The Strange is Beautiful (TSIB) changes the way mental illnesses mind obstacles are seen, makes alternative self-care accessible, and creates a positive community for those struggling.
“You Can Be Broke and Self-Care” Exhibit: Recap, Photos & Resources
“You Can Be Broke and Self-Care” is a photo interview exhibit featuring 13 people in LA with mind obstacles (that’s what we call mental illnesses) practicing alternative self-care authentically in their home or space. It was created by Shannen Roberts (she/her), the queer, Peruvian-American founder of The Strange is Beautiful. Spanish translation completed by Angelica Ravelo Franco (@ange.ravelo & angemerce79@gmail.com). Our intention is to show that self-care doesn’t require spending a lot of money, or wearing expensive clothes. It is a rebellion against capitalism and societal expectations that productivity always has to be making or spending money. We held an … [Read more…]
“You Can be Broke and Self-Care” Exhibit Sept 21-26
[button href=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/you-can-be-broke-and-self-care-tickets-64449710820″ title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, x-large, jumbo” block=”true” circle=”true” icon_only=”true” info=”popover, tooltip” info_place=”top, right, bottom, left” info_trigger=”hover, click, focus” info_content=”This content will only show up if you have decided to show a popover.”]RSVP Here! [/button] About “You Can Be Broke and Self-Care” is The Strange is Beautiful’s photo and interview project featuring 13 people in LA with mind obstacles (that’s what we call mental illnesses) practicing alternative self-care in their home or space. Expect to see polaroids, digital prints, 1-4 quotes of each of the 13 people interviewed, 3-5 journal prompts for each one, … [Read more…]
Q&A with Herbalist Natali of Firme Arte, & Their Controversial Decision to Not List All Ingredients
Do herbalism products actually help anxiety or other mind obstacles? What can someone do if they’re too nervous to try any for fear of an allergic reaction? We chatted with herbalist Natali Gonzalez, and sampled their Firme Arte anti-anxiety items to find out. Natali Gonzalez (they/them and he/his) is a 31-year old “indigenous, queer, gender non-conforming two-spirited Hopi-Xican@ artist & Bruj@.” Plus, they’re a second generation RCAF (Royal Chicano Air Force) artist. While they struggle with chronic pain, trauma, anxiety, depression, and body dysphoria, they created Firme Arte to help heal others. Firme Arte is herbal items such as elixirs, … [Read more…]
Self-Harm: Creative Ways to Stop the Habit
Self-harm can become a habit that is difficult to stop. Below are two tips to help you replace it with a healthy, healing choice. Option A: Write positive affirmations on your arm. What you’ll need: Masking or art tape (the kind that comes off easily) Sharpie Instructions: 1. When you feel like doing self-harm, instead, place strips of tape on your skin where you wanted to self-harm. Make sure to not place on hair though! If you’re comfortable with writing directly on your arm, you could do that too with a soft marker, soft pen, or eyeliner that washes off easily. … [Read more…]
Self-Care
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Hundreds of articles on self-care are posted on our blog. These include yoga for mind obstacles, interviews of healers and artists, other self-care practices, book and media reviews, and #SadcoreSundays songs. Plus we offer free online yoga classes and guided meditations on IGTV.
Most recently, from September 21 to September 26, 2019, we held “You Can Be Broke and Self-Care” photo interview exhibit and events at Nous Tous Community Gallery in Los Angeles. Thirteen Los Angelenos practicing self-care for their mental illnesses mind obstacles were featured in the exhibit. Besides hundreds of community attending, Roosevelt High School visited on a field trip and engaged in deep discussions on mental health. Inside the exhibit we held events such as Self-Care Gift Exchange for Anxiety and Depression, Self-Care Open Mic, Meet-Up for Healers, Meet Your Local Healer and Self-Love Date Night.
Our workshops were offered at Therapy for Latinx’s “Enlace” (35k followers), Nylon-sponsored Mothership Fest (26k followers), South LA’s vegan festival held by SUPRMARKT (18k followers), and more.
Besides in-person events, we love to hold online ones too! In June 2018, we held an Instagram discussion with POC healers and therapists on suicide and mental health resources. Latinx millennial outlet Remezcla (millions of readers) spotlighted it, and soon after, Lavendaire podcast (20k listens) featured us.
Since 2015, we’ve tabled at L.A. and SF Zine Festivals, and were at September 2018’s SFV Zine Fest. At zine fests and online, we offer The Strange is Beautiful Alternative Self-Help Guide which includes interviews with healers, a doctor, and French musician Soko. It also comes with yoga classes for anxiety, depression and panic attacks taught by 500 hour instructor and TSIB founder, Shannen Roberts. Later in October 2018 we released “It’s not as simple as just leaving,” a zine on domestic abuse awareness including interviews and advice from survivors.
One of our favorite memories is from December 2016 when 158 people participated in our online Self-Care Gift Exchange for Anxiety & Depression across the U.S. and in Canada.
What are we doing next? Follow our Instagram @thestrangeisbeautiful to find out.
Sending you ++posi vibes++
Shannen (Shay)
Founding Editor-in-Chief
The Strange is Beautiful
The Strange is Beautiful was founded in 2014 by Shannen Roberts.