Over the last month or so, I have been taking part in weekly Mindfulness for pain sessions via the NHS. When I was first offered them, I was pretty reluctant to try them because I didn’t think it was what my life or mindset needed. I was hoping for a different kind of therapy or help from the doctors to help with my symptoms and the root cause. I have always struggled to get doctors to listen to me and several chronic diagnoses later, I still get frustrated with the process. I have dealt with chronic pain and fatigue for years and I’m very in tune with my body as a result of living with that. However, what I didn’t realise was that mindfulness can help to refocus the brain to the positives around me and unlock the creative part of my brain where contentment can be found.

Throughout the course, I went to each session with an open mind and really tried to focus in on what was being said. I usually struggle to sit still for too long (undiagnosed adhd plus physical discomfort) but I was surprised to find the sessions really engaging and exciting! I even went for mindful walks with my partner afterwards and started to notice features on the houses on my street I had never noticed before. The joy I felt from being so present was really nice. I also had this same joy when I was taking part in the visual mindfulness task on the course. I felt my mind go from an extreme state of foggy fatigue to full of inspiration from things I could see in my house and garden! It was incredible to have my brain switch like that. I would usually give in to that fog and have a nap or stare into space feeling rubbish. So now I have this great coping mechanism.

As a result of this discovery, I started to ponder the possibility of hosting mindfulness painting workshops. The next thing I know, a message pops up on my phone about being a workshop facilitator for Youth Art Connect who I volunteer for. They help children and adults with their mental health through accessible art sessions. I suggested hosting mindfulness painting workshops with them and they said yes! It’s a dream come true to combine my history of care work with my current role as an artist. Helping people through my art really makes me feel fulfilled.

I am pleased to announce that my first session with Youth Art Connect will be Monday 25th September - Bookable from YAC’s website. These sessions will be every Monday up until Christmas at Old Bakery Studios, Truro.

I will also be hosting some Microsoft Teams sessions for anyone who can’t make the in-person sessions - These will be bookable via my website. Please go to: https://www.cltabstracts.co.uk

Oh and 1 more thing! The random photos at the top of this blog post are the things I noticed when doing the visual mindfulness task. There were so many textures, colours and patterns around me and so I took snapshots of them and then created a layered painting based on them. The possibilities are endless! It’s magical! I can’t wait to share this technique with you soon 🥰