When Pain Speaks, Art Listens - The Journey of Learning

Lately, I’ve been sifting through a tapestry of my past creations—a visual diary of emotion, memory, and transformation.

This painting—I Choose to Let You Go—came from one of the most painful chapters of my life. I created it in the wake of a 36-year relationship ending, when the silence of being alone felt deafening. The pain of being with myself reminded me of my teenage years, when I had lost all hope.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or aching, I want you to know: you’re not alone.

What I discovered in that darkness is something I now offer to you—as adults, we have the power to choose!

The fearful stories in your head may scream louder than truth, but when you pause and ask, What else could be true? Something begins to shift.

In that space, I found the gift of choice—the gift to choose peace, joy, and love in the now, even when it felt impossible.

And you can too.

I cried. I allowed it. I gave the tears a container. Then I did what was hard—

I walked. Out into nature. Into beauty. Into gratitude. And slowly, the pain softened.

I began to create. I began to play. Not to achieve, but to release. To move energy. To remember who I am beyond the pain.

This piece reminds me—and maybe it will remind you too: fear loses its grip when we remember we have the power to choose.

You are not powerless. You are healing. You are becoming.

So let yourself feel. Be kind. Be patient. Take one small step. And when you’re ready, Connect to nature and Create and Play.

Scribble. Dance. Paint. Sing. Let your soul speak in colour and movement.

Why? Because you deserve to be happy in the now and you are stronger than you think.

I invite you to be aware... You have the choice and power to let the fear go. 

If this painting resonates with you, or helped you anyway, send me a message. I would love to hear from you.

With Gratitude 

Nathalie Le Riche