Kat
Jul 14, 20213 min
Kat interviews Dinah, a member of our Mona Community
Dinah first discovered a love of writing as a child in primary school. Since then she has always been inspired to write as a form of self love, expression and therapy.
Dinah decided to submit her work to Mona after a friend encourgared her to share. We got in touch and chatted with her over the phone to learn more about her.
“I find it's really therapeutic to write things down. I write nearly every day whether it’s just journaling or writing poetry. I have Bipolar and my mind usually works really fast so I find trying to put that into a more positive channel I’m able to really express myself.”
“I think optimism is a really beneficial tool to use. For me personally, being optimistic helps me feel good inside myself. If you are calm and level then the world around you follows suit.
“It might sound a little ‘airy fairy’ but I do think it’s beneficial to focus on the good in life. We all have ups and downs but if you can remain optimistic, I think your exterior world follows.”
By Dinah
I cried myself to sleep last night with all good reasons why,
It seemed to be a comforting, yet mournful, lullaby.
I could swim out through the ocean, where I would not be seen,
Or, instead, evolve, and become much more than what I’ve been.
If I’m feeling mortified and do not quite know why,
I’ll drown my pillows and my eyes with this mournful lullaby.
And when it’s out and over, and the tears are good and gone,
I’ll pick this heart back up and smile,
I’m strong
so I’ll go on.
“I have my ‘ups and downs’ but I find writing really helps me to be able to deal with those times. I find that when my mind gets a little bit ‘racey’ it helps to write down what I’m thinking and feeling. I find meditation and yoga really help me too.
"I think there is still a lot of stigma around mental illness and it’s still not very understood but a lot people deal with some form of mental illness throughout their lives. But I really believe an illness doesn’t define someone. It’s just like if someone has diabetes or high blood pressure. They have to take medication for it. Well mental illness is no different. It’s just like any other illness.”
“I’ve battled a lot through life just like many other people and I think a good way of dealing with it, is to express it through art or writing. It’s been really helpful for me at least.”
"You really have to appreciate yourself. It’s not selfish to be kind and loving to yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. You really have to look after yourself doing things that help you feel whole and complete. Then you will have more to give.”