Past Present Future
The work in this series refers to using grounding techniques as coping mechanisms for anxiety; using what is perceivable within our immediate surroundings to refocus on the present moment.
Look around you and notice:
5 things you can see.
4 things you can touch.
3 things you can hear.
2 things you can smell.
1 thing you can taste.
This tactic can bring the focus back to the physical environment rather than remaining at the mercy of anxiety about past experiences or possible future outcomes.
Some of the items depicted in these pieces are completely random - as if you were grabbing ahold of anything within arm’s reach to touch, hear, or smell. Other items refer to the unknown, the far away, or the immediate.
And while grounding is one of many ways to cope with overwhelming feelings, it’s essential also to recognize that all emotions are valid - they are messengers that help guide us. Anxiety has a lot of societal shame attached to it. We can break the stigma by becoming more aware of and vocal about the complexities of mental health.
