Shades of Darkness & Light
Shades of Darkness & Light
Life was once a battlefield for Williamstown local, Bev Aisbett as each day she was paralysed by fear. “I suffered my first panic attack 22 years ago (my first book, Living with IT had just celebrated its 20th year in print) and I had just taken the plunge into becoming a freelance illustrator after years of the security of paid employment. This was in the recession we had to have, according to Paul Keating, so it was a gamble and every second bugger was happy to remind me of that. Even though I had a good client base (including The Sunday Age and The Herald), my fears and self-doubt kicked in big time,” she said.
In 1993, after recovery from severe anxiety and depression, Bev turned her life around and has written a number of ground breaking illustrated self-help books. With over 500,000 copies of each title sold to date, the books have proven to be the chosen reference by sufferers, doctors, psychologists and health workers. She is also an experienced counsellor running “The Art of Anxiety” workshop and as a skilled artist, her works have appeared in The Age, The Bulletin, Woman’s Day, New Weekly, New Woman, MacMillan Education, Penguin and HarperCollins.
How did you change your life around and how are you doing today?
“I don’t necessarily see my depression as a bad thing. I see it more as a sort of hibernation, a retreat while I licked my wounds and regained strength. I came to realise a few things too – the world went on quite nicely without me having to single-handedly hold it up and I also learned that feeling sorry for yourself doesn’t change a thing, really.”
You’re a talented artist, cartoonist, illustrator and counsellor. Which job do you love the most?
“I absolutely love the feeling that comes with helping to empower someone to step into their strength and take back the reins of their life where previously they felt like a victim to their anxiety. I’m never more sure, confident or clear than I am when I’m running my workshops. I just go where it feels right to go with great results. Painting is very much a contemplative, meditative thing where I can happily lose myself for hours. Then there’s that wonderful ‘ahhh’ moment when you just know the painting is finished. People seem to engage strongly with my paintings on an emotional level, so there’s that connection to something bigger coming through too. I love doing my illustrated books too but deadlines can be, well a bit deadly.”
Tell me more about how you feel when you paint?
“I came out of it on several occasions using my art. I started painting to soothe myself in one instance and in another, used a sketchbook when I couldn’t sleep to vent my emotions. On the latter occasion I ended up doing 96 sketches in 2 weeks! Very therapeutic and it led to me becoming a serious painter. I used all that I’d learned above plus ongoing study into personal development, psychology and philosophy. I also think having a spiritual practice and context is crucial to recovery, so I meditate daily and visit an ashram which has given me a wonderful perspective. I see life very differently now, it’s really just a game which tests your strengths and highlights the weak spots that need your attention. I now see challenges less as personal affronts and more like ‘Okay, what’s this calling me to work on now? How am I today? Never better but a work in progress as I will be till the day I leave this planet for the next adventure.”
What message or words of advice would you like to send out to people suffering from depression or anxiety?
“That you can get better but starting right now you need to be willing to make recovery your focus and shift your attention from the problem. Put it this way – you know you don’t like it, so what more needs to be said? The next step is to start heading in the direction of where you’d rather be and to learn the skills you need to learn to achieve that. Then keep going, one day at a time, never looking back. You’ll get there. You’ll find that you not only handle anxiety and depression better but many other aspects of life as well. It’s a big journey but incredibly valuable.”
Describe your personality in five words?
“Passionate, courageous, creative, cheeky and a right royal pain the butt at times (just like everyone else.)”
What is the number 1 life lesson you have learnt?
“That I have taken it and myself way too seriously.”
Do you have any spare time and if so what do you like to do?
“Spare time? Hang on…I think I had some of that once.”
To find out about Bev’s workshops. Click here:
www.bevaisbettartofanxiety.com/art-of-anxiety-workshops.html
