Ashley: Home, reconnection, and growth

Sisters cat by Ashley [photograph]

Cats have been a source of comfort in both my experiences [of homelessness due to family and domestic violence]. I think they’re part of the reason I was able to continue through my experiences. Even though I don’t live with my current cat, I visit her often and did so when I was homeless too. I think there is a sense ofhome and comfort a pet provides. If I could have, I wish that I was able to access accommodation with my cat, but when I was homeless the second time, no crisis accommodation would help us [my sibling and I]. We often can’t even take out pets with us when we escape anyway and often have poorer mental health because of it.

Walking re-centring by Ashley [photograph]

This is more about after my experiences. I was in extreme stress and my mental health was really declining during my second experience [of homelessness due to family and domestic violence]. As things have become a bit more stable, I’ve started going for walks and hikes to reconnect with myself and nature to help improve my wellbeing and look after myself better. I was so tired, so lost and exhausted from caring for my sibling [as a full time carer] on top of the pressure to find housing and go to work and get additional help for my sibling and myself. This has partly been about taking my life and control back and prioritising myself.

New leaf by Ashley [photograph]

I bought this plant for $25 at a plant store. I have a lot of plants, but most live with my sister and often don’t do well. I’ve kept plants consistently though my experiences, but I was particuarly proud of this one because it popped out a new leaf. It’s thriving despite the environment I live in and I think there’s a sense of achievement in its growth, especially after everything that’s happened.