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january + february diary / introducing this newsletter / on social media burnout / a new daily-ish art practice / recent work / podcast inspiration
Hello hello! I’m nervous and excited to try this experiment out. I’ve written newsletters before but never got around to doing one just about me.
So why and what for? Last year, I found myself lacking the motivation or energy to keep up with social media; not long before, I’d decided to stop using Instagram and the relief and mental space and TIME that has come with that has been beautiful. So then it was just Twitter for me, and even with all the negatives, I still found it okay to use. But, over the year, I slowly disconnected from it and ended up deleting it completely over the winter break. It took me a while to come back, and I wasn’t excited about it at all.
However, I missed the community part of it. And I desperately miss being able to keep up with what friends and peers near and far are up to. But if Twitter burnout is a thing, I have it. And I – along with may others, I know – are desperately seeking a more grounded alternative.
So it comes to this; I’m trying out the newsletter format but I’m not entirely sure how it’s going to go.
Here, I want to to share everything from life and career updates, sharing my commissioned photography and writing work, as well as random rambles and thoughts, the everyday photographs that make up my visual journal (I realised that I’ve been using Twitter, and Instagram back in the day, as a sort of journaling via photography), and interesting things I’ve come across – all while hopefully connecting with you and engaging in a way that’s more grounded and personal.
Fingers crossed!
Until next time,
A x
P.S I’d love to hear from you if you’re feeling the same. And if you have a newsletter like this, please do share it in the comments below!
Visual journal
Click to see full images!
Daily-ish art practice
I was inspired to start painting again at the end of last year. It’s been a challenge to get going, even though all I’ve wanted to do for a long time is get back into it and start working on something more craft-based. In January, I decided to try and do a daily-ish art practice. Daily-ish, because painting takes up so much bloody time. I also gave myself some slack and opened it up to other art types; hence me discovering how much I enjoy oil pastels! I’ve since reorganised my office to fill up two drawers of my old art supplies… I think my oil pastels are literally, genuinely from school – about 15-16 years ago!
Here’s one of my favourite pieces so far, copied from a photograph I made of a local green space (from an upcoming project TBA).
Work work
Writing
Here are some of my favourite newsletters I’ve written for Where the Leaves Fall recently:
On the importance of play as adults
On rerooting
On us all having the capability to be creative
Photography
I was commissioned in January to make portraits at the amazing London Library (it’s like Hogwarts inside!) for their quarterly magazine. I can’t share the final images yet, but here’s a teaser of the location!
Got a greenhouse?
Bookmarks
28ish Days Later: “What do you really know about the menstrual cycle? India Rakusen explores the whole bloody story, discovering facts that could change your life. Periods are just the beginning”. I’m still mulling over this incredible podcast which blew my mind with totally new-to-me information in every single episode. Crucial listening if you have periods.
I’ve been enjoying these short poetry readings and explorations–read and analysed by Pádraig Ó Tuama for On Being’s Poetry Unbound–during my wind down to sleep.
Usually queued up right after a Poetry Unbound reading, I’ve been using Purely Being’s guided meditations to send me off to sleep (with varying success of course). Here’s one of my favourites.
Tipping jar
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A bit about me
Hey! I’m Ameena – a writer and photographer based in London. I love to tell stories about adventure, the outdoors, and our relationship with the natural world.
Ah, Poetry Unbound is so good, isn't it. Love seeing your photographs again and learning you are getting photographic commissions again too. Congrats!