34 Comments

No worries. That’s the best we can do is just try and try again. Do remember to look up breath work too. I have used it extensively to manage ravaging back pain.

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You're doing a great job especially creating a book!! That's epic. Sorry that it's tough at the moment but definitely look at what you are still achieving as a win!

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Thank you so much! I really appreciate it :)

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Boo to sore hand!! I was looking to pre-order but wanted to ask about international shipping? I didn't see anything about it on the webpage. I'm in Australia. Hope the hand improves miraculously soon!

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Hi! I’m not too sure about how shopping would work if you’re ordering from US sites, it may be quite steep to ship to Australia. I think you can order it from the HarperCollins Australia website though! Here’s the link: https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9780063237490/oh-olive/

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Oh fabulous! I just preordered from there. Congrats to you on the book btw!

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The book looks awesome, but I'm sorry it's killing your hand. :(

Have you tried doing the ice bowl, and hot bowl thing? I learned it from my massage therapist.

Basically prepare a huge bowl with ice, and another huge bowl bowl with HOT water. Put a 30 minute TV episode on, and then go back/forth between the two. Staying in each as long as you can take. I do it for my hands, and elbows when they get achey. Really has helped in the past.

And honestly, I feel like I'm just in constant self-care mode to keep working at this point in my life without pain. Like I exercise just to keep making books bleh. BODY STOP NEEDING SO MUCH CARE, and let me just paint 24/7 and eat chips on my couch the rest of the time.

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Ugh I feel this so hard! I am born to be a sedentary animal but alas my body is requiring me to MOVE? UGH.. then it hurts when I move? Horrible indeed. I'll definitely give your ice bowl/hot bowl trick a shot! I've had another friend tell me about this method before and I forgot about it until now! Thanks for the reminder

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Lian!! I hope your wrist heals well!! [I'm typing this with a wrist brace as well :(. ]

Your work really inspires me! I had the chance to read "Oh, Olive!" at the TLA conference. The book really resonated with me as a self-taught artist with major impostor syndrome. I'm excited for everyone to be able to read it :)

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Ah wrist brace club! I'm so happy the book resonated with you, that really warms my heart!!

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So sorry. Your body is sending you a message to step back. Try to rest for a day. Use some gentle Vagus nerve stretches with rhythmic breathing to help you with your pain. Try again the next day and go very slowly. Vagus nerve stimulation helps me keep my MS pain at bay. Each morning after I meditate I slowly rotate my head from side to side trying to touch my chin to my shoulder breathing in 5 through my nose and out 10 through my mouth as I slowly move to my other side. Off and on all day I will do this again.

We are all different human bodies so what works for me may not for you but the Vagus nerve is a very powerful nerve in everyone’s body. There are many simple things to do to activate its healing power. You can search online for other methods.

You are an amazing artist with fabulous talent. The important thing here is to recognize the power of your thought and know nothing happens before it’s time. Be kind to yourself and know you will conquer this.

Blessings from Jamaica

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Oh thank you for the advice Diana! I will look up some vagus nerve stretches and see if it helps in any way. No harm in trying right?

And thank you for your ultra kind words, I really appreciate it :)

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Aug 23, 2023Liked by Lian Cho

DOUBLE WRIST BRACE???? Dude I’m so sorry, that’s so brutal and unfair. At least you created a literal piggy masterpiece that you can comfort yourself with as the cash and accolades roll in ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ And Olive promo will be a (physically) restful period for you! 💪💪

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This better be true Monica! I'm going to come for you at night if the cash and accolades don't come in... WATCH OUT!!

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Ugh it's so frustrating when our bodies can't keep up with our ambition, but for some reason rest is essential??? Sending healing energy your way 🥺💖

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I know!! I lament the days I could draw as much as I wanted :(

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Oh Lian, that sucks! I’m sorry about your wrist and the haunting self-criticism. My brain does the same thing and it’s hard sometimes. But from an outside perspective, your book is amazing and people will love it ❤️ Hope you can pull up your pants soon 😉

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AW thank you Rachel! I really hope I can pull my pants up soon too!! Hopefully it'll happen before I learn "how to pee my pants the right way" hehe

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Haha good one — especially since that is an entire year away 😂

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Ah Lian, I’m so sorry!! Sending you all the healing vibes! Those dang pigs, why must they be so adorable yet cause so much pain?!?! I totally feel the frustration with books when they’re finished (I usually disassociate until I work up the courage to look at my work again haha) OH OLIVE is stunning and so stinkin’ cute. Can’t wait to get my copy :)

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I know right!! The disassociation is REAL especially when you get it in a physical form and all you can see are the horrible things wrong with it. Thank you for your super kind words about Olive, I really appreciate it Celia :)

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Oh bless your heart. Frustrating! Maddening@ Impossible to reconcile our breaks and pains with our mindset. I totally get it, great opportunity to doodle with your other hand:) Well that might be too much of 'it's all good!' but you get the idea. Right with you honey! Love your work. And your words:)))))

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Oh thank you Kimberly! I have tried doing left hand drawing but unfortunately my left hand has the dexterity of a 3 year old toddler! I've been trying to brush my teeth with my left hand and I even struggle doing that :(

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I broke my wrist years ago and had the same issues - it IS crazy making but be patient with yourself, this is a big adjustment. Maybe gives you time for something else, watching a new comedy, listening to a book, etc. ((total disclaimer, I am a 65yr old who is apparently unable to not be a 'mom' when replying!)) xox

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Wait I forgot to say OH OLIVE is my most anticipated book of the year and it’s literally a masterpiece

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🥺 Thanks Katie that means so much to me and my stupid little brain

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Feel this so hard ❤️ (typed while wearing my same wrist brace)

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LMAO katieeee i hate this for us why must the things we love hurt us

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GLADLY PREORDERED <3 here's to getting thru these next two weeks so you can pull up your pants again :(

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Thanks Carolyn!!!!! Can't believe I'm longing for the ability to pull my pants up with ease hahaha

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Sorry to hear about your hand! My husband is having similar issues and can’t do his favorite activity - disc golf. Hoping for your speedy recovery!

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Disc golf!!? I've never heard of disc golf and just looked it up. I have to say disc golf sounds 1000 times more fun than regular golf. I'm sorry your husband can't play it anymore, it seems the things we love are the ones that hurt us!

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Uggg I'm sorry about your hand!! I hope it realizes the error of its ways and lets you finish the book. Totally relate to not liking a book when you receive copies, 100%.

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I hope it realizes it's sabotaging me too! And yes, it's always so odd getting the book which you've spent months on only to find yourself picking every single thing apart. It really just takes time I guess before coming to terms with the work you've made

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