You're A Worrier, And Not The Good Kind

A PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF ANXIETY

After reading George Bell’s article on depression, I felt that I should say a thing or two about anxiety. But I was reluctant at first, as we can see from the fact that I’m writing this anonymously. I wondered if it would be relevant to the three things that The Artistic Collaborative is a celebration of: art, travel and culture. I have a lot of time for art and travel in my life, though I don’t think this has anything to do with the anxiety I face. However, I then realised that anxiety is incredibly culturally relevant, particularly the kind that I experience. My worries in recent years, have been a lot to do with how others, and by extension, society, view me. What is and isn’t socially acceptable.

But do you know what, when I hear of how the government is trying to address the fact that mental health is hugely underfunded, I think, do I really need a reason to justify writing this? The reality is 1 in 4 people experience mental health problems every year, and I firmly believe that the more we openly talk about it, the better chance we have of tackling it.

If anxiety was an artwork. Or maybe I just chose this because it looks quite jokes

Confidence of a Child (Part 2)

For Part One - click here

Confidence of a Child (Part 1)

Dancing is a strange thing isn’t? Like... you swing an arm that way, move your foot this way, shake your head like this and wiggle your body like that, to sounds that you hear (or think you hear). Yet it’s so freeing, it just feels right. It’s a very personal thing, this strange thing we call dance. Like singing, everybody does it. Everybody has that little person inside them that just wants to break free, run amok, dancing and singing. Unfortunately, the majority of us leave that person caged within the confines of our bedroom, shower, whenever we’re alone and away from the judgement of others. This is the story of how I grew the confidence to break away from my own self-imposed prison, accomplishing a dream, an ambition, to perform live in front of an audience.

How it all came down to this one moment.

Photo courtesy of Sophie Stevens Photography

For Those Who Are Lost

You there: stop. Are you happy with where you stand right now? And I don’t mean behind your screen reading this, I mean generally with your life and purpose. Not crazy happy but do you feel like you are on your way?

The Importance of Travel

Story by Francis Henderson

“Travelling and exploring the world teaches you more crucial and long-lasting lessons than you could ever learn in any classroom”. 

A bold statement and one I fully believe to be true. And by "travelling" I don't mean simply visiting different places, but immersing yourself in the experience of being there.