Hi, artists out there! I may not fully call myself one, but art and I have a long romantic relationship with each other.
It began when I watched Barbie movies as a child and binged on anime series simultaneously. So, my past time became drawing Barbies anime-style. I wish I could show you those, but it got lost in time.
Instead, I could show you these drawings from January 20, 2022, onwards. A series of sketches that saved my mental health back when I contracted the coronavirus.
Staying sane amidst sickness
COVID-19 is more than just a physical battle, but is a mental one as well. The World Health Organization (2022) said that reports of psychological distress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress increased during the pandemic.
Unfortunately, I was one of the people who got the virus while having a vulnerable state of mind. I was fresh out of my grandfather’s funeral, which was where we probably contracted the virus.
Upon arriving at the apartment, my throat was hoarse, and I instantly had a fever. My mind went to a hundred different places all at once.
“What if my symptoms worsen?”
“What if I need to be put inside an isolation facility?”
“What if this is it?”
But something deep inside of me said I wouldn’t give up. I will heal. I just have to cope. So I escaped reality by watching ‘Our Beloved Summer,’ a South Korean romantic comedy television series where BTS’ V sang their official soundtrack titled ‘Christmas Tree.’
The male lead character, Choi Ung, was a building illustrator. And here’s where you could tell that I assumed I was him.
Drawing helped my mental health
It began with a Japanese-style café, which was not bad since I hadn’t been drawing since college.
What started to be a quick art session after taking my meds, napping, and waking up with dread, became a mindful time to focus.
Raypole (2021) said drawing is a form of art therapy that “helps you tune into and express painful or difficult feelings you have trouble putting into words.”
It was a creative process where I explored different lines, shapes, and pen hold – I saw buildings in a new light.
There was an instant stress relief, and Raypole (2021) cited research that backed this up:
- 20 minutes of drawing improved negative mood symptoms (2007)
- 45 minutes of art therapy resulted in lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol (2016)
- Mindful coloring relieved text anxiety (2018)
Personally, it was important to be mindful when my thoughts could be one and then a million in just a split second. When I feel present, I’m not worried about what’s to come or what was lost.
Drawings as a testament
Now, I can reflect on these drawings and be reminded of my inner strength. I could even laugh about how serious I was about becoming a building illustrator like Choi Ung.
These pieces of paper now belong to a memory where I could lose my grip on life that easily, but I didn’t.
Thankfully, I recovered from COVID-19, and I wish to help others who are negatively impacted mentally. Maybe this is your sign of giving yourself an art session – take a break. Listen to music. Do some art. Whatever that may be.
Thank you for reading 💜 Have a healing day!
Leave a comment about art below and how did it help your mental health?
All photos are mine unless stated otherwise.
You're able to use your talent in recovering from your struggles in life. I salute you for that.
Continue being strong or shall I say stronger than before. ☺️ God bless.
Thank you @missleray 😊 God bless po!
You're welcome. ☺️
I love those drawings. !PIZZA and it's good that you've got well.
Hiii thanks for commenting 😊 I hope you are healthy and safe too!
I explored the artistic side to express my hidden emotions too, but it was a long time ago already. I cope differently now, but I'd like to try it again if I have some time to spare.
Btw, those sketches are nice!
When I watched Our Beloved Summer, I wanted to try what Choi Ung did. His artworks in the series are just soooo good and meaningful!
!PIZZA
Oooh, how do you cope now? 😊
Yep, Choi Ung's artworks were totally in a diff level 😂
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Wow a certified artist indeed! Good for you that you can express yourself thru drawing @ishwoundedhealer. Excellent work.
Thanks for appreciating the artworks @selflessgem 😊 Have a healing day!
empty houses and hesitant people. it's quite daunting talaga to enter someone else's life. ano kaya makikita mo? ano kaya mga fetishes meron sila?~
hahaha pero ang ganda ng drawing mo.
these rooftops reminds of assassin's creed games.
Galing mo po. 😊
@adamada, baka gusto mo kausapin si ate ish para magka graphic tablet. HAHAAHAHAHAHA
+1 for this
Wahahahha paki-explain nga po kung ano yun? 🤣
yung alin? 🤣
UYY FEET PICS!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I love those drawings! The perspectives and all. I am not that good at drawing using my hands but I cope with different things like listening to music, singing my heart out, or just sightseeing (especially watching the sunsets 😍) it is so therapeutic. It works for me to lighten up my mood and after that voila! Like magic, the negativities just vanished in thin air!
Ooohh 😍 I like the sound of singing your heart out, but I only do it in the shower 😂
These sketches are good Ish.
Can you share what's the message on this pic? This one struck me the most.
2nd floor tp. 2nd floor.
!PIZZA
There's not a big deep meaning to this, pero I liked lang na the house has a haunting feeling, but homey pa rin. There's a fancy woman looking at it 😂
hahaha I see akala ko may subliminal message eme, buti di ako nag assume.
I couldn't agree more. You're one amazing girl with such talent and it's good to know that you use them in expressing your loneliness into something artistic. This is very inspiring. Keep it up! 🥰
Gusto ko yung drawing sa last part. 😊
Thank youuuuu, ang encouraging naman ng words mo hehe 😍 Yung last drawing yung pinakalatest among the others, sinipag magdrawing hahaha
You're welcome 🥰
I can relate with this so much. Art has been for me like therapy, when I was through good and bad it stuck with me. I have painted when I had to deal with struggles. It has helped and still does.
I gifted $PIZZA slices here:
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True, the mental and emotional impact of isolation, fear of losing one's life is often overlooked while treating the physical condition.
We need to find ways and means of handing these stressors and holding on to our sanity.
Art or any hobby can be of great help in these situations.