Living well with difficulty

This post is shared in support of World Mental Health Day (10th October)

Yesterday started with difficulty. I was unsettled, ragged, insecure and confused. What was going on? There was nothing I could identify as a cause. I had slept well, was generally content and the day ahead looked interesting. However, I could not shake the feelings. I became uncertain about every little thing, unable to decide what to do next.

It took me a while to realise that I did not need to know what was going on; to accept that I did not like my feelings. Finally, I remembered my own Mindful Photography Activities, and particularly the one I have created for exactly this experience. So, I picked up my camera and favourite lens, set it up in my normal mode, turned my phone to ‘Do not disturb’, set a meditation timer for an hour and set out to my local environment to complete the activity.

There is something about being out in the fresh air; creating photos that respond to what I see and how I feel. It is a grounding and enriching experience. I found that the photos I initially created were full of simple lines and barriers. Later on, as I noticeably felt calmer, they lightened in tone, even became humourous. I had returned to myself.

The photos in this post are my favourites from this mindful photography activity.

Mindful Photography for Well-Being (Zoom Workshops Course)

I have decided that I need to share my thoughts, experience and mindful photography activities that can help you to live well with difficulty.

We can all get overwhelmed by difficult feelings at times. Without doubt these challenging times we are living through can magnify this experience. Sometimes the feelings manifest as discomfort, sometimes anxiety. Sometimes it becomes debilitating. At these times we need help. Professional help can be essential, but also practical creative activities and genuine community support can help to shift our feelings.

This course explores living well with difficulty. It reviews the impact major change, significant loss and ongoing difficulty can have in our lives. I know, I have lived through some major life changes, and significant losses. I have used mindful photography to help understand what was happening and to slowly move towards the acceptance of the changes.

The course will be delivered in 6 live workshops with me in January and February 2021. There will be a maximum of 12 places available. This is so that I can support you, keep the space safe and explore the challenges in your life with compassion, honesty and authenticity, through the creation of mindful photos.

It is suitable for all levels of ability, and all cameras. And you can see more about the content by clicking on the button below. If you have any questions about the course please use the contact form