Through My Own Lens: Healing, Anxiety & the Silent Power of Self-Photography

 

There are times in life when words fail. When the weight of daily battles, unspoken frustrations, and invisible wounds presses so heavily that even breathing feels like work. I recently found myself in that place—a space where my mind felt clouded, my heart exhausted, and my spirit searching for a way to hold on.

In those moments of anxiety and inner turbulence, I turned to something unexpected: the camera. Not to capture the world outside, but to capture myself.

At first, it felt strange—standing alone in front of a lens. But soon, I realised that photography was not about vanity or performance. It became a form of therapy. Each shot was not just an image, but a release. The act of framing myself, of holding still, of facing my own reflection in the shadows and light, allowed me to process emotions I had buried.

This particular photograph—half in light, half in shadow—mirrors exactly how I have felt. Some days, overwhelmed by darkness; other days, reaching toward hope. But in every frame, there is honesty. No filters, no pretences. Just me, raw and honest.

Self-photography gave me control at a time when I felt powerless. In spaces where my voice was silenced, where my worth was questioned, the camera listened. It did not judge, interrupt, or diminish. It simply reflected me back to myself—reminding me that I still exist, I still matter, I still have strength.

Mental health is often a silent journey. The world sees smiles and curated versions, but it rarely sees the heaviness we carry inside. For me, photography bridged that gap. It became a gentle rebellion against the chaos within, a declaration that even in pain, I can create beauty.

This journey is not about escaping the struggles, but about facing them with courage. My photographs are not perfect, but they are mine—proof that I endured, that I continue, that healing is not linear but possible.

Through my lens, I am learning to see myself again. That is the most potent step in reclaiming peace.


#PratibhaGihar #Freedompratzz #SelfPortraitArtist #SelfPhotographer #DentistturnedintoCreator #Howtotakeyourphotos