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With anxiety I've got used to wearing a mask and creating an impression of who I am.

So I thought therefore I must be a good impressionist. Do you see what I've done there, one of the things anxiety also affects is my ability to be side splittingly funny, but I still think I am. Anyway, I digress.

One of my recent discoveries in my mental health journey has been watercolour paints. Or more specifically the pleasure and head space obtained from painting a usually pretty shit picture.

Armed with a £3 watercolour set from The Works (other value shops are available - no one is yet sponsoring this blog but if anyone from The Works is reading please get in touch), and a £3 five inch square canvas (also from The Works - I go there a lot) I sat on a beach and painted the view. 

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It was a revelation.

Not the painting, that was extremely average but the process of painting.

I was entirely absorbed in what i was doing for the hour it took me to realise how hard water and boats are to paint.

I suppose in a way it was a kind of mindfulness meditation. All my attention was on the view, the paint, how much the boat sail I captured didn't really look much like a sail.

It gave my brain a lovely mini break. No other thoughts intruded. It was just me, the view of the bay and the paint. 

I tried fruit next.






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I don't think I'll try fruit again.

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I painted a person after that. That really wasn't good, but it made me and the person who was lucky enough to be my muse laugh, so it was good in that way. I'm not sharing that one. Then I tried flowers.

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I turned the tele off to do the flowers (they're supposed to be Tulips if you can't tell). It doesn't matter to me that its not great (and I'm definitely not fishing for compliments) but it matters that it gave my brain some time off.

So maybe try something new. You might be good at it. More importantly it might be good for you.

We know exercise and connecting with people are good for anxiety, but if you're not feeling like that then a quick trip to the shops, a view of google images and an hour of 'masterpiece' creation is an excellent way to relax. 

I did this one today. I actually think its not bad (mine is on the right), although stars are bloody hard to paint.

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It actually looks a lot better not next to the original, honest.

I might try pottery next, so I shall be watching Ghost tonight to do my research.

"Ohhhhhh, my love, my darling, I've hungered for your touch......"

Take Care

​Paul