THE INSIDE
PROJECT
WELCOME TO THE
INSIDE PROJECT
The Inside Project is a personal journal into the time, work and effort put into a DIY shipping container home, but it’s more than just studs, walls and windows - it’s about how it helped build a healthier headspace.
This site explains how to build walls while suggesting how to tear down psychological ones. How to install windows and doors, to let the light in and to help to open up to genuinely observe and enjoy it. We'll create an outdoor living space that helps connect with the outside world- while building inner spaces that help you cope with it.
This shipping container project is a personal journey that has helped me build a clearer mindset. Your project could be to learn how to make music, become a gardener, start a business or write a book. Whatever helps your mental health but please know that the project is not just the activity, it's you and if your project is not perfect, it's ok.
WHY SHIPPING CONTAINERS
AND MENTAL HEALTH?
To build a shipping container home with no experience in the field takes a lot of research, planning, focus, consistency and most importantly, determination. You have to really want to do this! The bigger the project the more attention it will need. Focusing on your passion makes it hard to stay in bad headspace. When we are accomplishing something we desire we can transmute stress and anxiety into profound moments of peace and clarity by engaging in positive activity amidst the chaos. Engaging deeply with our passions enables us to unleash the strength needed to tackle life's challenges head-on. Embracing interests with fervor; you are not just building a barrier against the turbulence—you are gaining personal growth and resilience while paving a path to empowerment.
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH DIY
There’s an amazing sense of accomplishment that comes from doing it yourself. Every step taken is an opportunity to learn and thrive while gaining confidence in our abilities as potential is unlocked. Doing it yourself also takes you away from overwhelming social negativities while keeping you focused on what really matters to you. If you pace yourself you'd be amazed by what you can accomplish in any field you choice. Venturing into the unknown you'll learn you have all the tools within you to succeed.
MY NAME IS Akilah
About me...
From a young age, I have struggled with mental and physical abuse, depression, anger, anxiety, insecurities, a short temper, defensiveness, etc. I will even admit I have made some interesting life choices. I started going to a counselor and it definitely helped. However, as an adult, I began to face more extreme challenges, so I decided to look into counseling once again and found that my faith in therapy had changed. I did not feel it was as helpful as I remember. Without the help from a counselor, I would either shut down when frustrated or explode, mostly shut down. This behavior caused a lot of unhappiness and regret in my life. I wanted that to change.
In 2016, I became a Soka Gakkai Buddhist and the practice has helped in many ways. I began chanting, meditating and doing research on the history of mental health. I started reading books and watching movies, that kept me in a positive headspace. However, I continued to stay in a toxic environment and because of it, even with all of my efforts, I felt I had an emotional break down. I went from extreme stress, sadness and anger to feeling numb and unstable. I had to get out of that situation by any means necessary so, after putting it off for so many years, I officially started my Shipping Container Project.