"Being an Artist, that's the best excuse for being crazy." - J. Cole

It can be very easy to feel as though we are always on our "night job" all of the time, whether that is consistently working to bring ourselves out of bouts with anxiety, depression, or just feeling overwhelmed with emotions we can't even describe. And if you can relate to the lyrics in Bas & J. Cole's song, "my only adversary was my own mind," you know just how difficult the feeling can be of internally battling yourself.

I have honestly lost count of the amount of times that I've been called "weird," "emotional," or the nice-nasty version (as my mother would describe it), "unique." All of these words can also be used as ways to avoid calling someone "crazy."

Crazy: that word has always been a sensitive topic for me, particularly growing up around people with various forms of mental concerns and illnesses. Now, working in the mental health field and being engrossed in the art world, I can better understand just how the two connect.

I was always the quiet and sneaky child that thought about everything 20 times over before making a decision and that didn't speak up much for fear of being called "the weird kid," again. Art was my go to for a release and for a way to actually feel understood. Although I am much more social now, I still prefer a paintbrush and canvas as my outlet, and sometimes more than I prefer being around people.

Dealing with personal emotions looks different for everyone. And while self-care is so often just a concept that seems to be thrown around on social media, we really all have to find our own versions to cope with life's circumstances. Finding your own niche could be a mixture of things. Painting is my primary because it allows me to literally see the emotions that I feel in a visual form and focus my attention on what is directly in front of me. I can be present in the moment. I also love to listen to music, read, watch documentaries, and have a newfound appreciation for the sound of waves and certain scenery. Yes, I see a therapist on a consistent basis although I am a full-time counselor myself. I am a huge advocate for therapy, but also understand that it may work differently for everyone. The main goal is taking are of your mental health in the best way for YOU.

Because it is impossible to take care of anyone else unless you take care of yourself first. "Simultaneously pour and stay full." - Brittney Dennis (one of my favorite authors - check out her book "In Pursuit of Me" here: https://a.co/d/cYoFG2L)

"The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." - Stephen Covey

*My main thing is healing and dealing (with emotions). What's yours?