When I Feel Bad - At The Library

Image Description: Text in large black capital letters, in a blocky font reads: When I Feel Bad. The text is centred on the page and takes up most of the space. Below, text in smaller capital letters, reads A Colouring Book, by Mary @Invalid_Art

Image Description: Black text on a white background: “When I have feelings that are….Big, hard, horrible, uncomfortable, yucky I use lots of tools to help myself feel better……(if you associate the big words on this page with any particular colours or shapes go ahead and draw over it). The words “Big, hard, horrible, uncomfortable, yucky” are in extra large block capital outline text.

Image Description: Black text on a white background: “If it’s not too scary, I sit and listen to my feelings. I’m often surprised that there is a different feeling hiding underneath everything”. A line drawing of a face with medium length hair has a thought bubble coming out of their head. Inside the thought bubble text reads: “Hmm, what is this feeling? Am I lonely? Do I need a hug? Did I eat enough today? Am I worried about money, or a loved one or something else? Do I feel stuck? Is my grumpiness actually masking fear?” Beneath this is another thought bubble. Inside, text read: “Use this space to explore your feelings. Remember that there are no “wrong” or “weird” feelings, all humans experience all the same feelings.”

Image Description: Black text on a white background: “I ask myself some questions about the feelings. Will it pass on its own? What 3 easy things could I do for my own wellbeing? Should I tell people? Do I need to take other actions? Am I safe? Have I felt like this before, did it pass?” Along side the text is a large outline of a questions mark, which has been filled in with a black and white pattern resembling flowers and flower petals. At the bottom of the page, text reads: “[If you associate the big words on this page with any particular colours or shapes, go ahead and draw all over it.]”

Image description: Black text and line drawings on a white background: “I use a website called the “self care flow chart” and I find it can always make me feel calmer, it reminds me how to care for myself when I’ve forgotten, and it does it in a really gentle step-by-step way. It asks me if I’ve remembered to: Eat, Drink, Take meds, Rest, Find a safe environment, Clean up my space, Check if I need company or to be alone, Clean and groom myself, Do a relaxation exercise for 15 minutes, Check if I need to do something else like block an unsafe person on Facebook, Do some ‘grounding’ exercises, Try spending 15 minutes accomplishing 1 small task, Reach out, even if it’s in a tiny way, like sending a nice dog video. Maybe a tiny bit of movement for 15 minutes to clear out your tension, 30 minutes of fun – maybe watching a favourite TV show, crafting, playing a game on your phone etc. [If you associate anything on this page with any particular colours or shapers, go ahead and draw all over it.] ” Surrounding the text are line drawings of a slice of pizza, a toothbrush, a mug of drink, a brush, and a pill.

Image description: Black text on a white background: “My counsellor taught me that when something really upsetting or shocking happens we should treat it like any other injury.” Beneath this, a number of words are scattered about the page. The text is in large black outlined letters: “Films, Nesting, Naps, Water, Hugs, Rest, Treats, Sharing.” Beneath this small black text on a white background: [If you associate the big words on this page with any particular colours or shapes, go ahead and draw all over it.]”

Image Description: A simplified line drawing of a plant, in black, on a white background. At the bottom of the drawing, text reads: The thoughts I use to soothe myself, and some space for yours. The plant has 12 leaves of varying sizes. Within the outline of some of the larger leaves there is text, whilst some of the leaves remain empty. In the top right hand leaf, the text reads: Most people have felt how I feel today. In the top left hand leaf the text reads: Texting a nice person will probably help a bit. In a leaf towards the bottom of the plant, text reads: It’s okay to say ‘no’ today. In the bottom left hand leaf, text reads: You’ve survived all your bad days. In the bottom right hand leaf, text reads It’s okay to ask reassurance.

Image description: Large black text and line drawing on a white background: “Grounding”. Beneath this is a line drawing of a stone. It has a mottled surface and a chunky black shadow beneath it. Text beneath the drawing reads: “This is my stone. My counsellor gave me a rock and invited me to imagine that the rock is full of safety. Having PTSD means that I can suddenly feel unsafe in safe situations. I rub the rock in my pocket to remind me that I’m safe; I feel it’s weight, rub it’s ridges and simples, feel it’s temperature, see it’s different colours, smell it, listen to the sounds of it being rubbed against different textures. Using your senses like this is a way to ‘ground’ yourself when you feel overwhelmed. It doesn’t have to be with a stone, it could be anything. [colour it in or scribble all around it, whatever you want]”

Image description: Large black text and line drawing on a white background. Text reads: “If I can’t do anything on my worst days, I try to create one small visual thing and it really helps me feel less stuck”. Beneath this is a simplified line drawing of an origami crane. Beneath, text reads: “I really like learning Origami on YouTube, then keeping Origami paper by my bed for tough nights. {If you associate anything on this page with any particular colours or shapes go ahead and draw all over it.]

Image description: Large black text and line drawing on a white background. Text reads: ” As i get older, I see that my feeling are like weather, even the really BIG FEELINGS. So I don’t need to worry too much about getting stuck, new weather will come along soon, and there is always blue sky hiding up there behind it all. [If you associate the big words on this page with any particular colours or shapes, go ahead and draw all over it.] The words “Big Feelings” are extra large and in outline text. At the top left of the page is a line drawing of a cloud with a cute little face, it’s blowing curly lines representing wind from its mouth, and is raining a flurry of rain drops.

Image description: Black text on a white background. Text reads: ” Things that might be helpful if you cannot access therapy. This list uses lots of jargon words, but you might find bits helpful. Library books. Support groups/’meet up’ groups. Journaling/keeping a diary. Apps. Sensory stimulation like ‘stim’ toys or carrying a snack or scented item that evokes calming memories. Videos made by people like ‘The School of Life’ on YouTube. Nurturing a plant from seed. Connecting online with people who face similar circumstances. Following therapists on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook who face similar experiences as you and produce resources to reasure and validate. Medication. Makeng 1 small change. Whatever that means to you. Creative expression – try a new thing. Learn a new skill – we learn a lot about ourselves when we try something that we know we aren’t good at yet. Helplines – national or local, broad or specific. Workshops from www.get.gg. Using ‘the self care flow chart by Jace Harr (google).

Image Description: A black line drawing on a white background of a bobbed hair cut with a fringe. The face of the person whose hair it is is missing. Beneath this black text on a white background: “This was made by Mary. Instagram – @invalid_art, commissioned by Bella Milroy and the Human Library Project for World Mental Health Day 2019 at Bootle Library”.