IN LOVING MEMORY OF SOPHIA | 2000-2023
THE SKETCHES
Welcome to a very special part of My Mayne Island.
Sophia was a lifelong artist and musician. She was endlessly creative, deeply talented, and passionate about expressing herself through her work. Her creativity was a constant thread throughout her life, but this 9-page wellness project holds a deeply sacred place in my heart, as it represents the last pieces she created.
Created while studying to become a Community Support Worker at Vancouver Island University, these drawings reflect her profound empathy and her gentle vision for helping others through difficult times. Out of all her art, I felt these specific pages had the power to make a real impact, spreading comfort and kindness while honoring her memory.
Below, you can explore all nine pages of her collection. We will be bringing these drawings to life across different items in the Little Shop, releasing them page by page as small, dedicated collections with all the profits going to our Littles for Littles initiative.
Photo: Sophia (bottom) & her close friend, Candyce 2017
PAGE 1
Emergency Self-Care Plan
Sophia’s Things to Remember:
- It's okay to feel overwhelmed.
- You are intelligent even when you make mistakes.
- It's okay to leave a situation if you're feeling unsafe.
- You are a kind person and deserve to receive kindness.
- It's okay to reach out when you are struggling.
page 2
Physical Wellness
Sophia's Ways to Avoid Barriers:
- Keep nutritious food in the home.
- Set a consistent sleep schedule.
- Put money aside for optical care (or other personal care need).
- Keep medication in an accessible. location that can be checked regularly.
PAGE 3
Spiritual Wellness
Sophia's Ways to Avoid Barriers:
- Practice empathy.
- Honour personal values.
PAGE 4
Social Wellness
Sophia's Ways to Avoid Barriers:
- Have a conversation with someone outside your home every day.
- Find community groups relevant to your interests.
- Check in with friends.
- Make an effort to chat with new people.
PAGE 5
Emotional Wellness
Sophia's Ways to Avoid Barriers:
- Commit to regular therapy sessions.
- Identify your feelings without passing judgement.
- Practice positive self-talk.
- Focus your energy on things within your control.
PAGE 6
Intellectual Wellness
Sophia's Ways to Avoid Barriers:
- Focus on a single task at a time.
- Take breaks to avoid information overload.
- Pursue new hobbies and subjects you find interesting.
PAGE 7
Financial Wellness
Sophia's Ways to Avoid Barriers:
- Avoid impulse purchases.
- Take advantage of grants and scholarships.
- Create a personal budget.
PAGE 8
Vocational Wellness
Sophia's Ways to Avoid Barriers:
- Recognize signs of burnout.
- Build rapport with colleagues.
- Choose to work jobs that you enjoy (ex. helping jobs).
- Give yourself days off.
PAGE 9
Environmental Wellness
Sophia's Ways to Avoid Barriers:
- Educate yourself on local land and traditional territories.
- Remove clutter and mess in your living space.
- Practice environmental stewardship.