My name is Caroline and I'm a freelance illustrator from Canada. I was inspired by Post it Forward (www.postitforward.tumblr.com) to create an illustration about ways that I practice self-care.
I am someone who lives with depression and anxiety. I have taken medications, been hospitalized, seen psychiatrists and psychologists, you name it. My story is nothing special, and generally I don't like to talk about my experience living with mental illnesses. I am trying to change that through illustrating.
For a while it was difficult for me to want to take care of myself. It's complex, but in a way, I didn't feel I deserved to be taken care of; but self-care is so important for mental health. Doing little things to take care of yourself is integral to feeling better. There will be good days, and there will be bad days- and it's on these days that I have to remind myself to practice self-care- but you can do little things to improve your mood.
What I have drawn are things that I have found work for me.
For example, I like to exercise because I always feel good after a workout, and when I am exercising, it is hard to think about any stresses (since I am focusing on completing a workout, just telling myself that I can complete it, no matter how hard it gets).
I like to treat myself to dark chocolate, because not only does it taste good, but studies have shown that eating dark chocolate lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
These practices may not work for you, so I encourage you to find what makes you feel good!
You can check out my work at the following links below:
http://www.carolinewillustration.ca
http://www.instagram.com/carolinew_illustration
http://www.carolinewillustration.tumblr.com
http://www.facebook.com/carolinewillustration
