Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Ohlemiller.

Hi Chelsea, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I never envisioned myself as a writer or someone who would occupy the grief space. However, that all changed in 2017 when my mother passed away at the age of 57. Suddenly everything was different. I was different and so was the world around me.

To process my pain and the chaos that stirred inside my soul I started writing. I let every emotion and experience loose onto the page/screen, with the only hope to heal and to say the things I wanted to say, without making others uncomfortable. I learned quickly after my mother died that pain and heartbreak, especially when tied to death, makes people extremely uncomfortable.

After leaving my teaching career and taking time to process what my future would look like, now void of the women who created me, I gained the courage to share those delicate and vulnerable writings online. I had no expectation at that time, only fear for what others might say about my most sensitive spaces of who I was and who grief had led me to become.

Now, years later, my platform has grown to over 120,000 souls that have experienced some type of profound loss. Because of each one of them showing up and reading my heart’s words, I was able to publish my first book, which comes out in August.

A lot of people try to say my story is full of strength and resilience, but really, I think it’s more about truth and vulnerability to share my weakest moments, my toughest times, and show that life still holds beauty. I think my story is mostly about a constant pursuit of healing– to seek light when all I see is darkness, and urge others to do the same.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Writing and grief both have immense challenges. There are always obstacles and storms that come, the positive aspect is that they don’t stay forever.

In grief my biggest obstacle has been waking up each day to face the same reality, while my heart is desperately wishing things were different and that I had the capability to change things. It’s hard to know you’ll hold this pain forever while also knowing that it can show up, without warning, knocking you to your knees in ache and longing. People often say that grief has stages, but really, I’ve found it’s like a web of ups and downs, conflicting emotions, and everything in between. Grief is like riding a roller coaster in the fog, you know there are huge climbs and huge falls, but you can’t always see them coming.

There is no smooth road in grief– only a road that is constantly under construction. Some days I find that I’m in charge of the restructure and mending. Other days it’s as if there are forces beyond me in charge, and I’m simply a bystander to the work. The hope I find is that while grief is powerful and profound, it is survivable.

With writing, I’ve struggled with the same challenges that most writers face– the feeling of unworthiness and the rejections. What gets me through those struggles is to remember that if I help one person, just one, then my words matter. If I can strive every day to make my mother proud and to help others feel less alone, then I have achieved something great and that is good with me.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m most known for my social media platforms and blog, Happiness, Hope & Harsh Realities. My first book titled, “Now That She’s Gone” will be released in August, just a few weeks away. My essays have been featured in places such as, the national bestseller “So God Made a Mother” and two Chicken Soup for the Soul books. I’ve also been published online by platforms such as Her View From Home, Christianity.com, (in)courage, Love What Matters, Scary Mommy and more.

So what is it that I do? I write. I feel. I observe. And then I turn it into something others can relate to. I take moments of grief and put it into words that make you think, make you feel, and hopefully remind you that you’re not alone.

I always call my essays and words my heart’s work because that’s truly what it feels like. I pour my heart and soul onto the screen in hopes of releasing my ache, while fiercely hoping I can make someone else feel seen and understood. As a writer, it’s not always easy to share your stories with the world, regardless of how it might look once a piece is posted, but sometimes I feel like I’m being gifted the words, like they’ve been given to me with a specific purpose to share with others. And I make it my goal to listen. So I write and I share and I hope that it reaches the people that need it.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Oh this is a good question! It depends on who you ask. (ha!)

I grew up in a small town in central Indiana, and my husband always reminds me that I have those roots still inside of me– especially when I’m walking around barefoot or doing something else us small-towners do. As a young girl I was spunky and charismatic and full of energy. I talked a lot and always found it hard to sit still. I’m still a little like that today.

I had a typical and blessed childhood, raised by my parents. I was taught the power of faith and love from a small age. I learned the value of family and to prioritize people over things. I had a father that taught us how to laugh and a mother that showed us the way love could be infinite and unwavering.

Now, I’m not too much different. I’m still emotional and sarcastic. I’m also a sappy romantic, book collector, and person who wears my heart on my sleeve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hopeandharshrealities.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hopeandharshrealities
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeandharshrealities/
• Other: https://hopeandharshrealities.com/book/