TIME TO TALK - MY MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY.
Mindful Photography was the catalyst for my mental health recovery.
I've been a photographer for over twenty years and have always loved taking pictures. However, I didn't realize that it was also helping me recover from my mental illness.
About 12 years ago, I was a single mum, juggling life, working full time to make ends meet having recently left a toxic relationship. I was suffering from anxiety, and loneliness, whilst also dealing with the impact of processing my childhood trauma. I can't recall what prompted me but one day I picked up a camera and went out photographing nature in the local area in North Devon and through this discovered a passion for photography.
As my children grew into teens, photography then became my escape, my solitude - my sense of being "me". It felt great to get out with my camera, connecting with nature - especially the beach. I felt at home on the sands of Westward Ho! beach - camera in hand, sun setting in front of me, dodging the waves and getting covered in sand. I was in a bubble, oblivious to the world carrying on around me, just caught in the moment of the beauty of nature. I considered my photography as rescuing moments - capturing them on camera to be recorded and held. It was so grounding and healing. It helped me to develop a real sense of connection to the world around me.
I decided to share these moments on my Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kistography) and I felt a real sense of pride and achievement sharing these 'moments' with others and seeing the joy it brought them too. Consequently, this grew my confidence and I joined a local camera club and met up with fellow local photographers - plus as my following grew, I built a photography community around me.
How I discovered Mindful Photography
It was probably about 3 years ago I realised that what I had been doing whilst out with my camera was practicing "Mindful Photography". I've never been a technical photographer - I am just about the moment, and I get by with the limited technical skills I have. What's more important to me is appreciating the beauty of being in that moment, and then having the photo to record it. Thus, the photo then creates another opportunity for reflection and noticing.
The best camera you have is the one on you - so you are far more likely to see me out and about with my mobile phone, than my full frame DSLR these days.
Mindful Photography helped me find my true self
I've always loved taking photographs, but I didn't realise how much it would help me in my journey toward mental health recovery. The act of taking pictures forces you to slow down and be present in the moment with what you are photographing. It allows us to see things as they really are, instead of through our own preconceived ideas or biases. You could say that mindful photography helped me find my true self again after so many years of living with anxiety, depression and stress!
It showed me that I am capable of healing myself.
My photography helped me find my true self. It showed me that I am capable of healing myself, finding a new purpose in life and finding strength within myself. My photography also gave me an outlet for expressing myself and living a more mindful and creative lifestyle.
This is why I believe that if you want to heal yourself from mental health issues or even just improve your wellbeing, taking up mindful photography can be beneficial for you too!
Photography was the catalyst for my mental health recovery.
Photography is a form of self-expression and creativity. It's an outlet that lets me express myself in a way that words can't always fully capture, but still has a deeper meaning than just taking pictures. When I'm out photographing nature or people, I feel like I'm connecting with something bigger than myself--the world around us is beautiful and should be appreciated!
Photography also helps me connect with other people by giving me something in common with them when we meet up at an event like a meetup or club where lots of photographers are present. It's easy to strike up conversations about our mutual interests; sometimes these conversations turn into friendships because we share so many interests beyond just photography!
Last year I decided I would like to offer this mindful photography experience to others so decided to train as a mindfulness teacher with MindfulnessUK. I feel blessed to be able to offer Mindful Photography 1:1 sessions or group workshops to others and they can be tailored to your needs. I have also created an offering around mindfulness in nature to allow the opportunity to just be - connecting with Mother Earth.
I hope to enable people to take back the power to heal themselves.
Conclusion
I'm not sure if this was the exact moment where I started to recover, but it was certainly a turning point for me. Photography helped me find my true self and heal from my depression and anxiety. It also gave me something to do during those dark times when all I wanted was just sit in bed all day long without doing anything else because it felt like there was no hope left for me anymore.
