Digital Storytelling

The spaces I photographed are my bedroom, my dad’s office, and the kitchen at night.

My bedroom is my safe place. The four walls of my room know more about me than anyone else does. My room is where I seek refuge when everything feels like too much. My room is where my dog sleeps. My room has all of my most prized possessions. My room is where I can shut the door and play my guitar– where I can compose the saddest notes into a riff and feel at peace. My room is me. My dad’s office is where I go when I’m feeling low or when I need company. Unfortunately, I find myself spending a lot of time there nowadays. It’s in the basement, tucked away from all the rest of the noise and commotion in the house. It feels calm in there. When I’m there, I can melt into the crappy old desk chair, I can shove things in the disorganised drawers of the desk. I can hide my things, I can light my candle and read my book, and I can keep my dad company when he does his work. Since the office is separated from the main house by two doors and one whole floor, I can disappear from everyone else whenever I please. The kitchen is a common area. It’s on the first floor. My bedroom is also on the first floor. The rest of my family is upstairs. I’ve found that, after sharing a bedroom with my brother for 12 years, I like solitude. I seek solitude. In the late hours of the night, when everyone is asleep, when the house is still, when there isn’t a single noise to be made… I can immerse myself in the darkness of the kitchen. I can sit on the cold marble counter and look out the window into the trees and look at the stars in the sky. I can get a cup of tea if I so please. I can drink whatever I want, or eat whatever I want. I can find my other dog, Robbie, and I can give him peanut butter without being scolded by my parents.

All of these places are places where I can take off my mask and take a breather. These are places where I don’t have to worry about my mum asking me ‘why are you so quiet?’ These are the places where I can cry or yell or react without any consequence. These are the places where I can express myself. These are the places where I can be alone. Just how I like it.

But, lucky for me, if I ever feel like I need some company, my people are just a staircase away.