Darkness That Opened My Eyes

by Joanne Braddy
 
This is my life dealing with depression and had been dealing with this sadness as long as I can remember.  I felt like I was trapped trapped inside my own mind I was locked away from my true  self. Always hiding from the world. 




 Eventually  my world crashed around me, I had a breakdown. I felt Like a Shadow was following me tormenting me. I was my worst enemy, I have a choice will I let this sadness consuming me, or will I fight, or lose myself completely.  I had to have the courage to go through  the darkness of my mind so I could see light at the end of the tunnel.


So I decided to push myself to paint what I feel, I found it so hard to put these feelings on the canvas.  With every stroke of the paint brush I was going through my emotions inside.  Each new painting was a new journey I had to take.  I felt like bits of my soul was coming out on to canvas for the world to see.


 I started to see my true self and my passion for self-awareness of mental illness through my paintings.  I felt like this is who I am, this is my path.  I know I may never get fully well my hole life.  Through  this endless darkness I find hope.