Sketch:Â The Theatre behind the Face
06/Jun
Whilst feeling angry, frustrated or apprehensive and where heart palpitations and toxic thoughts can become overwhelming, I sometimes express myself through art.
It started with picking up a brush and paint, and mixing colours and applying onto a canvas. I can slowly feel my emotions change as I relax into the art.
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I also draw sometimes. Not often, but at an increasing rate over the last 5 years. It is a way to explore and vent out emotions. It gives me control and allows me to feel, objectively.
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I also love to sketch lots of portraits, in different styles.
13/Oct
Todays Australian animal card: Kookaburra!
How I've been trying to stay positive this month:
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1) The normal structure of the day recently has been taken away. I try to have time in the day to do something creative, to meditate, listen to music, to do some exercise, and have a set time for getting up and going to sleeps.
2) SLEEP! It's so easy to have lie ins and stay up late. It helps our immune system, and mental health. I try and turn my phone off and wake up when my alarm sings.
3) Exercise: Endorphine boost! I try and do what I enjoy (Joe Wicks has been great). I love going for walks outside with my housemates, trying to maintain social distancing.
4) Not too many beers (especially in lockdown) I feel like too many of these can make me feel a bit rough the next day and not very positive. I try and stick to the weekends!
5) Keeping contact with peeps. I am warming to FaceTime now and rather enjoy it.
6) Try not to listen to too many negative things like the news and on social media. I feel they can really effect the way you are thinking. I much prefer trusted accounts like WHO, NHS etc.
08/Oct
Todays Australian animal card: Blue Heeler popper!
I feel sometimes like I need to switch off the noise and use peace to process. I've discovered that these things have helped me doing covid:
​Routine: for a sense of stability and making new helpful habits.
Moving for 20 mins to increase heart rate and release feel-good endorphins.
Connect: Speak to loved ones, remind others they matter. People do care about you.
Creativity via painting, decluttering, cooking and journalling!
Be present now: What can you do today that is helpful?
Look out the window to see the world.
Turn off the news: Limit how much news about the C-word and how much it enters conversation.
Volunteering for Papyrus UK and visiting the local community has been awesome!
Decompress time: Have some alone time to chill.
You are not alone, and this will pass.