Joy is Slow Sometimes, But It’s Always Worth the Wait is one of five paintings in the Thought Patterns collection, a series of mirrored butterfly works in watercolor exploring the mental process of healing: examining the thoughts that compose a depression spiral, and reframing them with compassion.

Please Note: There are words in the borders of these paintings that are meant to evoke through a first person narrative the experience of struggling with depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation. The thought patterns in these pieces are pulled from journal entries of genuine depressive episodes. There are words of hope as well, but please be aware of the darker mood and content.

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“What is the point of all this. Things will never get easier.

Why is life so heavy. Living is nothing but exhaustion.

I have nothing worth saying, just an overwhelming mass of things I can’t stop feeling.

Being alive is not worth all of this pain.

How does anyone live with themselves.”

“Change is inevitable. It cannot be like this forever.

There will be rest. I will feel joy again.

Joy is slow sometimes, but it is always worth the wait.

Just because you can’t see the good now, doesn’t mean that it’s not here, quietly at work.

Pain fades, goodness never does.”

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DETAILS

8 × 10 inches

Natural handmade watercolor on cotton paper

Signed and dated on the back