other Share a time your passion helped you through a tough moment

[lens]

I keep the painful experience of losing my father. I felt devastating while I seemed to be completely alone. Music provided comfort to me. Music served as my retreat because I have deep love for songs. I like to write songs lyrics and sing along.

Through music, I learned to manage my emotions and it made me overcome my grief. I now appreciate how music acted as my saving grace during that hard period.

 

[Reelz]

When life presented a challenging period to me, painting became the tool that kept me going. When I'm in such situations, I resort to painting immersive and it has enabled me to communicate my emotions. Most people use therapy but my painting worked similarly for me as therapeutic treatment.

 

[Unvarnished]

Writing proved to be the activity I relied on for managing my anxiety. Writing has always been my favorite activity. It turned into my essential defense when I experienced a challenging phase. This activity enabled me to manage my emotions and achieve mental clarity.

 

[Shawn]

Sure

Before 2012, I was 350 pounds. I smoked a few packs of cigarettes a day. I had horrible teeth and gum disease and was in agonizing pain every day to the point where I popped pills and got drunk every night to make the pain go away. I became such a drunk that I would pee the bed.

I considered self-terminating a few times. I told no one. I hid everything.

The pain in my teeth was so bad I finally broke down and went to the DR. At first, we though I had cancer. I took a few doses of chemo but then it was determined to just be the worst gum disease you can get. See, I never was forced to brush my teeth as a kid so I never made it into a habit. I fried my teeth because of it.

So, the fix was an upper denture and extensive cleaning to try to save the bottom. I quit getting drunk after that. It was about 2012 at that point.

Once my teeth were repaired, I didn't feel pain anymore.

I wanted to lose weight. I was deeply depressed. I was alone. I needed something positive in my life.

So, I bought a bicycle for some fitness. I rode it and absolutely fell in love with it. I rode every day, 30 to 100 miles a day. I lost 150 pounds in less than 6 months.

I also found hiking this way. I fell in love with that as well.

I don't drink anymore. I don't smoke anymore. I'm at a healthy weight. My teeth are great (saved my bottoms, denture feels like my own) and I met and married my wife through hiking.

My hiking and biking stuff saved my life.

I wouldn't had even made it to COVID if I still lived that lifestyle.

That's my story.