Since the moment I was able to hold a pencil, I have loved making art. Every day, I would let my imagination run wild across page after page in my sketchbooks. I drew so much, that I would get in trouble at school for drawing, rather than doing my work. When I entered middle school, I chose to major in visual arts, since my school allowed students to choose majors. Ever since then, I have continued to learn and grow in my artistry and continue to find myself in my art. Aside from visual art, I also developed a deep love for music. From the moment I first heard a cello being played, I was hooked on the rich, almost human-like tone. I picked up a cello for the first time at age twelve. I then joined my school's orchestra, as well as an extracurricular music program. From there, my progress skyrocketed. I began to learn more and more, faster and faster, all the while growing to love music all the more. With art and music, I'm able to lose myself in my creativity. I feel every pencil stroke, every note played, throughout my body and in my very soul. These two passions of mine have been a comfort to me for many years, helping me through tough times and soothing my mind and aching heart. I would be a complete liar if I said my mental health was in good standing. The past year, I have struggled the most I ever had. Life continued to throw problem after problem at me, and each time I thought things were getting better, another thing would go wrong without fail. I would regularly fall into periods of not caring for myself. I would skip meals or have no appetite, forget to drink enough water, and allow my room to fall into severe disarray. However, I have been making attempts to combat these low points. I took note of how art and music made me feel and worked out ways to incorporate them into my self-care routines, be it creative makeup looks or listening to Elgar's Cello Concerto as I cleaned and did chores. By incorporating things I loved and was passionate about into those necessary routines, I was able to make it easier and more enjoyable to care for myself, which in turn helped me out of those depressive periods significantly faster compared to when I didn't incorporate them. When those methods don't help in certain situations (such as anxiety or panic attacks), I have breathing and counting exercises to use as well. I think it is extremely important to have different coping mechanisms to remain equipped for all potential situations, be it to help yourself or assist others around you who may be struggling as well. All in all, I strongly believe that healthy coping mechanisms are extremely important for all people, regardless of whether they struggle with their mental health or not, and that including or incorporating one's passions in said coping mechanisms can be a significant help.