Photography, my safe place

All my life I have suffered from mental heath issues in the form of Depression and Anxiety and spent the best part of the last 40 yrs on various medications most of which I hated. I have also been through numerous rounds of therapy ranging from CBT, mindfulness to full psychoanalysis. In the end I have just found my own way through it. When we moved to France I came off all medication ( much to my wife’s displeasure and worry) I realised that as long as I kept busy and could spend as much time outside I would be reasonably ok. I also realised that I was better away from people so living where we do allows me the degree of isolation I want. I have never been a social animal, I find large gatherings awkward and stressful so always try and avoid them, I am much better in small groups or groups where I share a common interest such as the art groups and photographic forums I belong too.

The real things that keep my head in the right place are my love of wildlife and photography. I can loose myself in these, I can spend a day on my own photographing bird from a hidden the middle of winter and come home as refreshed as other people are after a beach holiday (my idea of hell btw). The same is true after spending hours editing photos on the Mac, I get the freedom of being creative that I get when I occasionally do some watercolour painting.

I am very lucky that I have the support of my wife who has to be very patient with me at times but understands me. A handful of family and close friends give me support me if I ask for it but generally I don’t anymore. Most people probably just think I am a bit strange and antisocial, but I don’t care (never have) as long as I have my our animals, our home and my safe place, photograph to escap