About photography for mindfulness.
Hello, I’m James, a photographer based in Ayrshire, Scotland. I am on a mission to help mid-life professional men to rediscover clarity, calm, and connection through mindful photography. I see mindful photography as a discreet, creative outlet that encourages self-reflection without stigma or embarrassment.
My mission is to provide a place where stress and burnout can be acknowledged. Once we can accept it is a thing it can be explored, and transformed into personal insight.
By opening the conversation around mental well-being through art and presence, we can to shift the perspective; strength includes self-awareness.
Who are you to tell me about stress?
I spent the bulk of my working life as a police officer, twenty five years in total. It was all going fine until I found myself in a situation that I could not control or escape from. I was determined not to let it get the better of me. I was sure I could manage and find a way to solve the riddle. The pressure grew until it nearly crushed me. I found that I was barely in control of my body or emotions, the shame and guilt compounded the problem.
Fortunately I had good people around me that helped me get a grip.
I have always been passionate about photography and that literally became the light at the end of the tunnel. I realised that taking pictures was one of the most mindful activities around. It encompassed so many of the therapeutic principles and “protective factors” that professional help and counselling had highlighted.
Here then is a way to covertly manage symptoms, recover and promote well-being without appearing weird.
Why do we need a discreet way to manage our mental health?
I’m no longer ashamed to admit that I needed help, but that took a long time.
Culturally we are expected to be the protector, the provider, the strength in the family and society. We naturally look to the past for role models. Not so long ago men were being shot for weakness and lack of moral fibre. Our grandparents and parents fought in hot wars and the Cold War was ever present.
Hard things were expected of men and those expectations are deeply ingrained. It seemed like they were all fine and just got on with it despite everything. I am certain many of us hold ourselves to those same standards. Except we know now that they were not fine, we just did not see it. Many of the helpful strategies they had are no longer available or perhaps, just less acceptable.
Even as the tide turns we see younger generations who are apparently offended by everything. The cry of mental health seems like a first excuse for not doing something they don’t want to. That’s not us! Right?
It is embarrassing and emasculating to admit that we need help, it is not your fault. Unfortunately it remains our responsibility. You are not alone.
Is this a career stopper?
There is a wide ranging perception that admitting to having a problem can harm your future. It often goes further than perception too. If you have a mental health record on file then there are doors that will close on you. Anything linked to public safety can suddenly be out of bounds and take a long time to get back. It can have an effect even if you are self employed, especially if you are a solopreneur. If you stop, everything stops.
While there is undoubtedly less stigma now than there was even ten years ago, it can still be an obstacle. So all the more reason to take better care and some preventive steps. I can tell you for certain that actually having a meltdown is a bit of a giveaway to HR. It takes any capacity for decision making right out of your hands.
It did have an effect on my prospects although in some ways it helped as well. I still don’t recommend it. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure for sure.
Some Statistics, if you like that sort of thing.
A survey by YouGov revealed 34% of adults in the UK said they often experience high levels of stress. The Mental Health Foundation discovered that only 36% of NHS referrals for talking therapies were for men. The Priory Clinic, among others found that 40% of men have never spoken to anyone about their mental health. That probably is us, right?
Why?
Embarrassment aside;
- We don’t want to be a burden.
- We have learned to deal with it.
- There is a negative stigma around all this.
- We can find our own way.
Sometimes that way is at too high a cost for all concerned. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under fifty. Furthermore men account for three quarters of all suicides. Having been too close to that kind of thinking for comfort I can tell you that the risks are real.
Let’s not become another statistic! Instead we can do something together that helps us see the best in the world, in other people and in ourselves.
Taking pictures in a mindful way does just that.
Photography works for me so I’m certain you can find the benefit as well. Doing something constructive by yourself, for yourself does not mean you are on your own. It has positive side effects on your family, friends, business and community too. Check out these ideas for free or download a free first aid kit.
Keep in touch for more without obligation to do anything or run the risk of being spammed. I’m way too disorganised for that!
Stay awesome…
Maybe a wee video introduction is more your style? In the interests of playfulness and all being in this together, here is a YouTube intro I made a while ago.