Hello, my name is Pritti and I am the ‘other half’ of Happea Minds!
Whilst Amrit is the brains behind the project, I have fun with the designing and creating of the ‘pick me ups’! As described earlier, the website is designed to provide information and support for all those suffering with a mental illness or to help understand those you may know that are going through a tough time.
The idea of the pick me ups came from realizing that it’s the little things in life that can give one so much pleasure and comfort when you are not feeling at your best. To receive a text message, or a card in the post that simply reminds you that someone is thinking of you can go a long way. Mental illnesses can leave people feeling very lonely, trapped and misunderstood. It is hard to converse at times, or to describe to another exactly how they are feeling. A simple message of support can really ensure a sufferer that others do care – that they are there if needed but just do not know how to help. There are many times that we learn that a dear one is going through a tough time or an illness, etc. There is not much we can do to help them, we are unable to take away their pain or change their circumstances, but that message of support or a gift that will make them smile should not be underestimated.
I started my little arts and crafts projects as a result of illness. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at the age of 24 and twenty something years on, we are still together! Like with many chronic illnesses, there are no magical solutions and no quick fixes to rid you of them. You go from elation at finally knowing what is wrong with you – to the exasperation of ‘what am I to do now?’. After fibromyalgia came a thyroid cancer diagnosis followed by general anxiety and depression. Life sometimes has that effect! To say that it has been a long journey of self-discovery and education would be an understatement – but I am so thankful to those I have met along the way who have made my life more bearable at times. I have also realised that you cannot appreciate the good times without the bad. The days the pain has been a little less terrible or the emotional stress a little less daunting has meant that I have fully appreciated those times and tried to do whatever I could – before my battery ran out!
To enable me to slow down, and to try and give my body some respite, I started colouring, doing jigsaws, playing with LEGO, quilling, and doing other arts and crafts activities which meant I felt I was really busy – but was able to switch off from ‘life’. Although the activities often led to pain and discomfort I was determined to push through and continue doing what I enjoyed. Through all those hours of suffering and worry as well as recovery and laughter, a lot of pictures were coloured and a whole number of jigsaws completed! To think that I have now been able to add my own creations on to our Etsy website has been incredible. What a wonderful achievement after feeling so rubbish and useless for so long.
Happea Minds is so important to both of us and is literally a labour of love. It is our experiences that have led us to this – and we sincerely hope that we can help and support others along their journey too.
Pritti