I believe healing isn't a destination. It's a intentional practice.

Solitude teaches you so much about yourself. It teaches you that your dreams aren't too unrealistic to pursue. And that no matter how hopeless things feel right now, you're allowed to take up space and know that you're worthy of it.

I learned this the hard way. I dropped out of high school at 17 because of depression and spent almost a decade in and out of minimum-wage jobs, held back by panic attacks, perfectionism and self-sabotage.

After my biggest mental breakdown, I picked up watercolour painting. The plan wasn't to become an artist. I just needed an escape from my mental and emotional chaos.

I taught myself at 23, cried through most of my early paintings and kept going anyway.

Painting became more than just a coping mechanism. Slowly, it became therapy and proof I could rebuild my life even after the trauma and hopelessness.

In 2023, I left my day job for good and became a full-time artist, in hopes to share the important message about mental health, healing and self-compassion.