Take the Leap: Embrace a New Beginning
BRYCE Watanasoponwong
Experimenter, photographer and visual storyteller
based in Thailand and Australia
Breakups can be tough, both mentally and physically. It can be hard to move on after a failed relationship has ended. That's why I think it can be helpful to have something that acts as a reminder of the bright future ahead, no matter how much the past hurts.
The idea all began with an inquiry from a customer who wanted a piece of art to help them change their lives after a breakup. My experience has taught me that sharing support with those in similar situations can be profoundly beneficial, so I am passing on this information.
The idea all began with an inquiry from a customer who wanted a piece of art to help them change their lives after a breakup. My experience has taught me that sharing support with those in similar situations can be profoundly beneficial, so I am passing on this information.
The Toll a Breakup Takes
Photo: Struggling, Kolkata India, 2018, BRYCE Watanasoponwong
Breakups are often incredibly difficult, no matter what the circumstances. Even if it is mutual, or you initiated it yourself, it can still bring up intense emotions such as worthlessness, fear, humiliation, guilt, and being overwhelmed. It is normal to feel these feelings when someone you have built your emotional life around suddenly leaves your life.
Dealing with our pain and emotions can be incredibly hard. We might carry them with us for a long time, causing insecurity and doubt in our future relationships. But it's important to realise that these feelings are normal, and almost everybody has gone through them at some point in their lives.
Though challenging times like this can be difficult to endure, it is essential to remember that we have gone through similar situations before. And so, instead of succumbing to despair, we have the chance to use this experience to better understand ourselves and those around us.
Well, I think it is. At least, that’s been my experience.
Dealing with our pain and emotions can be incredibly hard. We might carry them with us for a long time, causing insecurity and doubt in our future relationships. But it's important to realise that these feelings are normal, and almost everybody has gone through them at some point in their lives.
Though challenging times like this can be difficult to endure, it is essential to remember that we have gone through similar situations before. And so, instead of succumbing to despair, we have the chance to use this experience to better understand ourselves and those around us.
Well, I think it is. At least, that’s been my experience.
Heartache to Growth: My Story
Photo: Worry, Pain, Varanasi India, 2017, BRYCE Watanasoponwong.
When I was young and naive, I thought I could take on the entire world. This wasn’t even about being courageous — I was just that optimistic. I thought that if I tried hard enough, everything would fall into place.
That gave me a great sense of adventure, so I left my home country of Thailand behind to live and work in Australia. I spent two decades there, building a life that I enjoyed. I had a comfortable 9-5 job, an active social circle, and a long-term relationship that brought me security and joy.
Life was complete. Or, at least, that’s how I felt at the time.
The first domino to fall was my job. I didn’t have much control over that one — the 2008 global financial crisis wound up getting me laid off. And shortly after that, my nearly 10-year relationship ended.
That one really hurt. At this point, there was pain coming in from all sides. I was angry, hurt, and ashamed. I felt like an enormous failure.
But as painful as that all was, it was necessary to jumpstart an enormous transformation that my life was about to take — one that made my life infinitely more rewarding and meaningful.
If those things hadn’t happened, I might have never returned to Thailand, discovered my passion for creating art, and started on a journey of creation. When I was newly single and unemployed, it didn’t feel like a good thing. But the years have proven that these were critical in making me happier than I ever thought possible.
The key is to embrace vulnerability — even when it's hard..
That gave me a great sense of adventure, so I left my home country of Thailand behind to live and work in Australia. I spent two decades there, building a life that I enjoyed. I had a comfortable 9-5 job, an active social circle, and a long-term relationship that brought me security and joy.
Life was complete. Or, at least, that’s how I felt at the time.
The first domino to fall was my job. I didn’t have much control over that one — the 2008 global financial crisis wound up getting me laid off. And shortly after that, my nearly 10-year relationship ended.
That one really hurt. At this point, there was pain coming in from all sides. I was angry, hurt, and ashamed. I felt like an enormous failure.
But as painful as that all was, it was necessary to jumpstart an enormous transformation that my life was about to take — one that made my life infinitely more rewarding and meaningful.
If those things hadn’t happened, I might have never returned to Thailand, discovered my passion for creating art, and started on a journey of creation. When I was newly single and unemployed, it didn’t feel like a good thing. But the years have proven that these were critical in making me happier than I ever thought possible.
The key is to embrace vulnerability — even when it's hard..
Circle Journey
Photo: Circle Journey, the latest piece that serves as a metaphor for healing and inner peace, Bangkok Thailand, 2023, BRYCE Watanasoponwong.
So what has me thinking about breakups?
I recently received a request to buy my artwork as part of an apartment renovation. In my discussions with the customer, I found that the entire project was meant to freshen up a home after an unexpected breakup.
They wanted the artwork to promote abundance, growth, and prosperity. And a major part of this should be the colour green, because in Chinese astrology, green is the symbol for wealth, good health, and balance. Green also has many other positive connotations: harmony, freshness, abundance, etc.
Learning all this, I proposed a new piece that would incorporate the story of the customer — a fully bespoke work of art that would help transform their living space.
To complete it, I did a lot of reflecting on my own experience with the end of relationships. The result is Circle Journey — a visual metaphor that encapsulates the journeys we take to heal and reconnect with the world around us. The leaves that drink up sunlight show us how our environment constantly feeds us, something we need along our sometimes painful journey.
It is another example of my #CameraAsBrush, made with film-soup and multiple exposures. It was also affixed to an ILFORD GALERIE aluminium frame. This will ensure its protection for years to come.
I recently received a request to buy my artwork as part of an apartment renovation. In my discussions with the customer, I found that the entire project was meant to freshen up a home after an unexpected breakup.
They wanted the artwork to promote abundance, growth, and prosperity. And a major part of this should be the colour green, because in Chinese astrology, green is the symbol for wealth, good health, and balance. Green also has many other positive connotations: harmony, freshness, abundance, etc.
Learning all this, I proposed a new piece that would incorporate the story of the customer — a fully bespoke work of art that would help transform their living space.
To complete it, I did a lot of reflecting on my own experience with the end of relationships. The result is Circle Journey — a visual metaphor that encapsulates the journeys we take to heal and reconnect with the world around us. The leaves that drink up sunlight show us how our environment constantly feeds us, something we need along our sometimes painful journey.
It is another example of my #CameraAsBrush, made with film-soup and multiple exposures. It was also affixed to an ILFORD GALERIE aluminium frame. This will ensure its protection for years to come.
Final Thoughts
Photo: The Shadow Within, Bangkok Thailand, 2017, BRYCE Watanasoponwong.
When a relationship ends, you can expect difficult times ahead.
But you must remember that the grief you feel is normal, and the loss you’ve experienced might be clearing the way for growth that you could never imagine right now.
As long as you are willing to step into the vulnerability and allow yourself to grow — rather than shut yourself off from the world — a breakup can jumpstart positive change.
Wherever you are on your journey right now, I wish you all the best.
But you must remember that the grief you feel is normal, and the loss you’ve experienced might be clearing the way for growth that you could never imagine right now.
As long as you are willing to step into the vulnerability and allow yourself to grow — rather than shut yourself off from the world — a breakup can jumpstart positive change.
Wherever you are on your journey right now, I wish you all the best.
 | About MeExperimenter, photographer and visual storyteller based in BangkokBRYCE Watanasoponwong is an experimenter, photographer and visual storyteller. He is interested in producing a narrative series that evokes emotion and makes a personal impact. Becoming more involved in how photography is... read on |
Disclaimer, or, Use At Your Own Risk All information and data on this blog post is only intended for an information purpose. I make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, suitability, validity or any information. It is essential to do your analysis before making any investment based on your own personal circumstances. Any action you take upon the information on this blog post is strictly at your own risk. I shall not be liable for any errors, omissions, or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided in accordance with no warranties and does not confer any rights.
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Take the Leap: Embrace a New Beginning
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