Grief Privilege. This is something I’ve been thinking about lately. And Mental Health Privilege. That too. ⁣⁣

When I began to slip into hypomania a couple of months ago, I let go of some responsibilities and obligations. I told people no after I told them yes. I told people it would take more time to give them what I had committed to giving them.⁣

Then my dad died so I backed away even more. I canceled all spiritual direction appointments with my clients for the rest of the month. I told people it would take even more time to give them what I was supposed to give them. I adjusted expectations about my book launch and book’s success because I don’t have the energy or capacity to do all of the things I wanted to do.⁣

I can chill in the hammock on my balcony all day if I want to. I don’t *have* to be anywhere or do anything or reply to anyone.⁣

I get to heal and grieve in the ways I want to heal and grieve because my family is financially secure without my income. Anything I bring in helps, of course, but we can manage without my income. ⁣

I want others to have the space and time to heal and grieve. But so many people don’t have this option. And the reasons I have this option aren’t only because of my hard work and my husband’s hard work. We have been in privileged positions our whole lives that have led to where we are now.⁣

This kind of curiosity about privilege can help form our political and financial decisions. What are some things we can do to use our various forms of privilege for the common good? What votes can we cast in support of our collective mental health? Which authors can we support on Patreon or Substack or through buying their books and buying more of their books for friends? Which organizations can we donate to? ⁣

How do we belong to people who are grieving? How do we belong to people who live with mental illness? How do we belong to people who haven’t been in positions of privilege their whole lives?⁣

I hope we can ponder theses questions and similar questions. I hope and pray God shows us how we belong to others and ways to use our privilege to care for, love, and support those to whom we belong.

Charlotte Donlon is a writer, a spiritual director for writers, and the founder and host of the Our Faith in Writing podcast and website. Charlotte’s writing and work are rooted in noticing how art helps us belong to ourselves, others, God, and the world. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Curator, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Catapult, The Millions, Mockingbird, and elsewhere. Her first book is The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. You can subscribe to her newsletter and connect with her onTwitter and Instagram.