A Time capsule of Lines and Layers

Recently, I refreshed my aesthetics for my "ilystrations" instagram page - a modest rebrand to better reflect both current aesthetics and the more “now” version of myself. As if I had blown off the dust from that shoe box of sentimental nothings from high school, there I was scrolling through years worth of love, gifts and memories for other people, and passion projects and learning curves for myself. It took a simple change of colours to prompt the realisation that six years of life has quietly passed behind these posts.

I'm sure many can relate to this unintentional welcoming of nostalgia.

2023 was largely a write-off of a year for me. The first third was spent bed bound and in ICU, the second third in a wheelchair and hospital ward, and the final chapter in what felt like never-ending recovery. In occupational therapy they asked me what my goals were, and it took me half a breath to respond "to hold a pencil. To write. To draw." I remember the OT blinking at me, "don't you use a keyboard?". Perhaps she was expecting something more...millenial. But for me, regaining the ability to draw—before even typing—was everything. Needless to say at the ripe age of 31, I spent hours colouring in the hospitals children's books, and scoring my hand writing with failures until I started to look back at familiar handwriting and art that resembled my own.

When your joy lives in creativity, losing the ability or access to it feels like losing a piece of yourself. I wasn’t truly “me” again until I could draw and write. It wasn’t just about regaining function, it was about reclaiming my identity.

And eventually, I did. So here I am. Again.

Life changes relentlessly. I’ve shifted careers, time has ticked on, and admittedly, ilystrations took a backseat. But as I revisited the page recently, it reignited something. A quiet reminder that the creative fire is still there. Even if it's not always for show or for "sharing", it will always burn within me.

I haven’t written a novel or sold a masterpiece, so by no means do I call myself an “artist”. One day I hope I'll have the courage. But this page—ilystrations—started from a simple idea: to turn something I already loved into a little side project. A space that enabled me to draw, experiment, and stay committed and connected to the creative part of myself. What I didn’t expect was for it to become a time capsule of sorts, reflecting on 6 years of life passed by through lines, layers, posts and captions - with my experience, style and smile lines simultaneously developing too.

So if you've seen these posts throughout these many years - thank you for supporting, or even just noticing this small, personal creative pursuit.

Here’s to more pages, more pencil strokes, and more stories still to come.

@ily__strations