A Glimpse Into My Brain

For the last few years, I have been quietly filling the pages of notebooks and documents with

hundreds of thousands of words; devouring books on a range of topics with a fervour I had  not experienced since childhood and creating thousands of pieces of art for the first time since I was a teenager. 

But I kept all of it hidden away to gather dust and live in the liminal space between the act of creation and the act of sharing with open-hearted vulnerability. 

The hiding of my work reflected how I had also been keeping my true self hidden. 

This project was created with the realization that I did not want to hide away anymore.

The weight of my own inaction and the stifling of my own voice was a heavier burden 

to carry than the weight of external judgement.

By embracing my Filipino heritage, leaning into my interests and strengths, and receiving 

clarity through my Autism and ADHD diagnoses, the lifelong fog that had been clouding my 

psyche started to fade away.

I could now start to give myself grace, understanding, self-compassion, and work towards true acceptance.

I have no idea where this project will take me, but I am surrendering myself to the discomfort of not knowing the outcome and instead finding the joy in leaning into my creativity, listening to my curiosity, sharing my story and breathing a (long overdue) sigh of relief that 

I can finally be myself.

Markets & Bazaars by Isabella Medalle, Digital Painting, 2025