“Making art is helpful on multiple fronts—writing affirmations helps counter my negativity, drawing colorful animals is therapeutic, and helping others is the most effective way I’ve found to break out of fogs of hopelessness.”
This interview (with illustrator Kate Allan) is by Sara Barnes on the My Modern Met website. It begins:
“Illustrator Kate Allan was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder as an adult. The identification not only validated her experience, but it has given her the opportunity to use her artistic talent to help herself and others in the quest for improved mental health. Allan has taken what she’s learned since entering therapy to create a mental health comic about mindfulness. ‘Mindfulness,’ she says on Twitter, ‘can be useful for literally everyone, but I found it particularly helpful for anxiety—this exercise got me out of the house and functioning again.’
Through the guidance of a cute bunny, Allan’s 10-panel comic introduces mindfulness and how it can help pinpoint emotions. By noticing, acknowledging, and thinking through feelings, the practice emphasizes that emotions are temporary—not part of our identity. You, for example, are not sad, but you are experiencing sadness at this moment. The feeling will pass, just as all others eventually will. Allan treats this serious subject without judgment and through a charming presentation. It’s thoughtfully created and, above all, is comforting to those who have anxiety; Allan is reminding us that no one is alone …”
You can read more – and view the 10-panel comic that introduces mindfulness and how it can help pinpoint emotions – from here.
