From Crisis to Clarity: Creativity, Recovery and Self-acceptance
When his dream job as picture editor of The Times turned into a living nightmare, Paul Sanders turned to photography to help him heal and find a way back to himself.
In this episode Paul urges us to forget about being famous, praise our peers and fully accept that we are enough. (He also explains why leaving a job with a six-figure salary was one of the best decisions he ever made.)
Content warning: This episode includes discussion of a mental health crisis, which some listeners may find distressing.
‘You've got to believe that you're enough, because you are. Each of us plays a really important part on the planet. Everybody says, “what's my purpose? Why am I here?” Well, we're all here because we all fit in together.’ – Paul Sanders
For Episode 18 of We Need to Make Things I chat with Paul Sanders @discover_still about the moment he realised his dream job at The Times had turned into a living nightmare, and how he used photography to heal himself.
Paul has been involved in photography for more than 35 years, first as a black & white printer, then as a fashion photographer. An opening at a local newspaper led to jobs at the Manchester Evening News and Reuters before accepting the role of picture editor at The Times. After leaving the paper in 2011, Paul began exploring a more mindful approach to photography, creating images that reflect a sense of stillness and calm. His latest book, Still, is available now (and it’s selling fast!)
This episode is full of Paul’s wisdom including:
👉 The value of letting go, and why he never backs anything up
👉 How forgetting about external validation can benefit our work
👉 What making a photograph has got to do with the art of flirting
👉 Why understanding you are enough is key to healing and growth
Enjoy!
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