Positive Changes

The Joys of Art School....

So, I have officially been reunited with The Real World since sept 2012. By The Real World I mean away from like-minded nutters at The Funny Farm, and into a classroom of like-minded creative nutters.

I freakin love art school. It has definitely, undoubtedly, been the most positive thing to help me grow, and for my wellbeing. ...
Studying, learning, being part of society, and best of all getting to do lots of crazy art attacks!

Ive even surprised myself by getting top notch grades. Ive come such a long way and I am really proud of myself :-)

Before college I wasnt working towards anything, I didnt have anything to get up for. I survived by doing a bit of art and writing, but didnt know what to draw or write, and would just end up scribbling out my complicated head....
I got so stuck in my head.

I was under CMHT for so long that you get institutionalised and you are surrounded by people who are poorly, and you end up more poorly because you have nothing else to think about and forget what life can be like outside of illness.

Life is soooo much a million times better outside. For the first time in a long time, Im actually doing life! spent waaaay too long avoiding the issue..

The social side of things has probably been the hardest. It's taken me a while to feel comfortable around people, but now I'm settled and have made a few good friends.

Doing my art is like breathing...its what keeps me real. I dont know if it keeps me grounded, but it definitely keeps me real. My projects give me new ideas to focus on instead of being stuck in my weird head. It gives me somewhere to unravel the confusion, somewhere to escape to, and a place to express myself freely. I absorb myself in my work, and am learning so much all the time.

I love having the routine, and dont really know what to do with myself when Im not there. It tires me out, so I should probably rest... but its too exciting, all these new art ideas, so I sleep a bit and do the necessary things to keep on top of life,and then I do lots and lots and lots of work.

I probably do too much work...
Though it isnt really work....there's nothing else I want to be doing. I need to do it, i loves it.

Just need to be careful not to overdo it.... One step at a time..... though I am impatient and that can take too long.

Doing my art is helping me to get to grips with things. And although I desperately wanted not to be reminded of anything to do with mental illness, it seems that there is always someone who needs a hand. Everybody has issues. Everybody struggles. And there is no such thing as normal.

Art school is my haven. It is where I am supposed to be. I feel so lucky to be studying at such a lovely place, to be having such a good education in my favourite thing, and to be surrounded by so many creative people. I also feel soooo lucky to finally have the strength and the brain-togetherness and the confidence to just go for it.
Though it wasnt really down to luck, but a lot of hope and effort... a lot of hard work that had to come from me.

I really believe that if you believe in yourself, and always try your best, then you can achieve the things you wanted to, no matter what life throws at you.