The Mouse Archive – The Upside Down Chronicles

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The Mouse Archive

upsidedownchronicles

Poet, artist, facilitator, MH blogger, OT student. Guide dog handler and advocate. Physically blind, mentally ill and spiritually creative. 🐭🏳️‍🌈

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We’ve finally moved into the Mouse House! It’s a bit scary but exciting all in one. I’m currently waiting to interview potential personal assistants, fingers crossed we have some good applicants 🤞🏻 PD: image one shows mice jumping around, sleeping and lying on Imogen’s new bed. Image 2 shows two mice on a window sill. In condensation on the glass they have written ‘New Start’. Image 3, 4 and 5 show the various rooms. Image 6 shows Imogen’s collection of colourful rabbit soft toys lining a shelf. The final image shows the living room lit by sensory lights.

#beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#mindfullness #peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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Be the change you’ve been waiting for. It’s so easy to just wait and wait for something or someone to change, until the day you realise you can hold the change in YOUR hands. Take it: think, evolve and grow. 🌿🌱🌿 PD: a cartoon mouse, Mouse, holds a leaf. Above their head in the more leaves drift in the air. Text reads: “be the change you’ve been waiting for”. #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#mindfullness #peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#climatestrike#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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You can learn more about a person from their dreams than their circumstances. In dreams nothing holds us back. 🦋

Inspired by some of my favourite @shane_koyczan lines.
PD: Mouse stretches in a blue striped night shirt, eyes closed and sleepy. A quote by Shane Koyczan reads: “So don’t try walking a mile in my shoes. Just wear my pyjamas and walk in my dreams instead.” #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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I believe you. And you should believe you too. 💚

PD: a drawing of a mouse standing alone with yellow bubbles behind. Text reads: ‘I believe you (and you should believe you too)
#beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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It’s okay to need help. Whether it is sometimes, often, daily. A little or a lottle. Whether you are big or small. Repeat after me: It is okay to need help.
PD: A girl kneels on the floor. She wears a long sleeved green top with denim dungarees. She has pink and grey socks and long brown hair that reaches the floor as she sits on her feet. A mouse is perched on her shoulder running a large comb through her hair while a mouse on the floor begins to plait her long hair. Another tiny mouse supervises. Text reads ‘It’s okay to need help’. #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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Waiting Room Woes.
I am scared of doctors. I’ve had some very bad experiences and it seems that even with my great GP these worries come racing as soon as I sit on the infamous blue plastic chairs. Anyone else? My appointment today actually went really well, but I know the same worries will bother me next time too 😂
PD: Drawing. A mouse sits on a blue plastic chair with arms and legs crossed anxiously. Text surrounds Mouse with different worries. These are: ‘Oh gosh I hope I don’t get that cough’, ‘Thanks poster for reminding me how expensive appointments are’, ‘Am I an appointment waster?’, ‘Are they before me?’, ‘Will the doctor listen to me?’, ‘I hope I’m not dying’ and *Runs through mental script*. #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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We Stick Together. That’s how we get through the dark. Hold onto my tail, we will be alright. 💚🐭 .
PD: Drawing. In the dark three mice walk tentatively in line. The first holds a large torch shining ahead. Both mice following hold the mouse in front’s tail so all three are joined.

#beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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There’s been a few unexpected life events recently but things are starting to look up. I swear life just throws this stuff at us for a laugh.
PD: Mouse stands looking at a cardboard box. It is taped with ‘fragile’ tape and has a sign saying ‘handle with care’. Attached with a smiley face sticker is a note which reads: “Dear Mouse, I thought I’d liven things up. Yours, Life. Xxx”. Mouse is panic reading a large red book entitled ‘What to do in a crisis’. Mouse days: “Not another unforeseen life event. How do I deal with this one?”. #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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What I wish was under my (mental) sink. Wouldn’t it be great to have some of these in your coping tool kit? What would you like under your mental sink?

PD: A drawing of an under the sink cupboard. The pipe leading to the sink is visible. Text reads “What I Would Like Under My Sink”. A blue spray bottle reads ‘Bam and the thought is gone’. An orange spray can is labelled ‘day polish’ and a packet reads ‘memory wipes’. A yellow feather duster has an arrow and caption reading ‘dust self down duster’ and a black rubber plunger has a caption reading ‘plunger for unblocking problems’. toy.
#beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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My world is a very mixed up place. Seeing and hearing things other people can’t can be a blessing and a curse. Sometimes I see and hear horrific things, but other times I see weirdly wonderful stuff. It’s a mixed bag but it’s my normal.
PD; a photograph of the back of Imogen walking towards the sea, her yellow Labrador assistance dog, Noodle, by her side. Drawn onto the photo are the mice, one is sailing a small sail boat, another is surfing a wave. Two walk either side of Imogen and Noodle.

#beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#hallucinations#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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It’s not been the best of times, I seem to have been inhabiting this island a lot over the last few months. but things are slowly improving and I’m escaping the island 💫 Sorry for the lack of new posts, I’ve not been in a place to draw but I’m slowly rebooting 👍
PD: A circle map is split into four sections. One has trees on it and is labelled ‘anxious forest’. Another is a cold blue labelled dark place with a large glacier labelled ‘the glacier of Agh’. The quarter to the west is a beach with waves labelled ‘sea of problems’. Finally in the north is a mountain range labelled Mountain of ‘What If’. In the centre of the island, where all the quadrants meet, is a mark that says ‘me’. Text reads: “Where have I been? It’s a long story.” #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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Happy Pride Month Everybody!! A month to celebrate the rainbow as a spectrum of all sorts of beauty- different races, abilities, genders and minds. As a disabled person access to pride events can sometimes be tricky. The most obvious example of it going wrong was one time where there was no disabled viewing area, and my guide dog was very close to being trampled by the crowd with no way out. I asked if we could step into the ‘press’ enclosure just to stay safe. The answer was: “No, you aren’t press. You can see the sign man [interpreter] from there”. I mean kudos to them for having an interpreter, but I had just explained that I am blind and the dog in question was a guide dog. I don’t need an interpreter. 🙈
In the end I clung to a security guard and my friend with Noodle in between and hoped for the best. I was very glad to get away! These events need to be accessible- you can’t call it a rainbow with some of the colours missing. In the end that’s all disability is, a different coloured fragment of being human 🌈 HAPPY PRIDE MONTH.

PS: How could I not do a post about #pridemonth without some pictures with my beautiful girlfriend?

#beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#pride#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#diversityandinclusion #originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#accessibility#artistscommunity#depressionart#queerartist#theeverydayproject#queerart#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#lgbtq

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I’ve not been able to watch the news recently because it makes me so angry and sad. In any context, in every situation: if it isn’t your body it isn’t your choice. End of.
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PD: Mouse stands with hands on hips alongside the words- Not your body- Not your choice. Mouse adds: End of.
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#alabama#prochoice#prochoiceisprolife#abortionrights#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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Well meant advice can be more than a little patronising. OF COURSE I need to do things to lift my mood. But sometimes it just doesn’t lift, no matter how forcefully I do mood lifting activities.
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Disclaimer: I do not watch videos of dying puppies for kicks.
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PD: A speech bubble coming from out of the frame says “You should focus on activities that will lift your mood...” Mouse stands, arms crossed and eyebrows raised in suspicion. Mouse says: “Oh really... I thought videos of dying puppies were the way forward...” .
#beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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It’s all a bit hard at the moment.

PD: a towering muscular figure drawn in quick black lines stands with red in his chest and hands on his hips. Below him is a tiny grey mouse looking up with hands on their hips. The looming figure has expletives around their head represented in mixtures of punctuation.

#beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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I feel like this needs saying sometimes. I see so many stories and posts of people in distress. If crying on stories is your emotional release- go for it. But you don’t have to prove how much you are struggling to anyone. I see this especially with young people trapped in toxic online communities. Your emotions are valid, whether shared online or not. You don’t need to take pictures of every plate you eat or every tear you shed. No one will see you as better or worse. Your pain and emotions are valid, online and offline.

PD: multicoloured words on a yellow background: “you don’t need to take sad selfies to prove you are struggling”. #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#illustration#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate

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Today I finished my last Occupational Therapy placement of the year! Even though this placement has clashed with major life-quakes I’ve somehow managed to finish it, and I’m so glad I did even if it did mean 4hrs travelling a day. My educator was an awesome OT with a very ‘can do’ attitude and she helped me find ways of doing things my disability would not let me do in the conventional way. Like using an app to measure patients’ legs to work out the chair heights they’ll need instead of using a tape measure, and pulling wheelchairs backwards so that my guide dog can guide us safely. It’s been awesome. This is a drawing I did for my educator’s thank you card. Trauma and Orthopaedics it’s been a blast- Now just that 8,000 word portfolio to write! 😂💚 #occupationaltherapy#OT#otstudent #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#illustration#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate

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It’s about shifting perspectives, spotting the party in the emotional tsunami. You can’t stop the waves from coming, but you can readjust your lilo and party on.
This little mouse is for one of my favourite accounts @kisscub . As part of my occupational therapy degree I follow all sorts of wonderful accounts which give me insights into how people live with a wide variety of conditions I have no experience of in the hope it will make me a better practitioner. Grace documents the life of her daughter Ami-Grace who has an infectious smile and complex health conditions. These tough cookies are expert at finding the pool party within the life event tsunami and have taught me so much 💚
PD: A mouse lies peacefully on a green lilo holding a cocktail glass and a piece of cheese. Enormous waves tower above Mouse as he floats on. The sky has dark clouds.
Text reads “Some would call this a tsunami, I call it a pool party.” #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#illustration#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate

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Hope.
There hasn’t been that much of this recently. In fact sometimes I think hope is completely gone. I’m slowly learning to see the tiny raindrops falling at my feet as greater things above. Tiny drops of hope mean hope is still alive, even if it’s up in the clouds and I can’t see it.
Did you find a tiny speck of hope today?
PD: Mouse stands beneath a golden cloud labelled hope. Tiny multicoloured raindrops come from the cloud and fall around Mouse leaving rainbow drops on the floor. Mouse has their arms outstretched and is looking up in awe.
#beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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STILL HERE
Hi. It’s been a while. It’s been quite busy at the mouse house recently. First uni deadlines, then social services stuff to sort, now I’m on my new OT placement in orthopaedics. We are just about managing to balance ‘scary’ with ‘good’ at the moment. Thank you for the people checking up on me and watching my stories. They include a lot of sensory/coping techniques at the moment because that’s what I’m doing most of the time. I hope to get back to art really soon. Thanks for sticking around 💚💫💚 PD: a mouse stands on a yellow background. The mouse is a light beige colour and is holding a cardboard sign that reads ‘still here’. #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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I’ve not been in the mood for drawing recently but this @katieabey hashtag caught my interest.
Hi I’m Imogen and I write and draw about life as a blind creative with a rowdy head.
#anatomyofanillustrator

PD: A drawing of Imogen standing in a blue dress, patterned leggings and rainbow Dr Marten boots. She has green short hair and glasses. In one hand is an iPad and Apple Pencil, in the other is a fidget toy. By her side is a golden Labrador guide dog. Above her head is ’the head gang’: a dark figure, a child’s face and two ghosts one blue and one purple. All these things are labelled onto the drawing.

#beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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Brain is getting a bit big for his boots at the moment 🙄
Oh pleaaase not another flip chart presentation on why I’m stupid/not good enough/‘wrong’ tonight.

PD: a pink brain with arms and legs stands accusingly pointing at Mouse. Brain has eyes, one blue arm, one red arm and his cheeks are blushed from shouting. Brain is standing in front of a flip chart holding a piece of paper that reads: ‘reasons why Mouse is rubbish- by Brain’. Mouse is sitting pensively staring ahead at Brain watching the presentation. Brain says: ‘And that is reason 398 why you are not good enough.’. #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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I DONT KNOW.
This is something I say A LOT. Especially when I’m in high anxiety mode. Questions get overwhelming and I know the answers but I can’t give them without setting off a million thought processes. My automatic shield is: I DON’T KNOW. It is very far from ideal.
PD: A simple sketched outline of a girls face shadowed with watercolour. Her eyes are closed, mouth is neutral and her hair drifts to the right in a breeze. The words “I don’t know” come from her mouth and a thought bubble reads behind her head “I do know but I’m too anxious”

#beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#illustration#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#PTSD#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate

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It’s okay to need space.
Sometimes we just need time out from being social... and that is okay! The trick is noticing when you are starting to show signs of needing space. Classic signs are being irritable and tense. Take some time, just for you, to reset.
PD: Mouse sits cross legged in a space helmet on a moon-like planet. The sky is different shades of blue and has a scattering of stars. Text reads “it’s okay to need space”. #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#illustration#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#PTSD#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate

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It’s not easy behind here...
It hasn’t been an easy few weeks. But as always if you smile, people think you are fine. SO MANY people wear masks. You are not alone.
PD: A small mouse peeks around the side of a giant yellow smiley face. Text reads: “It’s not easy behind here.” #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#illustration#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate

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THE (UN)SOCIAL WORKER.
This week I had the joy of meeting my new social worker, who isn’t like this at all 😂. I drew this beforehand, while worrying what she might be like. I’ve had a mix of social workers over the last six years, but this one seems lovely and really listened to my concerns. Also what beats a bit of word play to calm pre-meeting nerves?

PD: A woman wearing a stained white shirt and sunglasses is slumped in a chair. A cigarette hangs from her mouth and she holds another cigarette in her limp hand. Under the chair is a large bottle of ‘Smircoff’. Her feet rest idly on some files labelled ‘case notes’ and ‘disability rights’. Flies circle around her. She says “Why don’t you just sort it yourself and F*ck off”. She is labelled ‘The UNsocial Worker’. #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#socialworkers#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#endpillshaming

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Mental Health Service Logic.
PD: comic is titled ‘Mental Health Service Logic’. In the first picture Mouse looks distressed with flushed cheeks and tears running down their face. They tell a silhouetted mental health worker: “I’m desperate. I feel unsafe. I feel so low”. The mental health worker replies: “Righty ho, I’ll see you in two months”. In the second picture Mouse is shrugging and looks calm. They say: “I’ve been alright. Ups and downs.” The mental health worker replies: “ah ha. I’ll book you in tomorrow. Here’s the crisis number.” #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#endpillshaming

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I LIKE MY MEDICATED SELF BEST- and that’s okay! There is such a taboo about taking medication for mental illness. But for me, there is no ‘unmedicated self’ - because she would never have survived. My antipsychotics and antidepressants keep me alive and enable me to enjoy life. That is something I refuse to be ashamed about. IT IS OKAY TO TAKE MEDICATION IF YOU NEED IT. It is NOT a weakness. 💫

#beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#endpillshaming

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I quite often find myself in situations where something could go really well or really badly. Sometimes I need a reminder that if I take the leap, yes I could fall, but I might fly. Then there is also the middle ground!

PD: Mouse has on some multi coloured wings. Text reads “but what if you fly?” #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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What Anxiety Feels Like.
I feel like anxiety is a many tentacled thing. It traps you in its arms, and convinces you that it is anything but itself. For me every time it is: ‘do I have a stomach bug? Or is it anxiety?’. 99.9% of the time it is anxiety, and in many ways that is worse than a 24hr bug.
I think people underestimate how much anxiety can affect the human body and how ill it can make somebody. It can take over your body without you even knowing. I was inspired by @glitterygnomie’s awesome drawing, and wanted to write down what anxiety feels like for me as a reminder to myself (even though I forgot hand biting!).
#beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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Managing mental health (and mental ill health) is always a challenge, sometimes it feels like a roller skate stumble.
PD: title reads ‘managing my mental health like...’. Below the title is a drawing of mouse in rollerblades, falling precariously to one side and with one foot off the ground. The rollerblades go ‘clunk’ and ‘click’. Mouse screams “Agh!”. #beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#PTSD#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#sadart#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#theeverydayproject#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#voicesinmyhead

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Love is Love, and it is just that simple. •
PD: drawing. two mice hold hands facing each other with a heart between them. Around them are interlocked gender signs symbolising different genders in relationships including trans and non binary, heterosexual and homosexual. Text reads ‘love is love. It’s just that simple’. The background is pastel rainbow stripes.
#beboldbecreativebeyou#anxietyart#arttherapy#doitfortheprocess#artjournal#mentalhealthart#artsanity#digitalart#instaart#artistsofinstagram#queerart#howamifeelingg#calledtobecreative#creativeart#artaddict#createdtocreate#loveislove#mymessylife#originalcharacter#linedrawing#webcomic#peoplescreatives#artistscommunity#depressionart#getmessyartjournal#pride#mentalillnessrecovery#itsokaynottobeokay#mentalhealthadvocate#queerartists

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Upside Down Chronicles

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Hello,
You don't really need to know that much about me in all honesty. If you know me in real life you probably came across this pigeon hole in the internet because I either funnelled you here through social media or I muttered the fatal phrase to you: "I blog". Just a note: All the characters in my life who appear in this blog are anonymised and/or abbreviated unless I was granted specific permission to do otherwise.

I am nineteen years old. I love learning and I have a passion for languages, equality, the written word and good health care. I can't see much, but I get by. I unwillingly share my everyday life with a concoction of severe mental illnesses. I've spent a year in CAMHS inpatient treatment, experienced various states of homelessness and a lot of fighting for causes that shouldn't need fighting.

Outside of the various battles; I am a performance poet, assistance dog handler, writer and storyteller.

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