A new passion – Watercolour Painting
Just a short few weeks ago I started painting watercolour pictures – I am very much learning but I am finding this very therapeutic, and helps to calm my anxiety.
Here are a few examples – to see more follow my Instagram account
All images ©Paul S Allen 2022
Support For Ukraine from Dunedin New Zealand
A rally was held in Dunedin New Zealand in support of Ukraine.
With Putin’s forces invading the Ukraine people are being injured and killed, this MUST stop.
Here are some photos from the rally today
First Tattoo – for remembrance ;
I had my first tattoo today
Huge thanks to @kesi.ink at Subconscious Studios. Kesi was fantastic, their care and work was so good for this newbie’s first tattoo. I love 
it so much!
;
I got this tattoo for many reasons. it is a reflection of the person I am comfortable being, the musician/guitarist/songwriter/poet/performer.
It also represents the battle I have had for mental health over the last few years especially over the last year. The semicolon represents that I am not finished and that life continues.
I dedicate this to all those who have struggled with mental health and to my friends who have passed away or are also currently battling with their mental health.
I particularly remember in this tattoo, the wonderful Dunedin NZ, musician, songwriter and wonderful human that was Nick Knox who passed away a year ago. (Arohanui Nick )
These are difficult times and so many people are struggling so please be kind to all, especially to yourself. Reach out for help, and ask your friends if they are ok really listening to them.
Peace, love and good health to you all;
Noho ora mai rā
Paul Allen – Singer songwriter
New Zealand Support Contacts
- 1737, free 24/7 phone and text number
- Healthline: 0800 611-116
- Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543-354
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828-865
- Samaritans: 0800 726-666
- General mental health inquiries: 0800 443-366
- The Depression Helpline: 0800 111-757
for NZ music industry people
Check out MusicHelps
For Dunedin people
Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust has a Crisis Café in the Hope Centre, 3 Albion Place, in Dunedin. The Hope Centre is a safe place for those in crisis during the Crisis Café hours of 1pm – late on Thursdays.
https://www.lifematters.org.nz/
New Year’s Eve – Arc Brewing co. – Dunedin, NZ
A video of images from the NYE event held in Arc Brewing in Blueskin Bay Dunedin New Zealand
on 31 12 2021 to bring in 2022
I opened the evening with a set of my own so no photos of me =)
The acts for the event
- Paul S Allen – Singer Songwriter (Me not in the video or photos)
- Tall Folk
- Flying Man
- Ollie Crooks
- Hystera
- Coin Laundry
- Bo and the Constrictors
- Glad Rabbit
Here are some of my images from the night.
Turmoil and Nothingness – A window into a troubled soul
Paul S Allen 21 July 2021
Trigger warning: This post talks about anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
How can I describe what is going on inside my brain at the moment?
(I am not going into details of what caused my mental health issues here)
I feel numb, empty and alone (lonely), at the same time my heart races, my breathing is shallow as I overthink absolutely everything, and if I can’t control it I will go into a full on anxiety attack, with full on self criticism and abuse.
I feel everything and nothing simultaneously and can fluctuate between them instantaneously.
I am both highly productive as a songwriter at the moment while having no motivation to even pick up a guitar.
I want to run, I want to hide, I want to close my eyes, hide my face, seek reassurance from others and run away from them at the same time.
I want to sleep, I am so tired, my brain is weary, but mind mind races as soon as it hits the pillow and I wake up often through the night, then early in the morning my brain starts all over again firing on all cylinders.
Now I am starting to recognise some of my anxiety triggers, but I still get caught off guard by them and other out-of-the-blue events which can leave me in a state of blinding anxiety where I can start to yell at myself with all the expletives I can muster to say how utterly worthless and foolish I am. (Please know that I know these thought are a lie but at the time they “feel” very real.)
From this I can go to a place of nothingness, not just empty or lacking in activity, but just a void or a vacuum where there is nothing to give, nothing to see. It is not just a void of positive thoughts, it is a void of any thoughts or emotion. Complete and utter emptiness.
My brain seems to switch from screaming to silence and back.
To the outside world it might seem that I smile and joke, sing and laugh, make conversation, and can even talk about anxiety and depression (as I am doing right now).
Recently I launched a new album at a gig, I had a great crowd, supported by friends and other fantastic musicians. Many lovely and supportive things were said about me and I am blessed and honoured by them. Logically I know that everything they said was good and genuine, but I feel that were talking about someone else. (Sorry friends, I do love you and really appreciate you love and support)
The positive is just not getting through, very little is getting through be it happy or sad.
What does cut deep is the negative thoughts and self-criticism, where I am my own worst enemy.
The overthinking and deep sense of loneliness, does cause problems where I tend to obsess about things or situations. I know this is not good or healthy but I am working on strategies to overcome this.
Now to the subject of the “S” word.
Suicide, have I thought of it? Yes, and that terrifies me!
Before I continue here are some things you must know…
I want to live!
I want to be well!
I recognise that I am unwell and not my usual self.
I am getting help.
If I am totally honest through my life there have been a number of times when these thoughts have been in my mind. I have fortunately never acted on them. Only recently have I opened up to others about this (including my Doctor, counsellor and close trusted friends).
I am now on medication and have a good support system including friends that are keeping an eye out for me.
So what am I doing to get through?
I reached out for help… first to a trusted friend, then to my wonderful and supportive wife, then to my Doctor then a counsellor
Yoga – I have started yoga for grounding, breathing, and getting to know my own body. Also physical fitness is good and so is meeting new people through the classes.
Friends – My friends are so dear to me and I love them so much for who they are and especially for there support through this rough patch. I have one friend in another town who has been checking in on me daily online calling himself my “Wellness Stalker”.
To my friends – THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Music – music and creativity is my life, I have gone to gigs, performed, written new songs, collaborated with others, it all has been helping.
Time – I am trying to take back control of my life through good time management, my workplace is encouraging in this regard too with a good strategy in my return to work.
Medication and counselling – I strongly recommend seeking professional help!
Focusing on me – now this is hard I feel completely selfish doing this as I am usually so other focused
Why am I sharing this?
It is because I want you to know you are not alone with your battles.
We all may battle in our own way, we will be triggered by different things, we will react and respond differently, but you are not alone.
There is support out there so please reach out.
I want you to live also!
I want you to be well.
I want you to get the support you need.
Paul Allen – Singer songwriter
New Zealand Support Contacts
- 1737, free 24/7 phone and text number
- Healthline: 0800 611-116
- Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543-354
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828-865
- Samaritans: 0800 726-666
- General mental health inquiries: 0800 443-366
- The Depression Helpline: 0800 111-757
for NZ music industry people
Check out MusicHelps
Paul S Allen - Singer Songwriter 