18/05/2024
Our stories make us human - the highs and lows of every emotion teach us and guide us on our own journey of life. It's commonly only our close friends and family that know all our chapters, but sometimes we don't disclose all to them. In fact, we hide the raw detail, the messy and uncensored stuff, in the shame of people learning were not perfect. It's funny that we hide the imperfect truth, which makes us human. We can all learn so much from one another by sharing our truth. Exposing our vulnerabilities is vital to creating authentic connections with others who accept who we are, flaws and all. So, on that note, here's my story.
Looking after mental health is a conversation that's been gaining traction in recent years ( as it should.) as an increased number of people are taking the issue seriously. speaking from experience, I suffer from anxiety, depression disorder, past trauma, fibromyalgia and alcoholism ( nearly 7 years sober.) Most days, I feel like I've had very little sleep, aching muscles, weakness, nerve pain and migraines with the fibro, so to try and leave the house is challenging physically and mentally.
Photography has helped me break down some of the barriers to leaving the house and not just living life but thoroughly enjoying it. Photography has given me purpose. Expressing feelings and emotions and viewing the world differently is my therapy. After years of hiking and climbing mountains, I ultimately gave up when my health deteriorated in April 2023. I was literally surviving daily to just exist. I've had to learn that past hobbies are no longer possible, and to enjoy life, I needed to find a new outlook.
Photography has given me that, along with landscape and portrait photography. It has not been an easy journey to get here, and it has taken surrounding myself with positive people who genuinely want nothing more than you to find happiness and peace. So, this is a raw disclosure of who I am and how I discovered my passion for photography. Thanks for taking the time to get to know me a little, and I hope you follow along on my journey. Xx
