Broken beyond repair

For the largest part of my life I was convinced I was broken beyond repair. I wasn’t being dramatic. I had proof: my behavior was self-destructive, in my relationships I was afraid to be myself, I was constantly exhausted, showing up at work was a daily struggle, and my family history is filled with addiction, neglect and mental health problems.

Years of therapy didn’t seem to help, neither did medication. I had good moments, but below the surface I was miserable and nothing could provide me with any prospect of improvement. I had to just accept being broken.

In one of my lowest moments I asked my doctor to refer me to a psychiatrist. She gave me two names. I called one of them, not expecting much.

It was a long, painful and slow process, but that psychiatrist gave me something I had never had: hope. For the first time I am excited to explore my life, see what the future brings. He made me see that I had been wrong all along. I am not broken. I never was.

If you would have described my current life to forty-year old me, I would have called you a fool. But here I am, preparing for my first art fair, creating a collection of paintings that tells my story of not being broken after all.

(We are) Never Broken will premiere at the art fair Artist Meeting at the Grand Casino Knokke, August 18th, 19th and 20th. I would love to meet you there.
(I’ll send you free tickets, if you like)