Who knew a simple task of embroidery would stir up so much internal emotion? This inanimate cloth seemed 'compartmentalised' to me - parallels with my therapeutic journey.

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I added 3 'smileys' representing the emotional ranges I'd felt since I was abused as a youngster: HAPPY, NEUTRAL, and ANGRY sections. Each compartment should have a series of words embroidered within it. I'd penned them in, ready to embroider, but with time, the wording disappeared... another parallel to my own emotional recovery.

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I'd discovered whilst 'stabbing' the material with the needle that I really disliked the physicality of this activity. Progress was slow, enabling a revisitation of past experiences. No wonder this embroidery irritated me. Therapeutically, I have taken huge steps to move forward and unburden. I am not going back to revisit those memories or complete this piece!