I started painting again after almost 10 years because I needed to find a space to freely express myself. Painting allows me to be me and to say what I want without inhibition or need for validation. It's a stress reliever as well especially for someone like me who is in the rigid field of academics. Best of all is that it actually makes all my other work better. My proposal, which I had suffered with for months just fell into place once I started painting. My perspective of life has also widened; I noticed flowers more and my smile is bigger. I am happier.