LIFTING SPIRITS WITH BUTTERFLIES MENTAL HEALTH 2021 WITH ASHLEY WHITTINGTON WHAT IS ‘THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT’? ‘The Butterfly Effect’ began for me in early 2017. I was spending my day walking through a town in Mudgee. I came across a man and after engaging in the niceties of casual conversation he revealed to me that he was experiencing a challenging time in his life. We spoke for a while and then went our separate ways. I wished that there was more I could do for him. I walked to the park, picked a flower and folded an origami butterfly from a stack of sticky notes in my bag.
Then I went back to where I had met the man and I gave them to him, wishing him better days to come. Observing the positive shift in his demeanour felt like an important moment for me. For me, it is the subtle details that hold the most meaning. It was then that I decided to try to replicate that moment throughout the Mudgee community. That was how ‘The Butterfly Effect’ was born. - Ashley Whittington, Young Volunteer of the Year 2020 ‘The Butterfly Effect’ is a project aimed at promoting mindfulness for positive mental health and was created by Ashley, through her own experience of mental health. With every loving fold, a simple piece of paper is transformed into a beautiful butterfly, while at the same time, positive conversations about mental health, resilience building, strength and connection gently unfold.
WHY IS FOLDING BUTTERFLIES IMPORTANT? Every butterfly a person makes and gives away is a way to create an opportunity for connection. The value is in the heart and thought put into every fold
54
