Mental health will always tie with neurodiverse individuals dues to the diverse lifestyles that contradict the neurotypical minds. There's historical evidence of society treating people with behaviors deemed not normal or 'civil', and mistreatment occurs even in modern time. At times, it feels hopeless, whether your behaviors are external that are labeled 'unusual' or you internalize negative association with your habits that don't align with the majority. There has been so many mutual's who share the frustrations of performing against themselves because we have been told it's the only way of succeeding, but that's wrong. No one way will work for everyone. Since the beginning of time, we become distinctly ourselves when we get the choice to freely express our selves, not confined ourselves for the approval of others. Currently, I'm studying to become an Art Therapist because I want to provide the experience for individuals with troubles expressing themselves or describing emotions using art in a therapeutic treatment to help build strong identity and emotion vocab. I'm motivated to pursue this work because of my experience of being an emotionally-repressed neurominority, and to reach out to people who experience hardships from roots of shame or guilt of uncontrollable factors of their selves. I want to encourage the repressed authentic aspects to build positive associations of being themselves. Currently, I use my position as a residential advisor at my college dorm to connect with other college students to provide a safe space for diverse minded people and an opportunity to hear others personal stories or experiences. I want to continue to put myself out there to connect with people and listening to their experiences. As I continue my journey with my mental health, I seek to enlighten myself on how to sustain a lifestyle that is true to my morals and values. When others have come to me seeking advice of coping with mental turmoil, I'm able to provide resources I've used in the past, such as using a Dialectical Behavior Therapy workbooks to ground myself or rationalize. I have impact my family with encourage open communication to vocalize one's needs and setting boundaries. My father mention struggling with recognizing the emotions he feels, and I was able to provide an emotional wheel I was given from my therapist to help identify emotions. I want to encourage others to live, not solely survive.

I chose an artistic approach to helping with climate change which is by only using recycled and scraps of materials. Therefore this approach reduces waste, pollution, as well as greenhouse emission it would’ve created. My goal is to use only scraps and recycled matter to challenge myself artistically and to help out Earth in positive outlets. An example of this action is creating a 3D creature out of scraped fabrics people cut up from classrooms. I stuffed the animal with scrap fabric, instead of use stuffing that’s toxic to the environment, and embellished the creature with scrapped jewelry pieces. Together it creates an appealing appearance with a good feeling of helping the earth in a creative matter

I have learned that my opinion of myself is basis. I struggled with self esteem and self love, therefore I had a basis opinion of who I am. I saw the negative aspects of me and the exaggeration I created about myself. I realized I need to listen to the outside perspective of me from others and see the true reflection of who I am. I can now learn to love who I really was and appreciate these characteristic that were covered by my basis lies.

Coming from a poor family, I was advised to save. I was taught to use coupons and look for deals. I was taught second hand objects are okay to buy. I was taught the concept of hand me downs. I was taught many things that I thought was normal, that everyone did. Coming from a poor family helped me learn about saving with simply adjustments. Instead of looking back and thinking how poor I was, I think about the found memories of crockpot meals I would come home from school instead of meal from fast food. I look fondly at Sunday big breakfast we made in early morning. I learned about saving, but I also learned that money doesn’t necessarily bring happiness. What brings happiness is people, especially those who care about you.

I plan on going to Murray State University for a bachelor in graphic design and a minor in fine arts. I’m hoping this can allow me to become a visual designer or graphic designer, and then eventually an Art Director. I’m hoping my art can impact companies with good cause that I personally support, such as, recycling. I create products of recycled materials and sell it so it can can be repurposed. Therefore, I would like to use my art to support companies and to be an entrepreneur with organic or recycled products.

I apply creativity in every aspect of my life. I’m constantly surrounding myself with creating innovative ideas and creative art. I only thrive in creative environments, therefore I’m constantly challenging myself to create creative ways to adapt to my environment. I create appealing content for my schoolwork, I think of new creative ways to keep my team at work organized, and I use my creative idea to come up with products to sell. I love the feeling of constantly being inspired by my creativity and how envelop I get in these projects. To turn my creative dreams into a reality would simply be the best thing for me, an artist.