You may be wondering … how difficult can it be to talk and describe yourself to the rest of the world through a painting? I was asked on a self-awareness course at my University, to think and express on a page, what it means to be compassionate towards myself and then to draw the outcome: draw an image of myself. Reading out the task we were given, I silently laughed and said out loud: “That’s easy!”. I then, sat down to start off the project. That is when I realised the degree of difficulty. It took me three fully dedicated hours to complete it!

On the day of the deadline, I was willing to present myself and my creation in front of all the class. It happened almost by mistake, as I felt my hand lifting in mid air, an instant decision. In seconds, I found myself standing upright in front of my fellow students and my teacher and to proceed to present myself and my painting!

Suddenly, scary “logical” thoughts flooded my head! “I will be laughed at. What if they start mocking me, what if I lose their attention, from me being so nervous?”. It was already too late. I was already standing up and I heard myself say: “My name is Evangelia, and that’s me here … I’m not a great painter, but I tried, and I took time to draw myself and who I am. The truth is that for us people, it’s easier to observe the rest of the world, and not so easy to observe ourselves. Through this task, I realised that we should give ourselves more time to be on our own, to think, to laugh, and even to cry, as WE are the ones who know ourselves best. We need to be kind with ourselves”. “Believe in yourself” I told them, “and disregard the people who will judge you, as you know yourself better than others. Do something kind for yourself, just as you do for the rest! Love yourself. Accept yourself, with its flaws and its talents, because all of these together, make “YOU” “.

By the end, I had become deeply overwhelmed by emotion, while my fellow students were looking at me in silence. My fears of mockery did not come true! Their applause was a great gift to me. Not because I felt special or clever, but because I felt that I had brought others to the place to care and take an interest in themselves, in the same way I had done.

Thank you for hearing me out,
Evangelia

Evangelia Fragiadoulaki, (21 years old). I study at the Department of Accounting and Finance at TEI of Crete, University of Applied Sciences of Crete. I am joyful, patient, dynamic and sensitive. I like to see people smile and dream about their lives, just as I do. I love the sea because it gives me peace of mind, I like listening to music and traveling. The message I would like to give to those who read my article today, is: “Believe in yourself, live every moment with your family and the people you love, spend time with people who make you the best of yourself. Be grateful and forgive! “

P.S. And know that the beautiful people are the ones that have beautiful souls and thoughts …

Email : Vaggelio3@gmail.com

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