I’m not one for sport. At school I was the last to be picked for the team in PE, except in basketball as I was the tallest girl in the year. As a result, physical activities have never been a priority for me.
However, I’ve always loved music, photography, reading, comedy, art, making things, writing and most recently gardening – really anything that sparks my imagination.
Growing up, creativity was a way to express myself - bad poetry, listening to indie music and decorating my bedroom walls with posters from Smash Hits.
As I got older, work and responsibilities have meant that creativity has often sat on the back burner, but it is something that I’ve always appreciated.
When I’ve struggled with my mental health over the years, the thing that has always bought me back into the light has been creativity.
I always remember someone suggested I should watch comedy. So through the magic of the internet, I found some excellent comedians who have made me cry with laughter, such as Janey Godley, Luisa Omielan and Felicity Ward.
Now, I realise that creativity is something that is integral to my life and keeps me balanced. For me it’s a way to decompress from the pressures of life, it gives me a positive focus and always brings a smile to my face.
So what does creative health mean to me? Creative health is a way to keep me sane, it gives me pleasure and helps me enjoy the moment.