Soft Silence

Photo by contributor Tip Crawford, a 56-year-old from Northern West Virginia who was recently diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, Avoidant Personality Disorder and Generalized Anxiety. While her diagnoses are relatively new, Tip has been dealing with these challenges throughout her entire adult life, and they have been especially strong over the past 20 years. Tip is in therapy with an emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and takes an antidepressant. She also helps manage her mental illness by regularly exercises (weight lifting, cardio, toning and yoga), keeping a diary, taking pictures, reading, meditating, practicing deep breathing, listening to lectures, talking to a very few trusted people, and walking with her beloved dog, Samwise…. Though some days it is hard to do anything except walk with Samwise. Those times, she thinks of as ‘dark curtain days’.

About this photo: “This is a photo of ornamental Pampas Grass, taken in autumn. The title came to mind as soon as I had the image in the viewfinder. Silence can be harsh, lonely and unwanted. But it can also be soothing, comforting, tranquil and soft.”

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