One of the most surreal things I’ve learned since my daughter, Lil, has passed is that I can hold two or more opposing emotions at the same time. I can be happy and sad, while being angry and still find myself laughing. I can rage at the universe while also appreciating the strange, bittersweet moments life offers. Why Do Grief and Happiness Coexist? These contradictory emotions—feeling joy and sadness at once—are known as emotional ambivalence. It’s a natural and complex part of human psychology, especially in grief and healing. How It Happens Our emotions are complex; they exist on a spectrum and can coexist, even when they seem contradictory. This is why you might feel joy and sorrow in the same moment—because one part of you is experiencing something pleasurable, while another part holds onto loss or pain. The Bittersweet Reality of Family Moments For example, this week, my son and daughter came home from college for a few days. The four of us were together, and I cherished every m...
I’m Elizabeth Candy—a mother, writer, and seeker. Life After Lil was born from the ache of losing my daughter, Lily, in 2022. I write to honor her light and create space for grief, healing, and truth. My work has been featured in The Keepthings, Motherwell and Tiny Buddha.
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