The Clouds Will Lift
I shot this self portrait back in 2012, as I recall. Things just kept happening which got in the way of editing it but it's finally done!
...
Read more
I shot this self portrait back in 2012, as I recall. Things just kept happening which got in the way of editing it but it's finally done!
I don't think many of you will be surprised when I say I've had my share of troubles with clinical depression. It's something I've struggled with on and off for most of my life. I've been to many therapists, tried countless treatments, medications, alternative therapies, read books, talked it out, journaled, and, of course, done art therapy. Art therapy has been one of the most effective treatments by far.
Since the severity of my depression waxes and wanes, I tend to think of it as an entity which I am periodically under the attack of. Something which is dark and dangerous and can completely envelop me. When I find myself thus enveloped, I repeat a mantra over and over to myself; "The clouds will lift. The clouds *<i&bt;will<-i&bt;* lift." It might be hours, days, weeks or months, but I know that at some point this battle will be over and I'll have made it through to the other side.
As a society, we really need to get past the stigma associated with mental illness. It's hard enough when you're trying to talk yourself into living every day for weeks at a time without understanding that I had to hide what was going on inside me. These problems need *<i&bt;help<-i&bt;* and not being made to feel like you're disappointing everyone, that you're just not trying hard enough, that it's<i&bt; *your fault*<-i&bt; that you feel that way. More on this, the self portrait and how I created it on my blog!
http:--sarahallegra.wordpress.com-2014-05-22-caught-in-the-clouds-
Read less
I don't think many of you will be surprised when I say I've had my share of troubles with clinical depression. It's something I've struggled with on and off for most of my life. I've been to many therapists, tried countless treatments, medications, alternative therapies, read books, talked it out, journaled, and, of course, done art therapy. Art therapy has been one of the most effective treatments by far.
Since the severity of my depression waxes and wanes, I tend to think of it as an entity which I am periodically under the attack of. Something which is dark and dangerous and can completely envelop me. When I find myself thus enveloped, I repeat a mantra over and over to myself; "The clouds will lift. The clouds *<i&bt;will<-i&bt;* lift." It might be hours, days, weeks or months, but I know that at some point this battle will be over and I'll have made it through to the other side.
As a society, we really need to get past the stigma associated with mental illness. It's hard enough when you're trying to talk yourself into living every day for weeks at a time without understanding that I had to hide what was going on inside me. These problems need *<i&bt;help<-i&bt;* and not being made to feel like you're disappointing everyone, that you're just not trying hard enough, that it's<i&bt; *your fault*<-i&bt; that you feel that way. More on this, the self portrait and how I created it on my blog!
http:--sarahallegra.wordpress.com-2014-05-22-caught-in-the-clouds-
Read less
May, 2014Views
834
Likes
Awards
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Categories
Same photographer See all
Discover more photos See all
