Getting an earlier start on the blog because I'm already consumed with anxiety. :smile: As the title eludes: I intend for this to be a sketch blog for anything I generate while relieving stress/anxiety basically.

The past two years have undoubtedly been the most challenging years thus far in terms of personal growth. I'm not sure if I made a huge impact in the old forums. I know I was a lot more reserved. Had a bit of a traumatic experience last semester but it made me kinda realize that any of my previous fears about being social are stupid.

Agreed to do something tomorrow that is completely out of my comfort zone. Involves public speaking. :skull: Needed to zen out and doodle for a smidge.

So with that said, hi. Here's the closest thing to a self portrait I'll ever make lol.

Hi there c:

Aw, we all have fears for a reason, whether we might consciously know it or not. I wish you lots of good luck and courage with your public speaking event. It's something I can relate to all too well x)

The stress doodle looks great, the expression is beautiful, as well as the gesture of the hands (hands are evil).

Doodle your anxiety away I'd say :')

That's one hell of a way to relieve stress, by making amazing pictures!
If you want a pain free way to practice being social, then forums really are a good way to do it :smile:
Hope you will feel good here, the self-portrait is stunning, lots of character and expression while also keeping it simple and clean, very nice!

@soluxos Hi. c: Thank you so much; I survived lol. And the experience can go on my CV so win/win.
Hands are indeed evil and tedious but I've always kinda had fun with them.

@acolet Thank you. :smile: Definitely feel that this is the right community to share/be a bit more sociable with.

Little food for thought actually...might get a smidge too deep/feel free to skip over it. So a reoccurring conversation I keep having with my colleagues is because science is so demanding on us--especially for those of us who are women and more prone to impostor syndrome--is that having an outlet, a non-science outlet, is critical for our well-being. Whether painting, knitting, printmaking. I know quite a few of us who need to take a break from the demands, the anxiety, the failure we face every day to emotionally recuperate.