Time to move on

Arty-Folks has helped me discover more about myself and supported me to embrace these things. It’s given me the safe space to try new activities and reminded me that it’s OK to fail.

The activities became a bit like a mirror for me – showing me how much some of my habits and ways of thinking were holding me back. This brought up a lot of emotions for me and was really challenging. But that also highlighted, how much I was actually struggling, and how much my perfectionism, people pleasing and low self-esteem were really impacting my life (which was actually way more than I thought).

For me, it’s not an exaggeration to say that being part of this group has been life changing. That sounds dramatic, but when you feel like your life is over and there’s no place in this world for you, and you’ve been drowning in the dark for so long – it is dramatic. It’s impact on me has been dramatic.

Having the kind, gentle support of Lorella, Liz and Taz has brought me back to life. Throughout, they’ve all been encouraging, inspiring and fun whilst also challenging me to be honest with myself, to ask myself what needs to shift for change to happen. I’ve found that difficult at times but they knew exactly what I needed at exactly the right time. The art projects have been comforting, challenging and revealing. And when I’ve felt bad about myself because I was comparing myself to others, the art and the group became a place to explore these feelings and share them with other people who had felt the same. That was a real comfort, the other members of the group became a really important part of it all for me too. It showed me that support can come from very different people, but because you’re all navigating a challenging time, that support really gives you a boost. My time at the group (approx. 9 months) has brought me a pong way from where I started when I tentatively went along to the first of the intro sessions. The art exploration, the discussions it provoked and the unwavering support at Arty-folks had cleared a space in me for real healing (which is just the very beginning really), making me feel like I want to step out into the world and experience new things. Because of my time at Arty-folks I have found some joy, some excitement and a real feeling of possibility. Its cracked me wide open, and made me realise that their could be a time when I fully accept myself and find my way back into the light. The possibilities feel endless. I am able to say that I am courageous, I am brave, I am strong and I have control over what happens next. And that is the greatest gift anyone could have given, when everything had felt so impossible. I would not be in the place lam now without Arty-folks and that just a fact. So that’s why I feel I can say, with hope, courage and such gratitude, that now is the right time to move on.

New Opportunities

How do I know it’s time to move on?

I have new opportunities on the horizon.

And I was only able to find them, and be in the position to feel able/excited to try these new things, because of the guidance and support I’ve found here.

After 9 months of support, and a real in-depth discussion with Lorella (what needs to shift for me to move forward & exercises around my self-esteem & boundaries) she helped me to break through a block and asked me to try adding another activity into my week. I felt emotionally drained afterwards but it lit a spark in me. The following week I made myself go along to a group called Foundry Wood Wellbeing (I had attended just once before, over 16 months ago, but I wasn’t in the right place for it then).

Wow, how that shifted everything. They were so welcoming and I felt so free in the woods. I felt like I’d found something really special, where I could carry on working on everything I’ve started with Arty-Folks. I love nature and it’s in my hometown, Leamington Spa.

And this has spurned more shifts in other areas:

• I’ve been accepted onto a Compassion Focused Therapy course through the mental health team which starts in late March/Apr
• I’ve got a place on a 6-week Art for Wellbeing course in March
• I’m going to be volunteering with the Foundry Woodland group as well as attending:
  • Becoming an ambassador – giving talks, attracting new members, helping at events, buddy system.
  • Helping with prep for group sessions – using pizza oven, woodland skills, supporting new members to group.
  • Made some new friends and discovering new possibilities and I feel excited about my progress.

I’m also ready to start swimming again and rediscovering/exploring my love of photography.

So, thank you, wholeheartedly to Lorella and Liz. You’ve help bring me home to myself and increased my love for art and trying new things. Forever grateful, Kelly x