I'm an Artist with Anxiety // How I've Been and a Beluga

[@MDCampbell]

Thank you for such a deep, revealing expose on what you're experiencing. It amazes me how many people are affected by such debilitating episodes. I never experienced anxiety until after having brain surgery to remove a tumor. Now, a day without some kind of issue is rare and actually hard to embrace because it's unexpected and I always expect some kind of malaise to creep in and spoil things. For me, and I'm guessing you, as well, the art is a big help. I play music, which is also a big help. Again, thank you for sharing and it's good to know we're all on this strange busride together. Stay strong, Jennifer! Cheers! :)

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

Thanks, as always, for your kind words and for listening to my story through my videos. Anxiety is definitely a tricky one even though I've lived with it my whole life. I always felt like art found me very early on so that I had a way of coping with all the things from anxiety, depression, grief, and all the other complications in my life that made things messy. Art always made things make more sense...as if to help me find the puzzle pieces within the mess that made life have meaning and helped me pick up and carry on. Art has equated to hope for me 💕

[@joanpringle-canning2834]

It takes courage and inner strength to talk about your Anxiety with an individual let alone your followers an try an come across without your Anxiety overwhelming you. You did a great job an I truly appreciate when you speak on these topics. Just wanted you to know you're not a lone for I've been dealing with clinical depression, bio polar, Anxiety an Panic disorder for a great deal of my life an your right it's not an easy road at times. Keep up with looking after yourself because you are very special person. Thanks for the cute drawing.

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

Thank you so much Joan for your kind words and encouragement 💕 Life is complicated and I truly believe talking as openly as I'm comfortable with about these topics not only helps me heal but will help many others feel less alone in the struggles. They may even be inspired to speak up more about what they are going through and sometimes the best thing for us is to own and tell our story to the world.

[@TuyetTranArtist]

I can absolutely relate. I didn't know I experienced anxiety until I came back to social media after being away for several months this year to reply to a friend's comment on my Facebook photo. I felt like I had to come up with something witty, and if I didn't, I wouldn't reply. It's wonderful that you chose to leave social media to take care of yourself. Take as long as you need. The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron (for anyone else who's reading this and haven't watched my video) really was the therapy I needed to get through the mental noise and back into creating as well as a relationship book called Conscious Uncoupling to help me through a break up that was keeping me from moving on. Interestingly enough, this break up book helped me recognize my childhood's story so I can heal and break the cycle of repeating the story again in my adult life. The same things that affected my personal relationships were also affecting my relationship with art. An activity in the book gave me permission to create art from the pain I was experiencing and feel through my "negative" feelings instead of immediately replacing them with "positive" ones. I've been actively healing and taking care of myself for 7 months now and counting. Take all the time you need, Jennifer. And from someone who used to put everyone else before herself, soul care is the greatest gift you can give to yourself and others. Take care.

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

You know, I bought the artist's way a while back because I had heard how helpful morning pages were in practice. I never fully committed to reading it but really need to carve some time out to meditate and read it

[@DorysStories]

Im very grateful that I decided to go to therapy. It's a huge help. My anxiety is pretty bad & I actually shut down, artistically when it's bad.

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

I shut down completely (can't even speak) when I'm super overwhelmed. I'm so glad therapy has helped you so much

[@MariaRevArt]

My relationship with anxiety is a work in progress, but I'm managing it better bit by bit. As for depression. I'm doing pretty good on that front and definitely healing. I'm learning how to cope with both of them and focused on learning to live again,instead of merely existing. This is all with the help of my anti-depressants, but I am totally okay with that.

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

I'm so glad you've found medication that has helped you! I haven't had luck with that myself. I find the relationship between my depression and anxiety an interesting one and agree depression is more manageable or at least easier for me to see to try to understand. We are all works in progress and I'm so glad you have been able to improve and are finding a balance 💕

[@MariaRevArt]

Jennifer Charlee Art Thank you so much. I am very fortunate that medication helps my depression. The anxiety I've had to battle with therapy and coping mechanisms, but having one instead of two to focus on definitely makes things easier. It's been over a decade since depression showed up in my life and I've had times of improvement followed by relapses, but I definitely feel more stable this year. I hope you can find stability as well. Therapy is great and it definitely gave me the skills I use to cope on my own. I hope you can find what works for you and are able to live a fulfilling life despite your mental health challenges. One day, the sun will shine again, and though there will be rainy days, they won't last. You will make it through this and I wish you the best and everything you need on your own journey to finding balance within your life. Thank you for sharing your story. ☺🤗

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

Thank you for opening up as well! In the last year or so I have been able to limit my depressive episodes greatly by being able to understand it will end. Having that hope and light at the end of the tunnel helps so much. My episodes also greatly revolve around certain times in the year related to grief and loss. Being able to recognize that helps so much

[@MariaRevArt]

Jennifer Charlee Art I'm so glad that you are on the path the managing your depression. Knowing it will end is such a huge thing. Take care. And enjoy your social media break. 🤗

[@sarahlucy593]

As an art student who suffers with pretty bad anxiety I felt this was a really useful video for me so thankyou for this video and I hope you had a very relaxing break from youtube 🤗

[@someonenew7292]

Thank YOU for sharing - it reminds me of the PTSD group I attended weekly before my insurance changed. Obviously your video can't include acupuncture (worth a try for many things) but you could easily be a group mate sharing what can be shared and , yikes, yes, sometimes "accepting" it. Prior to my seeking professional mental health help almost 3 years ago - I had certain things I did in my teens thru to my 40's to relive stress (I guess that's self care, lol, IDK I'm gramma outwitted by her smart phone!) ... I would go for hike, even load up my dog and camp gear and play the 'left, right or forward' at every intersection - note Springer Spaniels like to head out of state involving car ferries! Oh how I miss sweet Daisy Mae - best nav ever!),. Heck before my spine really went kapoey, I would go kayaking along the shore of Lake Ontario (NY area) for a few hours and have to call for rides back to my truck, miss my muscle tone too, hmm) and on the terribly stressful days it was all about loud music, and going fast. True, not a good or even safe idea - but I always felt much better afterwards ... and knowing seldom traveled country roads helped. The best thing I ever did for myself was to make an appointment after putting it off for literally 40 years. I do wish my new insurance would cover it, but at least I had 2 years and I learned a lot about myself and the why's to why I am me. And I have 5 close former group mates on my FB ;) What ever you choose to do, I wish you much luck and many more friends' support.

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

I have been curious about acupuncture. I'm so glad that time of therapy was so helpful for you. I'm excited to get back to my therapy career and help many in the future

[@aaliyahnelson7435]

You are so amazing!! I love this style of art with the fally theme!! Could You do some more??

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

Thank you! I'm planning on branching out more and making more peices in this color scheme :)

[@ItsLizV]

I've actually also been thinking about seeing a therapist for my anxiety. It's been on my mind for like 3 years now, but my anxiety has gotten better so now I feel like I can actually get the process started. My anxiety was so bad that I knew I would benefit from seeing a therapist, but the thought of even just starting that process was absolutely terrifying me. Soo I just thought about it but never really did anything about it haha. However, as my anxiety has improved a lot, now I wonder if it's even necessary anymore to go see one? Seems like I've found a way to manage my anxiety without a therapist's help.

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

Sometimes seeing a therapist to get a few extra tools in your toolbelt can help. If you're feeling better you may be in a more comfortable and open to hearing what a therapist has to say. Not saying you have to by any means and it's great you've found things that have helped you ^_^

[@JenniferCharleeArt]

Remember, a therapist is there to help guide you to figure out your own answers and tools. They may be able to give you good ideas and insights but you do end up doing the work yourself

[@moonram2569]

Hi, if u r looking for a solution for dealing with anxiety, then u can try the Happiness program offered by the Art of Living Foundation.