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Releasing, East Baltimore Nature Photography
BY NIKIEA
Releasing, East Baltimore Nature Photography
BY NIKIEA
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Thank you, Thank you, Thank YOU for your support.
PAPERBACK FORMAT, 100 NATURE PHOTOGRAPHS, PRINTED LOCALLY ONLY
PAPERBACK FORMAT, 100 NATURE PHOTOGRAPHS, PRINTED LOCALLY ONLY
WHY RELEASING IS IMPORTANT TO ME.
In January 2022, I hit an emotional rock bottom. With many wellness tools including walking in nature, I was able to cope with the shame of not saying "goodbye" to my sister, to my former partner, to missed experiences, to my pre-mommy identity. I was drowning in "why's" and "how could you's." Shame felt like a friend. I could barely work. Definitely fell back into self-isolating. I fought hard to find joy in playing with my son.
Time felt still. My heart was so broken.
In a session, my therapist asked me what I thought I needed in the moment to feel grounded. I responded, "I just wanna go to beach. I want to hear the waves, by myself." Then we started planning how I'd get there and what I'd need to make time to travel.
Then non-judgingly she said something I'll always remember: "Yes, going to the beach is a nice thing to plan. And also, what can you do to find some release right now, with what you have access to right now?"
"I wish I could get a Crabcake and Caesar salad from Koco's today."
We both laughed. She asked me to make a list of all the things I had access to without much money or needing to make an extensive plan. I started remembering all the things that bring me joy and comfort. Like smelling essential oils, stretching, actually making time to prepare a smoothie, eating a piece of chocolate, and walking. Together we made an action plan to check some of those things off every day. Starting with one and then some days trying two or three.
Days after the session ended, I felt called to the woods. I'd dream about it. I'd look up at every tree I was under. I've always craved running while being surrounded by trees. But honestly trying out for cross country in high school still has me traumatized. That's a definite "nah" for me. But there was something to that call within the woods. It was a release I hadn't explored enough.
One morning after daycare drop-off, I took a detour from checking my emails and decided to try walking a trail...alone. Fighting flashes of every Michael Myers movie (pre-2000's). I braved the Herring Run trail. It was literally a half-mile pathway and found myself hearing my heart's pace change. I was okay. No Michael in sight. Just trees, birds, little messy puddles of mud from the morning rainfall, and ME.
The Kids Scoop kid in me had to snap a few pictures to document "the day I snuck away" from work. Then it came to me, I should add these in a book. I've been a beach photographer for years, but there's something so special about appreciating the nature in my neighborhood.
"Releasing" is my time capsule to remember, I'll always have access to peace of mind within the moment.
Thanks to the concerned neighbors and city workers in East Baltimore, I'll always have a close place to visit when I need a reset "right now".
Come take a walk with me, on the Eastside!
Time felt still. My heart was so broken.
In a session, my therapist asked me what I thought I needed in the moment to feel grounded. I responded, "I just wanna go to beach. I want to hear the waves, by myself." Then we started planning how I'd get there and what I'd need to make time to travel.
Then non-judgingly she said something I'll always remember: "Yes, going to the beach is a nice thing to plan. And also, what can you do to find some release right now, with what you have access to right now?"
"I wish I could get a Crabcake and Caesar salad from Koco's today."
We both laughed. She asked me to make a list of all the things I had access to without much money or needing to make an extensive plan. I started remembering all the things that bring me joy and comfort. Like smelling essential oils, stretching, actually making time to prepare a smoothie, eating a piece of chocolate, and walking. Together we made an action plan to check some of those things off every day. Starting with one and then some days trying two or three.
Days after the session ended, I felt called to the woods. I'd dream about it. I'd look up at every tree I was under. I've always craved running while being surrounded by trees. But honestly trying out for cross country in high school still has me traumatized. That's a definite "nah" for me. But there was something to that call within the woods. It was a release I hadn't explored enough.
One morning after daycare drop-off, I took a detour from checking my emails and decided to try walking a trail...alone. Fighting flashes of every Michael Myers movie (pre-2000's). I braved the Herring Run trail. It was literally a half-mile pathway and found myself hearing my heart's pace change. I was okay. No Michael in sight. Just trees, birds, little messy puddles of mud from the morning rainfall, and ME.
The Kids Scoop kid in me had to snap a few pictures to document "the day I snuck away" from work. Then it came to me, I should add these in a book. I've been a beach photographer for years, but there's something so special about appreciating the nature in my neighborhood.
"Releasing" is my time capsule to remember, I'll always have access to peace of mind within the moment.
Thanks to the concerned neighbors and city workers in East Baltimore, I'll always have a close place to visit when I need a reset "right now".
Come take a walk with me, on the Eastside!
