soak up the vibrant cultures, diverse landscapes, and rich histories these regions have to offer. For now, our adventures revolve around three little humans — and as they grow, so will the destinations we explore.

Easy — my Dad. Hands down. I would give anything for one more conversation with him, to hear his voice, share a laugh, and soak in his wisdom just one more time.

I can’t say I’m a hardcore fan of any one artist — my taste is more of an eclectic mix, often just random songs that speak to me in the moment. But over the years, some favourites have stuck: Queen (always), Backstreet Boys (forever nostalgic), Spice Girls (all for girl power), Stevie Wonder, Ed Sheeran, Post Malone… and lately, thanks to my kids, I’ve found myself blasting the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack!

Too many to name! My favourites are a pretty random mix:

Lord of the Rings trilogy
Star Wars (Episode IV-VI)
The Hunger Games series
I am Sam
A Few Good Men
Dead Poets Society
The Lion King
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

See? There’s no pattern! Honestly I could keep going, but I’ll spare you…

(You keep trying to pin me down to one answer, but I refuse!)

This is such a tough question because there are so many writers I admire for different reasons.

Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven, for the way he weaves simple stories into timeless, thought-provoking lessons about love, loss, and purpose. His books were the first that made me pause and and reflect on what makes a life well-lived.
Harper Lee who wrote one of my all-time favourites, To Kill a Mockingbird, which challenged me to question societal values, prejudice, and justice in my formative years.
I enjoy page-turning domestic suspense novels by Sally Hepworth and Liane Moriarty.
Paul Kalanithi, whose memoir When Breath Becomes Air struck me to my core — as both a doctor and someone who has experienced loss, his reflections on mortality, meaning, and what it means to truly live resonated deeply with me.

I’m so honoured to shine a light on some of my favourites writers on Substack! Their work (if you haven’t already discovered it) will leave you feeling inspired, challenged (in a good way), and profoundly moved. Here are my Sunshine Blogger Award picks:

Brooke Warner — Writerly Things

An incredible guide for anyone navigating the world of writing and publishing. Brooke is very experienced and knowledgeable, delving into the ins and outs of the publishing industry while giving authors clarity and confidence to keep going. I did her six-month memoir-writing program in 2023 and then worked with her to complete my first draft. Her encouragement and insight didn’t just help me finish, they reminded me why I write in the first place.

Dan Blank — The Creative Shift

Dan helps writers connect with their readers in a really human, deeply thoughtful way. I had the privilege of working with him when launching my Substack, and am so thankful for his support and guidance. His weekly newsletter is packed with advice, inspiration, and motivation to keep creating in a way that feels sustainable and truly fulfilling.

Tiffany Chu — Periphery & Untangling

Her writing about life, loss, and being human are both raw and incredibly beautiful. As someone who has experienced deep personal loss, I felt an immediate connection to her writing. Tiffany was one of the first people on Substack to make me feel wholeheartedly welcome, and I’m endlessly grateful for the warmth, insight, and encouragement she always shares with other writers.

Jeannie Ewing — I Grow Strong Again

A writer with a rare gift for crafting work that feels like a breath of fresh air while inviting deep reflection on humanity, grief, and resilience. Jeannie genuinely lifts up other writers with her generosity and wisdom, sharing her experiences with openness and hope, even in the hardest moments.

Chris Anselmo — Hello, Adversity

Chris writes with authenticity, courage, and humour about living with a rare neuromuscular disease. We connected straight away over our shared experiences with neurological illness (my dad had ALS/MND). His writing is full of heart, hope, and encouragement. He has this rare ability to make you feel inspired, seen, and even laugh while reflecting on some of life’s toughest realities.

Dina Bell-Laroche — The Grieving Place

Her insights into grief are profoundly moving, honest, and inspiring. Every time I read her writing, I feel truly seen and understood. She has a gift for holding space for the feelings we often struggle to put into words, and reminds us that no one has to navigate loss alone.

Christine Wolf — Writers’ Haven

I had the pleasure of meeting Christine in Brooke’s memoir program, and I instantly loved her writing style and insights. She writes with such warmth, nuance, and an openness that encourages other writers to dive into their own stories in the same way.

Claire Tak — Memoir Junkee Someday Author

Another writing program buddy! Claire’s personal story and storytelling are deeply moving. She blends honesty, vulnerability, and practical insights about writing and creating sustainably in a way that motivates and inspires other writers.

Heidi Tai — Letters from Heidi

Her poetry and reflections on family, culture, and identity are just gorgeous to read and resonate deeply with me as someone who shares a similar background and values. Her writing is exquisite, heartfelt, and a true delight to read. Heidi and I were friends back in high school and reconnecting with her after so many years has been an absolute joy.

Display the Award’s official logo somewhere on your blog
Thank the person who nominated you & link back to their blog
Answer your nominator’s questions
Nominate up to 11 fellow writers

Thank you for being here and supporting my work. I am truly grateful!

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#45 Nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award!

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