REKINDLING OLD FLAMES

Dear Diary,

Over the summer, I had tapped back into my artistic side. More specifically, I painted for the first time since middle school! My old roomie brought me some small canvases as well as acrylic paint, and from there I began painting. I thank her till this day for that kind gesture because painting has been such a stress reliever for me since I started back up again.

Prior to being gifted the canvases, I had been drawing on and off for a length of time. BUT I had never drawn with color or painted (outside of art classes of course). Drawing had once been a passion but because of functioning depression, anxiety, and ADHD, it eventually turned into something that was left way back on my back burner—only to be forgotten and almost completely ignored. I will say that having an activity or hobby that reduces stress is super duper important. This is especially important if you have any form of anxiety or depression. At the time, my anxiety was playing games with me (because life 🙃) and I couldn't find that je ne sais quoi that would help calm and lift my spirits. So, when I picked up the canvas and noticed how calm and focused I was, I decided that I was going to dive back into my drawing boards—literally.

Since I've started painting, I've painted a few pieces. I've also had the amazing opportunity to paint at a fashion show (which I will be posting about separately). Painting has opened up a lot of insights about myself and my life. This year has been a year of growth, learning, wholehearted-love, and self care. With that being said, I feel like all the time I have been taking to stay to myself is not in vein.

Now, there are literally 50 more days until the new year. So, my focus has been to align myself with my future self. This includes indulging in activities and opportunities that allow me to learn more about myself; instilling healthy habits while unlearning unhealthy habits; retraining myself for whatever life has in store for me; and doing all these things with patience and grace because change does NOT happen overnight. In being in this stage of my life, as well as managing my mental health, I've found it really helpful adding painting to my list of healthy hobbies. Especially now that the temperatures are dropping, because I'm trying to be either indoors or in warm weather as much as possible.

I look forward for what the rest of 2019 has up its sleeve. I'm excited to uncover more healthy hobbies to keep myself feeling lighthearted and busy.

With love,

BG

xxx