Raw

Added 1564077409 by Twinkle Nose (Hannah Aisling).

As a lot of you may or may not be aware, I suffer with really bad depression. This isn't something I keep a secret, infact I'm so upfront about it that I've even included it in my portfolio notes. Why? Because I feel it's an important fact about me that people need to know. I'm not saying it defines who I am, but it certainly does affect how I can be from time to time.

I don't have a very pleasant home life, but my partner pulled me away from all of that and created a home for me- this was the first time I had ever had a proper home! On top of this, he then brought me the cutest little hamster called Chewie (Chewbacca). We weren't allowed pets, but this thing meant the world to me- more so because he brought it for me too. He brought Chewie to help with the loneliness whilst my partner works away all summer (it sounds silly but that little thing helped me through so much!).

Earlier this year at 8 months old, he died really suddenly and it sparked a massive downward spiral for me (there is a positive note to this, the hamster is the main reason Reece and I have now got rid of our flat, moved in with friends and going travelling 😂).

This photo was taken the day after chewie died, I trusted him to see the raw emotional side of me and we created this powerful image, I cried my eyes out for 2 hours (not the only time I'd cried, my poor boyfriend went through many soggy tshirts).

I've shared this today because I think mental health is so incredibly important to talk about, anything can set off a bad spell for me and these past 2 months giving up my home to move into somebody else's house has been really tough. Always check on the strong and happy people you know and remember social media is a lie! In an industry so focused on looks, it's very easy to get wrapped up in the glitz and glam and let mental health slide downhill quickly, this message is even more crucial to not ignore. There is nothing shameful about showing emotions or crying, it's part of human nature, whatever gender you are, never accept being told to "man up", these are your emotions and very real so let it out. Take each day as it comes, be kind with your words (particularly online) & make a difference to people you meet. This world is full of too much hatred so it's a welcome relief when you meet nice people! And lastly, don't judge people from a tiny snippet of what they choose to show you, for some, simple tasks are hard so appreciate people struggle in many different ways and just because they aren't showing you that, doesn't mean it's not true💕