Disclose
Type: Digital art
Size: 30 x 38 cm
Description
This work portrays a person who is currently having a professional consultation regarding their
mental condition, allowing them to open up and accept who they are as a whole self. The figure
with a giraffe-looking head represents the therapist.
mental condition, allowing them to open up and accept who they are as a whole self. The figure
with a giraffe-looking head represents the therapist.
In the totem anima, the gentle giraffe symbolizes grace, peace, individuality, protection,
communication, perception, and farsightedness. It encourages the totem holder to
become strong yet gentle, and brave but kind. In this work, I want it to be any person you
feel safe to be who you are with.
I was consequently afraid of opening up to someone. It felt like trying to open up a bottle of coke
you have shaken excessively — it explodes; leaving you this feeling of discomfort.
Most of the time, I don’t mind not telling everyone everything, but somethings are better off your
chest, isn’t it? Like, I know no one likes to hear bad news, but the truth is that the consequences
of refusing to listen or talk about upsetting issues can be far more painful and damaging than
the experience of discussing them to others. The problem was I always felt worried about what
people think of me when I talked to them about me; the aftermath. What kind of a person I am to
them now? Will they look at me the same way after this? These questions lingered in my mind
for god knows how long and I am getting sick of it simply because it made me feel vulnerable.
Now how did I manage to face this fear of opening up? Coming to therapist and finding people I
can click with worked, somehow.
chest, isn’t it? Like, I know no one likes to hear bad news, but the truth is that the consequences
of refusing to listen or talk about upsetting issues can be far more painful and damaging than
the experience of discussing them to others. The problem was I always felt worried about what
people think of me when I talked to them about me; the aftermath. What kind of a person I am to
them now? Will they look at me the same way after this? These questions lingered in my mind
for god knows how long and I am getting sick of it simply because it made me feel vulnerable.
Now how did I manage to face this fear of opening up? Coming to therapist and finding people I
can click with worked, somehow.
My understanding is that when you meet someone you feel safe with, you start going beyond
the basic small talk. You start being more interested in each other’s minds and at this point, you
have a choice. You can avoid talking about those things because it makes you feel
uncomfortable, or you can slowly peel away at your defensiveness and reveals bits and pieces
of your soft innards.
Vulnerability is a funny, terrifying thing. I don’t really know how to beat my beast, what I know is that you don’t owe anyone anything that you don’t want to share or feel comfortable sharing. Feel free to talk. Do not let anyone try to dictate what you feel.
