Hamish Fleming

Artist.

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Most Challenging Moment:

Being a teenager was pretty rough. Earlier this year, I went through a period of strong agoraphobia (fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment). The only way to get out of this state is to start going out, but it’s also the hardest thing for me to do.

LEARNINGS:

Acknowledge parts of yourself that you aren’t super fond of, and try to accept them. Someone once said to me, “you need to find a halfway point between who you are now in this moment of crisis and who you wish you were. Then that’ll be a healthier version of yourself”.

Daily Self-Care:

Making sure I get enough sleep is where it all starts. As I have some form of insomnia, sleeping becomes more of a task. Very basic exercise goes a long way. Also, just checking in on yourself and being aware of how you’re feeling—and accepting that.

Message To Younger Self:

If I can tell my younger self anything, it will probably be to slow down and breathe; this is a marathon, not a sprint. Secondly, stop worrying about what everyone thinks. And also to be more open and accepting.