Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anna Mikhaela Reyes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Anna Mikhaela, we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
I have been battling mental health issues since I was a child. Racing thoughts, imposter syndrome, dissociation, OCD tendencies, and prolonged emotional heaviness were regular occurrences for me. As a child, I thought that everyone else around me experienced these same symptoms and that I had to accept them as my “normal” day-to-day life. Even in my early adulthood, I thought it was perfectly natural to sail through life without being in the present moment or feeling lonely even in a crowded room.
It wasn’t until I was in my mid-twenties when I realized that I had anxiety and only earlier this year that I was diagnosed with moderate depression. Before coming to these pivotal realizations, I did all I could to cope without the use of medication: I exercised regularly, invested in vitamins, supplements and adaptogens, and did my best to eat well. In 2019, I even halted my consumption of coffee and completely abstained from alcohol to keep my mental and emotional health as sharp as possible. I tried so, so hard to avoid medication primarily because I was contributing to the stigma of resorting to it as a failure. I thought succumbing to it meant that I had failed myself and my own body.
The moment I knew I couldn’t cope on my own anymore was when I chose to attend therapy, consult a psychiatrist, and receive prescribed medication. With lots of research and even reading encouraging messages on Reddit, I learned to embrace that requiring medication meant that it was simply chemical—my body’s neurotransmitters and hormones were not functioning correctly and that medication would allow them to operate more efficiently. I wasn’t failing, I just needed help. That understanding paired with therapy and routine journal writing are the best contributions I make towards bettering my emotional and mental health. With these tools, my mind becomes quiet and at peace. I no longer feel like I am bearing or dragging myself through each day and, instead, feel ready to take on new challenges instead of avoiding them. I also feel more confident about myself and my work and am better able to build and foster genuine connections with others.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a contemporary conceptual visual artist that creates drawings primarily using charcoal in varied combinations with watercolor, chalk pastel, and colored pencils. My work focuses on psychology, trauma, and intrapersonal explorations and is communicated through the depiction of human anatomy alongside symbolic botanical illustrations. My charcoal drawings of the human figure embody the “grey area” representation of the experiences of humankind while the full color botanical elements represent the rich, vibrant lessons that is taught by the natural world.
My newest series is titled Narcissus, which explores the mental and emotional impacts of narcissistic abuse. Its associated pieces will be exhibited alongside my full collection at 2023 The Other Art Fair DFW at Dallas Market Hall from October 5th to October 8th, where a booth will be designated for sale of my original works and prints.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Honesty, empathy, and the ability to listen have never failed me.
Honesty towards yourself and others will allow you to see behind the veil of what society expects and into your own intentions as well as the intentions of those around you. Maintaining a journal fosters candidness by keeping you accountable for your own reflections, emotions, and ideas. A journal also helps to unravel your thoughts and sort them into concepts that can be more clearly communicated in your work.
Empathy will provide you with the privilege to understand different situations through multiple perspectives and learn more lessons than one would expect in a lifetime. Read books! Reading builds empathy by presenting a peek into another’s mind and encouraging the act of simply observing—not judging—their unique ideas and viewpoints.
The ability to listen will enable you to build true, authentic connections with others and, in turn, foster a true and authentic connection with yourself. Be present with others and truly digest their insights—consider each person’s moment of sharing to be a gift and treat it as such.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I think it depends on the situation. As a basis, I think knowing your strengths and simply understanding where you fall short is key to being more well-rounded. No one has it all, of course, so meeting yourself where you are is important when it comes to recognizing where your next step is. Everyone is different, as is their individual rate of growth—progress is not linear. Depending on circumstance, each person will know inherently when it is time for them to push (focus on areas that need improvement) and when it is time for them to stay comfortable (rely on their strengths).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.annamikhaela.com/
- Instagram: anna.mikhaela.art
Image Credits
Joseph Izganics
