Healing through the Lens: Using Photography to Shift Perspective and Increase Self Awareness

It is nearly a decade ago that I first picked up a camera, that I saw for the first time my world view through a fresh perspective. I noticed the environment that surrounded me in ways that previously had gone unnoticed. The more I explored photography the deeper my connection to nature and the outside world. Previously I had become disconnected, had lost motivation, and didn’t have a strong sense of direction. Having emigrated from England to Australia as mother of two children, I had lost my sense of self, my identity, began to suffer from anxiety and depression as I sought to find my purpose once my children started school. The camera was the tool to lead me back to feeling whole again, a chance to reconnect with my outer and inner world. The process was gentle, slowly progressive, but gradually I realized that many changes were taking place in my life because of photography. Every image that I captured was transferring an emotion, bringing my awareness to how I was feeling. The energy that I felt in that moment was evident in the images. Each image was telling a story of how it felt to be in that space at that particular time. Looking back over many years worth of images I began to see my story emerge, noticing growth, change, empowerment and transformation. The camera was transferring my sub-conscious thoughts and feelings into each image. By paying attention I could gain many insights into better understanding myself. Using the camera in order to heal is very diffe...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Anxiety Creativity Depression Divorce Mindfulness Parenting Personal Stories Personality Self-Help Stress Technology Coping Skills Creative Expression Emotional Expression loss Perspective Taking photography Positive Atti Source Type: news