Yesterday at work, I facilitated a group of ten people hoping to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.
Today, I’m experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress — not because of that group, but because of my own inner reactions to what I’m perceiving in the world around me.
Therefore, I shall now use some skills we discuss in therapy groups, including
- reaching out to supportive people,
- accepting what is,
- identifying achievable next steps, and
- focusing on positive images.
Here are some images I captured yesterday — the first two at work and the rest at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts.
I believe it helps to look closer, even at things that are difficult to see. For example, I saw this inside, at the Museum of Fine Arts.
When I looked closer, I saw through it, to the outside.
Seeing through to the outside, with this post, is helping me now.
Thanks for looking along with me, today.
Thanks for posting these photos, they’re stunning. Great advice too, focusing on positive images really helps me when I have a difficult time.
Thanks for posting this comment, which is helping me a lot. ❤
You’re welcome 🙂 I hope you had a good day today and have a great day tomorrow. Anxiety is so hard for me to understand because I feel like I’m so deep in it all the time I can’t see the forest for the trees so I appreciate it when someone, like you, writes things in a way that I can understand 🙂
Thank you again; you continue to make my days better by expressing yourself here.
Same for me 🙂
I think you’re brilliant Ann, you’re doing so well, and I love this blog. I love pictures and the mixture of both classic and modern art you saw. Please take it easy, no need to rush anything Ann. Do one thing at a time (mindfulness). Please be at peace!
Thank you for this brilliantly peaceful and lovely comment, Maria.
Let Oscar and Harley be your “human whisperers”, that’s right, we need whisperers also!
You are right, Maria. Pets are wonderful for reducing anxiety, depression, and stress.
Hey Harley, why don’t we start a business called: “The Human Whisperers”, “The Solution to Reducing Anxiety, depression, and stress”.
I agree! Pets would be adopted a lot quicker, but we would have to train them first.
I can feel my anxiety, depression and stress getting lighter!
❤️
Art can help you see the world in a more finely tuned sense, Ann. And one’s self as well. You are so right! Thanks for the chance to gander and focus here, my friend.
You can help me see the world in a more finely tuned sense, Mark. So wonderful to see you here!
These are trying times for the sensitive soul, Ann.
p.s. This seems to help. https://vanbytheriver.wordpress.com/2015/12/03/take-a-moment/
Coincidentally, Van, the topic for my therapy group tonight was “sensitivity.” Thank you for soothing this sensitive soul. ❤
Hi An, that is some very interesting art. I must say some of it is a little shocking to the senses, especially the big baby head statue. I don’t know quite what to make of it. I myself am a little shaken up by the news of late, and almost feel like our society is returning to the days of the Wild, Wild West. I have decided I am going to change my perspective and not read the news anymore for a while. It is all so unnerving. I wonder if becoming agoraphobic might be the safest way to go.
Hope you have a lovely day. Be safe and happy!!!!!!
Thank you, as always, SD, for sharing your lovely perspective here. I wish you safety and happiness, also.
Thanks Ann!!!!!
I love that you bring together old and new works of art, but my eye was immediately drawn to what appeared to be serious damage to a wall and ceiling before I realized it was framed. That makes me think about how a problem can be changed simply by the way we frame it.
This comment is perfectly framed. Thank you, Chris.
It really is wonderful to lose yourself in art 🙂
It really is wonderful to see you here.
I will mentally extend my hand to you today, Ann, and offer you comfort. I hope your feelings of anxiety evaporate and your depression lifts.
That piece of art with the unexpected vista is so much like life,isn’t it? Step back, step forward, really look.
I love the way you step forward, Maureen. Many thanks.
The Leaky Ceiling piece was more like emotional torture than art, for me. I’ve spent two many hours on ladders, fixing pipes and plaster.
(Too, not two)
I appreciate all the hours you’ve spent here at my blog!
Thank you for sharing your amazing art, Maria!
I just wrote a post similar yet different, about taking care of one’s self. Lots of bad juju out there — the key is how to deal with it without letting it affect you. And btw — I love the collage-look of your first set of pics. Makes the blog/pics easier to see and take in.
I love your post and this comment, Claudia!
You should love yourself for all the good you do for others, but I know what you mean. I do guilt. I snuggle into my warm, safe bed at night… and then remember all those who are cold, in danger and have nowhere to sleep. I know my guilt helps no one, so I try to concentrate on people close to me that I can help.
The artwork is fabulous (except the Kokoschka and the Freud) and the last one, seeing through to the world is a wonderful idea.
You should love yourself too, Hilary. I appreciate your visits so much!
It’s so good when you post simple, concrete advice and even better when you remember to follow it yourself. I hope it’s working. Thanks for taking us to the museum. The thing I liked best was the creature colored pink, yellow and blue, but that may have been from your group!
OMG. The thing you liked best was something I drew for group, where we were discussing “adapting.” I was trying to show a chameleon adapting by blending in with its background colors. Now I’m trying to adapt to your incredibly flattering comment. ❤
It seemed an attractive little creature! And mysterious as well….
That attractive and mysterious creature thanks you for this comment.
Awesome photos Ann! It open the mind and heart… And allows us in the moments of awe and appreciation to let go. 💛
I”m having a moment of awe and appreciation letting go of stress and taking in your comment, Val. ❤
That’s pretty epic, finding the secret peep-holes. It seems like there is some kind of life-lesson there that I need to figure out. I hope you’re feeling better. 🙂
We’re all figuring out life lessons and I am feeling better. Thank you!
You do so much for others.
As do you, Julie. You did a lot for me with this comment. ❤
Sometimes if you don’t react with those feelings there is something wrong or you are out of touch
Your wisdom reduces my anxiety, depression, and stress, Derrick.
The fine art is also curative.
Thank you for this fine observation.
Focusing on the positives does help. An article in today’s “Orlando Sentinel” focusd on an increase of college students at UCF (University of Central Florida) being Baker Acted. Sad. Students do need coping skills when they’re on their own so they can be flexible when they encounter challenges.
I’m focusing on the positive qualities you bring here, Judy.
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Take care and stay positive by focusing on outside things as you did here. We all have inner turmoil that we must deal with daily. It is how we process it all and stay on an even keel that is important. The love and support of family and friends can heal one’s tattered soul. Be well! Blessings to you!
This was a very healing and positive comment. Many thanks!
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