Minds Eye Images

27/08/2024

24/05/2024

Here are some behaviors you may not realize are actually anxiety:

𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺: Striving for perfection in everything you do may seem like a positive trait, but it can also be a sign of anxiety. The fear of making mistakes or not meeting high standards can lead to constant stress and self-criticism.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Putting off tasks or responsibilities may not just be laziness – it could be a coping mechanism for dealing with anxiety. The fear of failure or overwhelming feelings of inadequacy can make it difficult to take action.

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Constantly ruminating on past events or worrying about the future can be a sign of anxiety. The mind becomes trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts, making it hard to focus on the present moment.

𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Avoiding certain situations or activities that trigger anxiety is a common coping mechanism. While it may provide temporary relief, avoidance can ultimately reinforce anxiety and limit personal growth.

𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲-𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴: Constantly seeking approval or validation from others may stem from a fear of rejection or criticism. People-pleasers often prioritize the needs of others over their own, leading to feelings of resentment and burnout.

𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Constantly seeking reassurance from others about one's decisions or actions may indicate underlying anxiety. The need for validation can stem from a lack of confidence or fear of making the wrong choice.

𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗜𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Withdrawing from social situations or avoiding social interaction altogether may be a way of coping with social anxiety. The fear of judgment or embarrassment can make it difficult to engage with others.

𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀: Anxiety doesn't just affect the mind – it can also manifest in physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, stomach problems, or difficulty sleeping.

Recognizing these behaviors as potential signs of anxiety is the first step toward understanding and managing them. 🍃🤍

05/04/2024

05/04/2024

"EYES WITHOUT A FACE"

For me the art in photography becomes a powerful muse to express from deep hidden places.

In this image, "Eyes without a face", is a photo of the cast I got made of me holding Oscars hand when he had passed a few weeks ago and his portrait of when he was struggling as can be seen in his eyes. The key to one's soul.

The hand hold represents the shape of a heart entwined in the grasp together and the overlay is the fractures of his world and mine in the struggle with mental health and the system.

Oscar had said to me a few weeks before he passed that he just felt like a pair of eyes and could not feel his body. He said he felt like nothing, a nobody. Devoid of any sense of identity or self.

He was desperately searching for why he was feeling this way. Looking for answers in a fractured system that was not helping him. He looked into his own self- diagnosis coming to the conclusion he was suffering from borderline personality disorder onto his already diagnosed OCD of which he suffered two types. Plus other psychosis which were not further investigated.

For men the shame, invalidation and humiliation of mental health is difficult enough to navigate due to fear of judgement by society and those close. We need to open our minds and our hearts with more compassion and educate ourselves to understand mental health issues and the complex multifaceted struggles with more kindness. Giving time to truly sit with and listen to.

This world is harsh enough already without having to make people mask themselves and hide behind closed doors to suffer in silence. Sadly this is a all too common practice.

We need to make our human connections a safer place for people to be able to open up to share their struggles with others. For you never know the huge difference you can make in someone's world.

11/02/2024

S O U L L E N S
from my Minds Eye Images
I see you

28/01/2024

Your tenacity in standing up against all odds for what you believe is right, specifically protecting your culture from destruction at all costs, commands great esteem, love and admiration. You are an amazing friend, mentor and soul. You have fought with pride, strength and great knowledge. Regina, elder and matriarch, a true ngangkari, I'm proud to call you my dear friend and look forward to so many more moments together learning from eachother.
WOMAN OF EARTH 🌎

10/01/2024

Surviving open heart surgery marked not just a physical triumph, but a profound emotional journey. The resilience forged in the crucible of vulnerability became a catalyst for a therapeutic pursuit – photography. Through the lens, I found solace, capturing moments that echoed the resilience within. Each click became a testament to life's fragility and beauty, a visual narrative of healing. In the frame, I discovered a cathartic release, a silent dialogue with the world that mirrored the strength discovered in the beating of my mended heart.

10/01/2024

Entanglement, surrendering to the flow and drifting in passion of emotional resonance, is a mindful practice I have reclaimed.
Feelings that sit so deep inside that the origin is beyond words as they errupt a metaphorical playground of illumination.
The art of me.

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