Another year done, so what's next?

Hi @Angels333. Do you have previous art works in existence that could form part of your portfolio? Maybe you might be able to talk more about what challenges you are facing in preparing for this. That might give us a better idea of how we could help you.

Ha! Cherry bomb's picture makes me laugh my butt off each time i see it! So cute! 🙂

Where DID you get that picture? At the 'cute picture shop'?

As you can see, Cherrybomb's picture has inspired me to get my own 'cute picture'. Coincidentally, the resemblance to me both physically and in demeanour is quite remarkable. I think I will go have lunch and then stand sentry with the rest of the family for a while now. Catch you later!

2015 was not the year I expected.

In February I moved to a new city to take up an amazing opportunity that I had wanted and worked towards for a long time. Then MH issues, which I had thought were long finished, kind of erupted in all their ugliness mid-year. I have managed to keep up the facade and juggle responsibilities reasonably well so that I haven't yet lost that 'amazing opportunity'... but it's come pretty close to the line a few times.

I guess my goal for 2016 is to continue clawing my way back to where I was a year ago, and carry on from there.

Not very inspiring I know.

You are wrong - you are EXTREMELY inspiring. People with mental illnesses have to fight constantly to make up ground for a number of reasons. I would say you are pretty much doing a super-human job, to tell the truth! Amazing 🙂

Briar, all the pressures on people with mental illnesses are downwards. What you have and are achieving is amazing! DON'T put too much pressure on yourself in addition to the pressures you already have on you. I worked full-time for 20 years until I gave up due far more to discrimination than ill health. Now I do volunteer work, go dancing, lunch with friends, write my books, do some home reno, read, shop (mostly second-hand shops, but i get designer stuff there), go on trips, do bible study and take up pretty much any volunteer job i want (supporting others with mental illnesses, freelance journalism, media releases for charities, manning stalls and speechifying, fund-raising, etc etc). If you are trying to hang in there in the paid workforce then you are brave indeed. I gave up on the paid workforce because they don't appreciate a good worker! I hope you find lots of time to relax and have fun too 🙂

Admittedly, I have been a bit miserable the past year but that is TOTALLY my fault. I had had a bad attitude and gone off my tablets, which i know help me. I had gone through a trauma that i COULD have avoided if i had had my thinking beanie on and have sort of walllowed in it all. As I say there is and will be divine justice for EVERYTHING that we all go through and we don't have to worry too much about that. Much suffering is sent from God to punish or correct us but not all of it. I mean, I have a luxury home, a generous free income and no obligations apart from turning up at parties on time (). I'm kidding myself if i think that's hardship. yes, i do have to go back on my tablets 'tho, as they improve things.

Thanks @Terry and @PeppiPatty. That means a lot.