I created this design to reflect the detrimental effects unrealistic pressures of social media can have on a person’s mental well being. The constant use of filters and false narratives of how we should act and look to be perceived as being successful and happy.
That moment is captured when we look in the mirror and question why can’t I look like that or why can’t I be that successful by social media platforms and influencers.
And then realising it’s okay not to be okay sometimes and just accept you and your own worth.

I place a lot of pressure on myself in part because of the lack of control I have with my Crohn's, I have to remind myself that I am unable to control everything and that I deserve to take a break. Focusing on hobbies and passion projects, takes away that element of overwhelming pressure and allows me to unwind and create.

This design represents the experience I have with BDD-at times I can see my face as a jumbled up mixture of facial features, almost like Frankenstein’s monster or a patchwork face comprising of all the “wrong” parts.

This is my take on the well known emotions wheel, which in my eyes, is wayyy too perfect looking. My therapist tells me to try and identify with what emotion I am feeling. How about, “I don’t f***ing know!!” My emotions are all over the place and all I feel most of the time is anxiety, so how am I meant to work out what else I am feeling? But actually thanks to the hard work I have put in, in therapy, I am now able to appreciate that I am not anxious every second of the day, even though it sometimes feels like that. I do have other emotions. It’s just about identifying with them and knowing that they will pass, even though it feels like they won’t.