What to do when you feel like sh*t - 7 fantastic, free resources for tough times

March 08, 2021 in mental wellness, coping strategies, anxiety management, trauma recovery

It’s been a super challenging time for a long time now, and although there are awesome good things happening, we’re still living in a time of extreme uncertainty. It’s totally normal to have times where you feel it’s all too much (I do!).

Some things that have been getting me through:

Loading up the You Feel Like Shit website, answering the questions, and following the prompts. (Note: seems to only work on desktop and not mobile.)
Listening to and following this breathwork meditation, with headphones (sometimes alone, and sometimes with friends).
Loading up a silly dance workout video, “Grumble Boogie” (see the videos tab). Always makes me smile and laugh, even when I’m crying!
Laying down and listening to “yoga nidra for sleep” by Jennifer Piercy (also available free on the “Insight Timer” app).
Loading up the sounds of rain in a forest or rain on a tent, or a cat purring, or a combination of these, using the free “Rain Rain” app.
Listening to a podcast. My favourites include:
- “Uncommon Sense” by Amy Mullins (juicy Long-form conversations about politics and current events, international affairs, history, art, books, and the natural world);
- “Song Baker” with Sam Buckingham (real talk with female creators);
- “This American Life” with Ira Glass
Browsing art! You can see my available paintings on my website or scroll through my Instagram (includes timelapse videos of my painting process). People tell me this makes them feel brighter and more hopeful about the future. I also enjoy following Sarah Firth, Gorkie, Nadia Dusselberg, Nikki Frankel, and L M Martin.

Harassing strangers and begging them to let you take photos of their cute dog to look at later is also legit. ;)

What about you? Do you have other free tools that you’d like to share? Comment below!

Merri Creek Glows Even in the Dark_vibrant abstract floral art by Melbourne artist, Rose Wintergreen, 2020.JPG

There is Always Light, Somewhere

January 08, 2021 in coping strategies, paintings

There’s always light. Keep looking, it is there, every day, somewhere. I made this in the depths of despair, in the middle of winter in lockdown that ended up lasting 14 weeks.

A friend posted a black and white photo of a walk by the creek. Everything had been looking grey to me. But something about his black and white photo tickled my brain. I had an impression of the golden light play, even though it was grey scale. It occurred to me I should probably try and draw it. It felt too hard and pointless, like most things at that time. I made myself start anyway, just in case it helped. It did.

If you’re having a rough time, and it’s all feeling too hard, keep doing the things you know might help. Eat that meal, drink that water, have that nap, move your body, let yourself follow any instinct about what might light your spirit - listen to that old favourite song, pick up that pencil, headbang-roar-dance-run to that Rammstein or Death Grips album.

It is a challenging time. But you are not alone. Keep looking for the light and let it move through you. And we will continue to move through this time together.

Merri Creek Glows Even in the Dark_black frame_vibrant abstract floral art by Melbourne artist, Rose Wintergreen, 2020.JPG

Available to buy, contact me for info. “The Merri Creek Glows Even in the Dark”, gold ink (shines in the light), pastel and pencil on paper. Original artwork by Rose Wintergreen, inspired by a photograph by Brendan Bonsack.

Coming back to lifedrawing after lockdown

November 24, 2020 in lifedrawing, anxiety management

How surreal and magical to be able to be in a room with other people, drawing a nude model, after spending more than 6 months alone in lockdown. I’m not going to lie, it was extremely overwhelming.

One line female nude lifedrawing in charcoal - by Rose Wintergreen, 2020 - blindcontour abstract expressionist

One line female nude lifedrawing in pencil on A3 paper - by Rose Wintergreen, 2020 - blindcontour abstract expressionist

I had moments of panic (“Oh my god, this is too much, why am I not chilling out alone in my own peaceful company instead?!”), but also happy silent weeping of gratitude tears. It felt so indulgent to be allowed to see another human’s face unmasked for so long (2 hours!), and to be allowed to explore every shape of it slowly.

Ursula (my inner critic) was like: “Make good drawings! You paid money for this! Don’t waste it!”, which was awful pressure. But I noticed it happening and spoke back to her silently: “dude, that’s so unrealistic and unfair! She’s not had any opportunity to do life drawing in almost a year, she’s still not used to being in a room with more than one person at once, let alone this many, and yeah, she used to be able to make some good drawings sometimes, but she’s going to be rusty. Stop being so harsh. Just coming here at all and sitting down with the drawing materials is a huge achievement in itself. She’s here for the pleasure of it, to play and explore and take her attention for a walk. Not to be crushed and bullied. Back off!”

Close up - one line female hand lifedrawing in pencil on A3 paper - by Rose Wintergreen, 2020 - blindcontour abstract expressionist

I am so grateful I consciously noticed it happening and talked back to Ursula. It meant I managed to land. I even enjoyed a bit of time where I lost myself in the flow and forgot about the strangeness.

Nothing existed except for the noticing of shapes and the model’s emotional energy, and the physical sensation of the charcoal scratching across the page. Absolutely blissfully present. I live for those moments.

One line female nude lifedrawing charcoal and pastel on A3 paper - by Rose Wintergreen, 2020 - blindcontour abstract expressionist

I’ve been cultivating these moments more intentionally. Drawing without looking at the page does it, which is why I don’t let myself look. Breath-work meditation helps, too. I was doing some breath-work under my mask at times in this class last night, too. Breathe in for 3 seconds. Hold for 5. Exhale for 7 seconds. Repeating it 5 times or more helps me land again when my mind takes off.