FA+
Shop
Life's a struggle, but I'm getting through it
10 years ago
It's been a rough last few months, lots of heartache and uncertainty, but I'm trying my best to take care of myself
I don't really like to go into my personal life here, but I've been struggling with what I'm fairly sure is depression and anxiety, based on my own feelings and what people who are diagnosed have told me from their experiences. And I really would like to talk to a therapist, even just to have someone to talk to who I won't just feel like I'm burdening with my problems, but every time I bring it up to my parents, I just get the same old "you're fine, just hang in there and keep your chin up". I know they love me and don't want to admit that I might have problems because they already have a lot to deal with from my younger sister's medical issues and I've always tried to be the strong one and keep my problems to a minimum, it's just been getting more and more difficult lately and it doesn't seem like it's going to get any better any time soon unless I talk to someone and/or get some medication to help me get by. I just feel very lethargic and unmotivated, like nothing I do matters and so I do nothing, which only makes me feel worse and sends me spiraling down into self-pity/self-loathing, but I can't seem to pull myself out of this funk. and my art has suffered for it, I know it has. I've seen the quality of my work take a drastic downward turn since graduating college and starting my retail job. I guess it makes sense since I havent been drawing as regularly and practicing new things, like my classes made me do. Work's been taking up most of my time and the time I have off I just end up feeling tired and drained and like I need to recover my energy for the next day. but this is getting me nowhere. I know I need to pick myself up and start doing commissions again so I can make some extra money and keep looking for jobs that will pay better than what I have now and hopefully leave me feeling more fulfilled. It's just hard.
Anyway sorry for rambling and not being very coherent. just wanted to get some stuff off my chest and thought I owed you an explanation for why I've been so dead here lately. sorry for being such a rotten friend and artist, but thank you to those who have stood by me and supported me through all this. I don't know where I would be without you.
I don't really like to go into my personal life here, but I've been struggling with what I'm fairly sure is depression and anxiety, based on my own feelings and what people who are diagnosed have told me from their experiences. And I really would like to talk to a therapist, even just to have someone to talk to who I won't just feel like I'm burdening with my problems, but every time I bring it up to my parents, I just get the same old "you're fine, just hang in there and keep your chin up". I know they love me and don't want to admit that I might have problems because they already have a lot to deal with from my younger sister's medical issues and I've always tried to be the strong one and keep my problems to a minimum, it's just been getting more and more difficult lately and it doesn't seem like it's going to get any better any time soon unless I talk to someone and/or get some medication to help me get by. I just feel very lethargic and unmotivated, like nothing I do matters and so I do nothing, which only makes me feel worse and sends me spiraling down into self-pity/self-loathing, but I can't seem to pull myself out of this funk. and my art has suffered for it, I know it has. I've seen the quality of my work take a drastic downward turn since graduating college and starting my retail job. I guess it makes sense since I havent been drawing as regularly and practicing new things, like my classes made me do. Work's been taking up most of my time and the time I have off I just end up feeling tired and drained and like I need to recover my energy for the next day. but this is getting me nowhere. I know I need to pick myself up and start doing commissions again so I can make some extra money and keep looking for jobs that will pay better than what I have now and hopefully leave me feeling more fulfilled. It's just hard.
Anyway sorry for rambling and not being very coherent. just wanted to get some stuff off my chest and thought I owed you an explanation for why I've been so dead here lately. sorry for being such a rotten friend and artist, but thank you to those who have stood by me and supported me through all this. I don't know where I would be without you.
It's good to get things like this off your chest. It is not healthy to keep it all bottled up.
If ever you want to talk to someone, I'd hear what you've got to say.
I've been through cycles like you've described, especially the art ones, and it's a really tough situation to be in. My best advice is to talk to your parents again, because it's AMAZING how much a therapist or some medication (or both) can help. If that doesn't work, a lot of places have free resources you can check out, like a free clinic or therapy sessions. It's something that might help that you could do without your parents' support.
And if you ever need anything at all, of course give me or Aurelina a call!
I think therapy is a great idea. Ive seen therapists, psychologists, etc iver the past 10 years. The best thing to happen to me though is my service dog (psychiatric/mobility). She has helped me more than any medication or therapy
Find the things that make you happy, and cling to that. They're hard to find but for me it's always been music.
I was actually just thinking about you the other day (because I realized I hadn't seen any art from you in a long time, I know you probably don't even know who I am but I have always loved your art!!)
Hopefully you can get set up with a therapist in the near future if you feel you need, it can really help. Just having someone to sit and listen to you talk.
Your mental health should always come first. You're important and you're worth it, don't forget that.