Printing in my sisters art studio — a peaceful haven

Extract from Stronger Every Mile

Taking Care of My Mental Health

Even when it felt like the whole world was against me, I was fortunate enough to have my mum around to support me. We chatted, laughed and went out for breakfast. We also went to watch uplifting films at the cinema. She was my closest ally and enabled me to feel human again.

The importance of having someone to talk to cannot be underestimated. A conversation with a dependable friend, relative, or therapist can help us make sense of our emotions when our problems are weighing us down.

I remember watching an interview on TV where Ed Sheeran mentioned how helpful he had found talking to a therapist, saying it was a way of venting without feeling guilty.

In England, there is a bit of a stigma associated with going to see a therapist because it is thought that it shows weakness. For this reason, it is normally treated as a last resort, whereas the problem should be addressed early on. There is no shame in talking to a therapist. On the contrary, it’s a sign of strength. I had a couple of friends who had been to see one and it had helped them dramatically. I felt lucky for the closeness that I shared with my mum. She was great at sitting back and listening, allowing me to talk for as long as I needed or as long as time would allow.

I found that regular physical activity was a powerful strategy for coping with my anxiety and sadness. So, whether I opted for brisk walking, swimming, or running, engaging in exercise helped me clear away the clutter inside my head, even if it was only temporary. The feel-good endorphins released during exercise helped me feel better. I always found, particularly after running, that I felt an incredible sense of happiness.

Reading books on mindfulness and taking ‘time out’ to be in the moment proved immensely beneficial. These practices kept me rooted in the present, reducing anxiety about what lay ahead or lingering on past events.

I tried to think of activities that would bring me happiness. I thought signing up for a class, being in a different environment and meeting new people could give me a new sense of enthusiasm. I had always wanted to do a cooking course, learn how to print and do a glass-making workshop.

I mentioned this to my older sister Ava, an artist, who invited me and my mum over to France to teach us how to print. We spent several days in her art studio, working on her printing press and surrounded by her wonderful life-size canvases of vultures. I was completely absorbed.

Time flew as I drew and then cut out card images of Canada geese, covered them in ink, put them in the printing press and turned them into images that flew across the page. I loved the feeling of freedom that they represented.

Sometimes, I put too much paper in, so Ava had to help me push down the levers that controlled the giant roller, which flattened the images onto the paper. It was here that I discovered my love of Canada geese.

We went on some wonderful hikes up in the hills and enjoyed being surrounded by the rustic beauty of the French countryside.

When I returned home, I bought a small printing press with the help and incredible generosity of my mum and Ava. I spent my spare time drawing, cutting and printing. During this time of creativity, I felt inspired, content and relaxed.