Painting has always been a passion of mine, truly for as long as I can remember.
Even as a child, I found myself to always be my most free-thinking and self-aware when I had a paintbrush in my hand.
However, like many as I grew up I gained new hobbies, forgetting old ones. I no longer had interest in painting like I used to.
Nonetheless, when I found myself unmotivated and depressed during this “new normal” I turned back to my old passion to reconnect with myself.
While it took some getting used to, I quickly began to remember how much I loved this old passion of mine.
As the days and quarantine passed I began to paint bit by bit. I slowly became more skillful and precise with my brushstrokes each week, challenging myself to do more and be better, even if I had to try a few times.
Painting also gave me an opportunity to spend time with my twin sister.
She and I live apart most of the year, so these past few months have been the first time we’ve spent more than a few months together in over 3 years.
Painting also helped me to be more reflective and thoughtful; having the time set aside to talk with my sister helped me to work on my communication skills.
But often, I would just sit thoughtfully to myself, giving the space and opportunity to be as absentminded or actively thinking as I wanted to be.
It is truly amazing to think about how something that you lose touch with can bring you right back down to earth.