Pictures- space or click for next (there are two) A-wing: took me about an hour and a half, entirely freehanded (done on my desk that I moved all the junk off of not too long ago!) AT-AT: took me 2 hours, entirely freehanded I did the AT-AT 2 nights ago, and the A-Wing last night. I’m planning on doing an X-Wing tonight. In an effort to repair my sanity, I deleted my Instagram, and have devoted myself to more mundane forms of entertainment (not doomscrolling). One such form is drawing, and, as a Star Wars fan, the answer as to what to draw is rather obvious. To each and every one of you: mental health is not a joke. It is just as important, maybe even more so, as your physical health. Don’t put it to the side. In these days, it is increasingly easier to just stay cooped up in your nice cozy bed, scrolling social media all day, but in doing so, you are depriving yourself of your humanity. Humans as a species thrive from being in nature and being with others. Scrolling on our phones gives the immediate pleasure, but not the long term, real pleasure “being a real human” gives us. I’m not sure how it is in other countries, but here in America, nearly all infrastructure has been designed with mental health riiiight there at the bottom. Roads are wide and fast, with little to no foliage or ability to cross. Buildings are tall and flat. Walking paths are within earshot of a major highway. And public gathering spaces are a thing of centuries past. As much as I love cars, I hate what they have done to this once-great nation. The nearest grocery store is a 10 minute drive, the nearest park is a 3 minute drive, the nearest real walking trail (not directly alongside a roadway) is a 5 minute drive. None of these are accessible by public transportation, and one can only walk to one. In the age of normalization of ignoring mental health, it has never been more important to change our habits. Get out of your house/apartment/condo/whatever. Walk somewhere. Look at the nature. Read a book. Make some art. Write a story. There are so many things we can do, nearly all of which have been forgotten in favor of endlessly flicking our finger along the smooth screens of our magic universe box. If you feel your mental health is struggling, talk to somebody. Please, don’t be like me and wait until you’re at your lowest to ask for help. There are people who want to help you, and all you need to do is ask. You don’t need to be a senior in high school like me to struggle with mental health. I struggled in middle school, but didn’t notice that’s what it was. I struggled in previous years of high school, but ignored it. And I just started seeing a therapist, a good half decade later than I should. With all that being said, happy late holidays and new year. I wish nothing but the best 2025 to each and every one of you. Stay safe, have fun, and keep your chin up.
