Photography is a healthy way of distracting myself from negative thoughts
If I’m feeling particularly anxious or sad for no particular reason, I often find that the best thing I can do is to distract myself in a constructive way - a way that I will thank myself for later. When we have unhelpful thoughts or emotions, it can sometimes be better to distract ourselves from them rather than focus on them to the point that they overwhelm us, and photography keeps me busy with my eyes and my hands rather than my thoughts.
I go outside and my senses are heightened - I focus on the swaying of the leaves in the wind; the tiny movements of birds; the way that natural light changes, illuminating and casting shadows on the world in different ways. Photography lets me fully distract myself from my anxieties in a healthy and creative way that benefits me in the long run.
I go outside and my senses are heightened - I focus on the swaying of the leaves in the wind; the tiny movements of birds; the way that natural light changes, illuminating and casting shadows on the world in different ways. Photography lets me fully distract myself from my anxieties in a healthy and creative way that benefits me in the long run.
It gives me time to focus on what I find beautiful in the world
I love nature; I love leaves, birds, flowers, raindrops, long grass, tiny insects. When I’m feeling low, I go out into nature with my camera to capture the beautiful things that I don't usually have time to notice.
This is especially important to me in autumn when my Seasonal Affective Disorder kicks in. I focus on the tiny details of autumn that make it so breathtakingly beautiful - the colours of the leaves, the acorns and horse chestnuts scattered on the ground, the wild fruit growing in the hedgerows - instead of being overwhelmed by the cold and the darkness that would otherwise drag me down.
This is especially important to me in autumn when my Seasonal Affective Disorder kicks in. I focus on the tiny details of autumn that make it so breathtakingly beautiful - the colours of the leaves, the acorns and horse chestnuts scattered on the ground, the wild fruit growing in the hedgerows - instead of being overwhelmed by the cold and the darkness that would otherwise drag me down.
It puts everything in perspective
It brings me so much peace to observe nature. To watch a grasshopper in the afternoon sun, knowing that something so small exists for a purpose; knowing that in its own, tiny way, its contribution to the world is somehow worthwhile. The world is just that little bit different with that grasshopper being there. Even if I feel that I will never do anything profound in life, maybe I won’t change the world, but nevertheless I am here, I exist, and just like the grasshopper maybe I will make a difference - even if it’s only for one moment, I make a difference to one person by simply being there.
Photography is a lesson in acceptance and perseverance
Often I will come home after an adventure with my camera only to find I’ve taken 200 photographs and not a single one is usable. Of course this can be disheartening, but it gives me the chance to accept that I won’t always get the perfect photo every time. We just can't get it right all the time, but it's okay; even with 200 failed attempts and nothing to show for it, there is always next time. And there will always be a next time.