In an attempt to encourage talking about Mental Health, creativity is being used as it always has done, as an outlook to express feelings, coming from those who are directly suffering from Mental Health Issues. With so many different techniques available: painting, drawing and writing, we are not short of ways of doing it. Whether being creative intends to raise awareness or is merely just used as an express of relief, it’s important to realise how much creativity is playing a part in making those who may sometimes feel so at lost with themselves, more in control.
I came across Ruby Elliot on World Mental Health Day in an interview with Rethink Mental Health. Elliot is an example where drawing has helped her express how she is feeling and has made for an easier way of demonstrating to people how she was struggling instead of verbally coming out with it. These days we struggle enough to verbally socialise due to technology, but now more than ever we need to be verbal, however, sometimes this isn’t possible due to feeling uncomfortable, so instead we can use alternative ways as Ruby Elliot shows: ” It can be hard enough trying to understand and convince yourself that what you’re going through is real and valid, let alone tell someone else.” Elliot focuses on drawing cartoons as her way of portraying her feelings, although they can be seen as funny, there’s a darker meaning hidden behind the laughter.
You can now get Elliot’s comic book It’s All Absolutely Fine: Life is complicated, so I’ve drawn it instead on Amazon.
In a different outlook, Panteha Abareshi started creating illustrations when her Mental Health took a decline to look at the complexity of issues in society that can trigger depression and anxiety, rather than inherently her own feelings of Mental Health. Yet again it’s used as a form of expression that helps to translate her nightmares of being a young woman into visual realities for those on the outside. Her work may be dark but it doesn’t conceal anything, the illustrations speak for themselves meaning Abareshi doesn’t have to.
“Hurt me badly” (How do you explain craving physical pain to snuff out the chaos that comes with mental illness?)
mental illness colour swatches
Click on the image to enlarge them.
As artist’s Abareshi and Elliot are pushing the boundaries of not talking about mental health by my making it physically impossible not to see it right in front of you. For some of us it’s easy to shrug off words and change topic when you don’t fully understand what is being expressed, but with drawing and painting you can look at it ten times over just to make sure you understood. Those who talk openly about their mental illnesses should never be confined to fearing that people think they are wanting unneeded attention, instead they should be hailed for their bravery in creating pieces that help others who are less likely to express how they are feeling, as well as helping themselves get through their issues.
London has recently opened an Art Gallery of paintings done only by Mental Health patients, although the concept and idea breaks a lot of rules and can be frowned upon by others who don’t understand its objective, it ultimately aims to exclude being ashamed of mental illness. Talking to DAZED, Ben Wakeling an Art-Therapist and one of the creators of the Outsider Gallery comments on the creative process of the pieces that can be seen in the Gallery: “They’re not calculated like other art movements, they didn’t understand what they were doing and you can’t (say), “I really want to put the work into an exhibition” because they’ll just be talking at you about King Charles and being his best friend. They’re in their own story and it’s constant. And some of those outcomes, whether it’s music or art-related, visual marks, are so beautiful and I really wanted to start framing the work, hanging it up and telling my mates. The more I got involved in the arts, the more distant I became from art movements. I didn’t realise at the time but there isn’t a mental health gallery in London or a dedicated space for mental health.” take a look at the whole interview on DAZED to see their exclusive view of mental health therapy.
Outsider Gallery
In addition, a mental health magazine named ANXY, hopes to be released in 2017 with the aim of promoting personal narratives through the use of illustrations and photography. “The biggest takeaway that we want readers to have is this sense of connection,” Rojas said, ANXY’s founder and creator, talking to Huffington Post: “This can be a shared experience, but the main challenge is that people rarely talk about it. The magazine will hopefully give those with mental health issues a greater feeling of community.” The magazine will give a different way of reading about Mental Health in comparison to scientific magazines, who may discuss the subject, but using a creative magazine will hopefully make the subject more readable and visual for the readers, therefore, more understandable.
The importance of all these outlets is that they encourage others to seek the help if they need it, through showing that mental health is everywhere, and it affects everyone in one way or another, be that directly or indirectly. As well, even more importantly they create platforms in which people who don’t quite understand Mental Health can learn and better educate themselves to become more comfortable in talking about it.
For me, being a make-up artist and beauty therapist requires constant researching for new and up-coming trends/looks. It means trying out different products and seeing what works best for both you and your client. Now and again make-up tutorials are a great source of inspiration, along with good-old faithful Pinterest, however, Instagram has to be my major influence as it’s easy to follow plenty of beauty bloggers/vloggers for tips. Here are some of my favourites:
1.Zoella
26-year-old Zoe started out with just a small gathering of supporters on her blog posts back in 2009, by now she over 9.8m followers on Instagram, over 11m subscribers on her Youtube channel and her own website. She writes about all things beauty, fashion and life related and has a ‘real’ approach to her opinions and tips which makes her blog very down-to-earth and relatable.
2. Pixiwoo
These two sisters are the ultimate duo when it comes to the best and latest makeup looks and tips. They have years of experience in the beauty industry and have become worldwide sensations with their very own Youtube channel, make-up brushes brand, and Real Techniques.
3. Keilidhmua
Keilidh Cashell is one of my favourites to follow on Instagram. Her bold eye makeup looks are an inspiration for make-up lovers everywhere. She started off as a self-taught make-up enthusiast and has since graduated from the LA College of Creative Arts and is currently working and collaborating with Inglot Ireland.
4. Lisa Eldridge
Having worked with top celebrities and makeup brands, Lisa is always in the know about the latest and best products to use. Her make-up tutorial videos on Youtube shows you how to create looks from a heavy smoky eye to a flawless fresh face.
Here’s a few top tips we learnt at last nights Q&A session with Industry leaders at the Creative Futures Event hosted at Exeter College:
1. Work Experience
The most common question from young adults, but what does it mean? Do you have to have work experience in order to get a job? In short, in the creative industry experience is invaluable. You’re working in an industry that is constantly changing, constantly developing and looking for something fresh. Creativity stems from your surroundings, by being around those who do it daily work experience can only help you to grow creatively. It helps for both developing new skills, and networking. Work experience, shadowing, internships – do what you think will benefit you.
2. Finding Inspiration
If the opportunities to volunteer aren’t there, get creative yourself and team up with people around you that inspire you. The Young Collective has been made possible simply due the enthusiasm of a group of people who want to get creative. Want to play music? Gather a few friends, practise playing and going through the creative process, this doesn’t have to be your ultimate goal, but instead gives you a chance to collaborate with like-minded people. You can learn a lot from those around you.
3. University vs Apprenticeships?
It’s an ongoing debate, but the panel agreed they both have benefits. You have to do what works for you, are your friends going to University, but you don’t feel it’s right for you? Hey that’s ok! Seek the experiences that build your portfolio and showcase you in your best light. If you’re progressively learning to be the best you can be, then it’s your choice to choose which route you go down.
4. No Template for the Perfect CV
No consensus from the panel on the perfect CV. This goes to show there is no perfect CV, instead tailor your CV to the job. Your CV has to be relevant to the job you’re applying for, and illustrates the skills you have required for the job. This could mean you have two completely different CV’s for two different jobs…perfect! Take your time in knowing what they’re asking for, the important thing to remember is that the employer wants a taste of who you are and what you can bring to the company, if that summer cleaning job isn’t relevant don’t put it!
Airbnb is the perfect option for Florence. Staying in an Airbnb allows for an authentic Florence experience, creating the feel of living like a local. The city is perfectly compact meaning you don’t have to being staying in a hotel or hostel in a central location, you can get very reasonably priced places to stay all just a short walk to the city centre. The apartment I stayed in with two friends was newly furnished, equipped with a sofa bed, a double bed, and I was particularly impressed by the well equipped kitchen. This allowed for cooked breakfasts, and evening meals to save money.
Where to Eat
Panini Toscani – Hands down the best sandwich shop in the world! This isn’t just a sandwich shop, this is a sandwich experience. Every panini will contain ham and cheese, but while this may seem simple, there is nothing simple about it. Upon entry to the shop you will be greeted by an old man who runs the shop. He will invite a small group over to a chopping board at the end of the counter. With the most soft spoken Italian accent he will take you through the cheese and ham selection they have, giving everyone a small taste and explaining the origins of production. You then select your ham and cheese choices, and are then invited to choose your additional fillings. All of this for less than five euros, there really is no better way to have lunch in Florence.
Gelateria La Carraia – Everybody thinks they like ice cream, but you don’t truly know ice cream until you’ve been to an authentic Italian gelateria. Sitting on the river bank La Carraia lays claim to being the first ice cream shop in the world, their Ice cream is made in store, giving it the rich creaminess you come to expect of italian ice cream. As you wait in the inevitable queue trying to decide from the long list of flavours proves a challenge and this decision will change a number of times before you get served. If still undecided they are happy to give you a little taster. This is a great spot as you can enjoy your ice cream sat in the sun overlooking the river.
Il Mercato Centrale Firenze – The options available at Il Mercato Centrale are endless, with such a wide range of culinary delights there is something here for everyone. The surrounding streets are swamped with small market stalls selling clothing and other small items. Inside you’ll find all the food. It’s extremely modern, with outlets lining the perimeter of the building, then loads of chairs and tables and a big bar in the centre. I went for one of the woodfire pizzas. You can see one chef rolling dough, one putting on all the toppings and another rotating them in the oven, as fresh as pizza can get!
What to See
Explore the Art Galleries – Florence has a rich history of art and this tradition has been maintained to this day. There are enormous greek statues located around the city, and Michelangelo’s David is a must see. Just around the corner is the Uffizi Gallery which houses some of the best art in the world. Make sure to either prebook your tickets or get there early, or risk being stuck in a long queue (two hours at the least). Finally check out the Palazzo Strozzi, a smaller gallery hosting different exhibitions through the year. When I visited there was a Kandinisky to Pollock exhibition. The current exhibition is on Ai Weiwei.
Religious Landmarks – Grab a ticket to see all the key religious landmarks in central Florence. For just €15 you have access to the Cathedral, Dome, Bell Tower, Crypt and the Museum over a 48 hour period, so you can either do them all in one day, or spread them over a couple of days. The architecture of these buildings is like none other. The scale and design of the buildings will leave you in awe. Make sure you’ve had a big breakfast to give you the energy to climb the steps of the Dome and the Bell Tower. The effort is worth it as you’re rewarded with wonderful panoramic views over the city. The crypts and the museum are a great way to learn more about the history of Florence.
Explore Florence at Night – One of the best ways to see Florence is at night. On a warm summers night the vibe of the city is so chilled and the mad rush of tourists has died down which makes for a much more enjoyable time. Start by heading up to the Piazzalle Michelangelo. It’s slightly outside of the city centre and quite a long walk up. You get a perfect view over the city, the best way to see the sun set in Florence. Then head back down into Florence to cross the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. The bridge is hundreds of years old, and lined with shops. At night it’s nice and quiet, a great place to relax with friends. Head down through the city centre to find some nighttime food and drink. We spent our night dancing in the square whilst listening to a jazz band, the nighttime makes for a truly remarkable experience.
I’ve been in education since I was four years old, and in July of 2017 I will be graduating the University of Exeter with no plans and a very little idea of what I want to do with my life.
For as long as I can remember, people have asked me what I would like to be when I ‘grow up’. The way I answer this question has changed drastically over the years as it does for all of us. From the 17-year-old who wanted to be a zoologist, to the 12-year-old watching Michael Phelps make history in Beijing and dreaming of being an Olympic swimmer, to the teenager who after binge watching Grey’s Anatomy thought “hell yeah, maybe I could be a doctor after all.” And finally to the 20-year-old student who come July will be just as clueless as I was when I began University.
It feels like from the moment you get dressed for your first day of school, even picking GCSE’s, the pressure to enhance your CV and plan for your career begins. These expectations only intensify when you fast forward to University. Every family occasion turns into an interrogation of your future, and my favourite: people asking ‘Classics? What will you do with that?’. I’m four weeks into third year, and if I had a pound for every time someone has asked me what my plans are for after uni then I’d be a millionaire, well maybe not that rich, but I’d be able to pay off my student loan at least! And the truthful answer is I have no idea what I want to do after university.
We have so much fear that we’re going to graduate and have to have our lives planned out. In reality I’m still only going to be 21 and I’m pretty sure I’m not ready to spend my next 20 years in the same career I gained straight out of getting a degree. In all honesty I’ve never had a career in mind, my answer has always been oh I’ll figure it out or as long as I’m having fun then it’s ok!
To some extent I really did think that one day I’d have a eureka moment and figure it all out, but I’ve come to realise that pre-planning my life isn’t for me, and I understand I’ll probably have to figure it out some other way! And it can be scary, when your friends have plans for a master’s degree, or a graduate job lined up though an internship they did last summer, or a ten-point plan to get where the want to be, whilst I’d be perfectly happy going back to summer camp every year, and just being a big kid.
This pressure has led me to careers advisors and personal tutors on many occasions, who are always telling me “don’t panic”. THIS IS ENTIRELY TRUE! I’ve stopped panicking (for the most of it), there is so much to look forward to. We all want security and to know that what we do will offer a comfortable lifestyle, but for some people like me that will come in due time; at a time that is right for you individually, whether that be a month after graduation or a year after.
During a recent meeting with my tutor, she told me to take at least one year out, to explore the world, and take a break! Loads of people have done it, when you’ve been in education for so long you get lost in the structure of the regulations, I’ve never really had time to process “is this really what I want to do?” I’ve been reassured that it’s ok to not know what you want to do, that I may go through a dozen jobs before I find one that I really like! And this doesn’t freak me out, I embrace that there’s going to be so many skills I can gain from taking on different challenges, and when the time comes I’ll know they’ll be something perfectly suited for me.
The point I’m trying to make is you should do what you want to do and if that takes time then let it, and don’t let those slow steps make you feel like you’re not getting anywhere. You are, but on your own terms, for your own future. For now, I know that I’ll take some time out, explore the world the way I want to, and then just maybe my eureka moment will come, and if it doesn’t then that’s ok too. I’ll find something to do.
So the first rule I have when it comes to doing my work is making sure everything is organized. It’s pretty much a deal breaker. If everything around me is a mess, I just can’t function and I waste my time clearing it all up. I’m so far from being perfect at it but, I try my best to keep stuff organized!
Once I’ve tided and put things in their place I generally feel 10x’s better about doing my work – everything around is neat and organised – you just feel like you’re on your way to success and can do absolutely anything (while I do anyway). Plus, I’m a major stationary lover so I have all my pretty desk organizers to look at and it makes me feel oh so fancy, very Sex and The City. But, you don’t have to go on a major spending spree to be organized; as long as things are tidy and in the right place I’m sure you’ll feel just as good as I do. It gives you the breathing space to do your work and you don’t have to spend time rummaging around your mess to find things!
It’s not just my space that needs organizing, it’s my time. I talked about routine in an earlier post, so check that out. When it comes to organizing out my weeks I have my fantastic Paperchase organizer to keep me on track. I also have my Dad’s old time manager organizer. I use my Paperchase one for appointments and events that are happening throughout the week, stuff that aren’t day-to-day. Because it’s an A5 version that’s all I really have room for, but it’s perfect for carrying around with me when I’m in Lectures or out shopping in case I need to jot something down. It includes all the stuff you need: A week every two pages, to do lists, address pages and notes pages. I bought some additional packets just in case I ran out. They’re not expensive but, you might not need to buy them if you don’t use it as much! My dad’s old one I use for more thorough details, like what I’m going to do each day. I tend to plan by hours so I can figure out when I have time to do my work and what day’s I’ll have to do extra work as a consequence of doing something exciting the next day!
Obviously, things change and you can’t always keep to an exact schedule but I always find it better and more motivating. By knowing that if I get my work done in a certain amount of hours on that day, I then have the time to go off and do what I want! It’s an incentive really knowing that I do have time do everything. If you sit around and watch TV like I have done many times and say I’ll do it later the hours pass by, and at the end of the day you realise how much time you wasted. Whereas knowing exactly how many hours in the day I have for me is really beneficial!
http://www.timemanager.com/ TimeManager is more for projects but if you have exams or an essay to plan ahead for that you’re serious about this can be a contender!
Once again, I hope this motivates you lovely readers in some way.
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