When I was in school, I was the kid all the teachers described as “bright, has potential, but doesn’t apply herself.” They looked at me in disbelief– they knew I was capable, but I chose to rebel, to fight, to resist, to choose NOT to do the work. I thought I had moved beyond thisContinue reading “Another year, another journey”
Tag Archives: inspiration
Recover
It’s very easy and sometimes preferred to pretend that we’re brave and fearless, especially in an instagrammable world that values perfect squares of perfect lives. There are no squares big enough to encompass this experience, this pain, this journey, this fear. I had the messy job of confronting my fear. Confront, not conquer. I had to show up *while* being afraid.
Forest Dreams: New Music Video!
Here’s a magical look at my mandala-making process, and some of the locales and landscapes that have inspired my work thus far. The original track, “Forest Dreams” was produced by me (Sheniz Janmohamed) as well. Enjoy!
Return to Spring
Ah, March. This strange month of snowstorms and snowdrops. Days that look deceivingly warm. Promises of spring. In winter, I tend to close myself off and shut off from the world. I turn inward, and find comfort in little joys- whether it’s a cup of tea or a pair of warm socks. This winter hasContinue reading “Return to Spring”
Dreaming in January
January. A frigid winter evening, where the only respite is a glimmer of sunlight clinging to the horizon. A time to reflect, plan and reconnect. In some ways it feels exactly the same as it did a few days ago– when it was 2017. The wind is still bitterly cold, the ground is still heapedContinue reading “Dreaming in January”
Standing on Ice
If there’s one thing October taught me, it’s that I may feel lonely, but I’m never alone. From wandering through unfamiliar woods in Lynn Canyon to hiking on a bed of litterfall in Algonquin Park, nature has reminded me that I am not that important, and I am not unimportant either. I am part ofContinue reading “Standing on Ice”
Embracing the Fall
The summer, while full of little joys, was also challenging. In my August blog post, I reflected upon the idea of the “instagrammable” summer, versus the real experience of summer– which can often feel like we were failing at sucking out every sunshiny drop of the season. While this summer had wonderful highs , myContinue reading “Embracing the Fall”
Goodbye, FOMO
The general malaise of summer. Yes, malaise. There is a cloud hanging over the golden light of summer, a cloud heavy with expectation and inadequacy. How is it possible, one might say, to experience malaise in the summer? The expectation of having an action-packed, bbq-filled, skirt-flouncing summer, where everything is easy and full of joy,Continue reading “Goodbye, FOMO”
Questions for Ancestors
At the end of every school year, there is a twinge of bittersweet joy that rises up in my heart. Through my work as an artist-educator, I have the privilege and honour to witness students explore the creative process and share their artistic projects and ideas. This year, I encouraged students to exploreContinue reading “Questions for Ancestors”
Laying the Groundwork
Sometimes it’s necessary to step away. Far away. Away from the eyes of social media and the need to engage with people on a constant, consistent basis. Away from the need to be validated for every post, every photo, every moment of a life. For the last two months, I have chosen to be inconsistent.Continue reading “Laying the Groundwork”
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