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Message
Posted
I’ve been following this post but have found it hard to contribute, I try hard to avoid thinking about the way things are. My lovely husband suffers from depression.... there, I’ve said it! I’m a glass half full kind of person but it’s hard to deal with what others are going through in these less than normal times when mental health issues must effect us all at times. Painting is what gets me through, and now a new pony is filling my time and thoughts too. And a glass of wine. Don’t know where this is going? We just have to hope for a brighter New year and fill the gallery with art ...
Posted
Lewis, I am not on fire - just desperate to not fall into the deep pit of depression. Having a plan and arranging any kind of event for the future, seems to do it for me.
Sylvia, so glad to see you back here. Really missed your contributions. I look forward to more of them. You obviously can’t go back to the old normal and my heart goes out to you. But I’m sure you will carve out a new way of being.
Katy, my husband used to suffer from depression, bu I think I have kept it at bay. CBT works. He counts his blessings every day now and says he is lucky and happy. There is on line therapy created by some Ozzie doctors. Look for “mood gym”.
MIT was a good idea to start this thread - it makes us see al each other’s frailties and ways of coping. I’m sure we can all learn from each other. So tomorrow I am painting a Kandinsky!
Posted
Lewis is right, it will be a different kind of normal but make no mistake, we will all adjust faster than you think to a new norm. That's how the human race has survived, our ability to adapt to change. My daughter who will be 28 in a couple of days suffers with anxiety and it has affected her. It is of massive magnitude what is happening but we need to ride the tide. Eventually, things will be overcome. My confidence was knocked a few years ago when I needed brain surgery, yes, I was frightened but not falling apart and trying to keep positive helped my children get through that. I was still terrified though but if you think positive, eventually you begin to believe it and feel it and that get's you through most things. Trust me, I know. Oh, I thought I would try my hand at a bit of this Kandinsky. Joking of course.
Edited
by Denise Cat
Posted
Gentlefolk, I do all the things others do and Paint and draw. I'm 81 now and more or less house bound with arthritis, but in addition to all else, whenever I can get my quiet five minutes, I close my eyes and do some gentle , calming deep breathing and say my prayers. It may not be everyone's answer, but it works for me. God is a good listener and I always feel better for my little efforts. You don't always have to pray, but the quiet times are so restful and helpful in allowing me to realise there's always someone worse off than me. God and an angel of a wife see me through. Close your eyes, breathe, be calm and know you aren't alone.. Nothing is lost and very much gained. God Bless.
Posted
Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. It's so true that there's always someone worse off. That's something my wife's always saying, and she has it pretty bad, poor kid. I started this thread because the current situation will amplify the downbeat side of life, and drawing (and art in general) has been a wonderful counter to that. So I need to keep doing it and not allow indolence to win. Reading what you've all written is a help, and since we're all in the same boat...hopefully to you as well.
It's 5.30 am, I been up for two hours. I must do something. This is my art table as I left it yesterday afternoon...
...because it's there like this, I can pick up where I left off. If, like Robert, I had to set everything up afresh, I probably wouldn't bother right now. When I've posted this, I'll do some drawing. It doesn't matter what it is, it's the process that's so good for me.
Art is a continuing source of wonderment to me, the things people can put on canvass and paper are awe-inspiring. The times are bad, but we, at least, have our art.
So, good morning to you all, have the best day you can.
...because it's there like this, I can pick up where I left off. If, like Robert, I had to set everything up afresh, I probably wouldn't bother right now. When I've posted this, I'll do some drawing. It doesn't matter what it is, it's the process that's so good for me.
Art is a continuing source of wonderment to me, the things people can put on canvass and paper are awe-inspiring. The times are bad, but we, at least, have our art.
So, good morning to you all, have the best day you can.
Posted
Good morning all, some wonderful words and inspirational thoughts have been written here by you all.
I suppose I am lucky in a way, because I am out and about on my delivery 6 days out of 7, so I still get to meet ( mainly at a safe distance) lots of different people, though there are quite a few who still don’t get the 2 meter space rule, let the postman put Mail through the letter box, and not open the door to take it off them., I like a chat it makes my day as for some I am there only contact, but we must all stay safe. My art has declined over the last couple of months as we were so busy, delivering online shopping parcels, i do not think the post will ever be the same again.
I have a week off now, so I am making sure, I draw, or paint at least 1 picture a day. As for aches and pains, although I am a postman who invites trouble by wearing shorts all winter long, I am in reasonable health, it’s just my feet that let the side down. It is understandable when you work out, I walk 13 miles a day.
I’m about to brace a frosty morning with some exercise, so bye for now.
Thanks for starting this thread Lewis like your art, you are an inspiration,
Edited
by Alan Beresford
Posted
Thank you Alan. I envy your getting out and about, but not your shorts...you can keep them. You postmen and women are a hardy breed. Our postie is still wearing shorts, I suppose summer and winter are all the same to her. You do well to get anything done, Alan. We all know what a busy time this is for the Post Office.
Yes Sandra, I agree about Denise's abstract. I like it very much. Maybe that's something to try. I like Michael's geometric pen abstracts too...not sure where I'd start with them. I guess just starting would be a start. Too many 'starts' in there, but it's a good word.