Your experience at high school sounds very scary. I can't imagine what that was like for you.
I haven't experienced anything like that. But I would say that learning photography in the park has helped my mental health immeasurably through a very difficult time. A few years ago I was really ill, and after the illness I was diagnosed as having post infective fatigue. I went from being really fit and healthy, and having a job that I loved working as an animator for a really cool company, to being exhausted and a shadow of who I used to be. I left my job to give myself space to get well, which was the weirdest feeling in the world as I've always had a job. Thankfully my husband was very supportive. No one could tell me how long it would take to feel normal again, which was very upsetting and stressful. It was during my recuperation that I bought my camera as I needed to do something creative, and I've always felt that I had a good eye for composition. I live close to Richmond Park, and on the days when I felt like I had enough energy, I would drag myself there and take photos, and teach myself how to use the camera properly. I'm now much better, I've been back working for my old company for over a year, but freelancing, which is nice as I quite like having time off in between jobs as I can do other things. I don't think I'll ever want a full time job again.
The weird thing is that although it was an absolutely miserable experience, it exposed me to photography. I didn't realise at the time that it would become an obsessive hobby, and bring me so much joy. Plus, I suddenly found a whole bunch of amazing people on social media who have the same passion that I do. As well as all the other photographers who also go to the park. I've met some really nice people.
So the illness ended up shaping my life in an unexpectedly positive way. I guess it's also the reason that I'm now on Hive sharing my photos. I suppose the take away for me from my own experience is that out of a horrible situation, I was given a new creative way to express myself, and so I wouldn't change what happened to me, even though it was very hard to go though at the time.
Thanks for sharing your story. It was really thought provoking, hence my quite long comment! :)
Thank you so much for sharing your experience too! At the time we can't imagine how anything positive could come from such seemingly negative times in our lives. We see a downward trend that only points to more sadness and troubles. With all the crypto charts I've been looking at I can't help but notice a correlation. When things are going down for a few days it feels like the peak was reached and nothing will ever be the same. Then a month later there's a new all time high and I wonder why I was ever worried in the first place! We may not have charts for our lives but our memories and experiences show us that we're in control of setting new all time highs after a down trend.
That's a good analogy!
Life is a roller coaster, and I think that as long as I can recognise that, it makes the down bits a little easier to get through.
BTW - I never commented on your collection of photographs - they are absolutely amazing. The infinite pattern arrangement is very cool... :)
Thank you very much :)