Last week Mychal Threets posted a picture with your book saying how much it helped him with his own depression struggles. Knowing how down you've felt lately I thought it was a lovely sign from the universe that though it seems so dark where you are you've set out lanterns for others all along the path.
Your honesty has always been the most sparkly thing about you, dear one, please know that. The 25%/100% point is brilliant and kind but you should also know we feel your shine even when, sometimes especially when, you are shades of gray and sharing that with us. That’s a mixed metaphor but I’m sticking with it. Love you. And sending love. And love doesn’t fix everything but hopefully you can feel its tenderness just a little. xo
I suffer from chronic migraines and my insurance denied a procedure I was supposed to have today to help. I was sitting here depressed as hell and then my phone pinged and it was your Substack. I immediately felt better because you always make me feel better. And then when I read it I just felt so seen—so much camaraderie…thank you for always sharing the truth—good or bad. And for your drawings that are so good and always on point. You made my day.
I love that as I sit here and your email pops up, I legit was "wasting" time coloring on my phone... ya know those apps that are just mind-numbing but kinda addicting... those ones.
I just loved that it told me I was doing enough.
Thanks Jenny! I am so glad that instead of doing the work I am being paid for or perhaps cleaning up this pigsty of a room would be a better use of time... but not preferable!
My ADHD thanks you for this reminder that sometimes, coloring on my phone because other things are just too hard right now is indeed okay.
Yup. I think I’m in the same place. Chronic pain completely depletes our energy level and that is a biggie in staving off the dark place our brain wanders into from time to time. Right now, I’m blaming the heat and humidity for things seeming so bleak. Staying inside, day after day, in the cool, in the dark probably isn’t the healthiest thing for these weird brains. I need to get outside, even if it’s just to quickly get inside the grocery store. I look a fright, but I guess that’s why God invented Red Sox caps. Can I get anyone anything from the market because I’m doing this!
Dear Jenny. Hang in there. We're all hanging in there with you. You will get through. We all will together. Those work is so important because as you said, if you only have 25% and you're giving it, you're giving it all. That's all we can do, dear one. We super crazy love you back. 🩷🌹🫂
So I went out with a friend today. Friend I hadn't seen in a few months.
And we were catching up on our lives. I was telling her about some of my recent medical issues. She could relate, as she was born with the same thing I was born with. How hard that all is lately. And also about how being sole caregiver to my wife has been hard. She has stuff too, mainly renal failure and on home dialysis. I deal with all my stuff, 95% of hers.
And then you came up. Because depression and anxiety are my lifelong homies. With a couple attempts under my belt. But I'm 50 years old and still here.
And that is partly because of you. Finding you, finding this community, reading your books. Among other things, you've helped me feel less alone in my broken brain. Your blogs, your drawings, your books, all help me deal with things, particularly this latest book specifically written for helping people deal with mental illness.
So not only did I wanna tell you that, but also tell you that my friend is gonna find you now and find your books. I love you, boss. 😊 Thank you for being the leader of this lovely band of weirdos. I hope you pull out of this latest battle soon. ❤️
Thanks, I needed this.Its strange because I forget that I have depression and just spend time wondering why I feel this way. I am changing my psych drugs this month so things have been worse. And the chronic pain just takes over and I wonder why I keep going. I also have to stop some pain pills just because I can’t afford them. Who knows what the next month will be like. I keep going for my kitty, Stella. She is my 15year old Velcro cat and I need her for comfort and so I will struggle along because who would take care of her? Life is just really hard right now. Thank you Jenny for everything and also to the community that you have built ❤️❤️❤️❤️🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
Publishing depression in real time creates a contract you didn't sign.
I write about mine on my own Substack, and the accountability loop is real. There's something strange about knowing someone will read next week's post and wonder if you're okay. It turns the writing into a kind of tether. A reason to make the phone call, book the appointment, follow through on the med change.
I think that's part of why long-form writing about mental health works differently from posting about it. You can't leave the story mid-sentence. You owe the next chapter to someone, even if you're not sure who.
Last week Mychal Threets posted a picture with your book saying how much it helped him with his own depression struggles. Knowing how down you've felt lately I thought it was a lovely sign from the universe that though it seems so dark where you are you've set out lanterns for others all along the path.
Your honesty has always been the most sparkly thing about you, dear one, please know that. The 25%/100% point is brilliant and kind but you should also know we feel your shine even when, sometimes especially when, you are shades of gray and sharing that with us. That’s a mixed metaphor but I’m sticking with it. Love you. And sending love. And love doesn’t fix everything but hopefully you can feel its tenderness just a little. xo
I suffer from chronic migraines and my insurance denied a procedure I was supposed to have today to help. I was sitting here depressed as hell and then my phone pinged and it was your Substack. I immediately felt better because you always make me feel better. And then when I read it I just felt so seen—so much camaraderie…thank you for always sharing the truth—good or bad. And for your drawings that are so good and always on point. You made my day.
I love that as I sit here and your email pops up, I legit was "wasting" time coloring on my phone... ya know those apps that are just mind-numbing but kinda addicting... those ones.
I just loved that it told me I was doing enough.
Thanks Jenny! I am so glad that instead of doing the work I am being paid for or perhaps cleaning up this pigsty of a room would be a better use of time... but not preferable!
My ADHD thanks you for this reminder that sometimes, coloring on my phone because other things are just too hard right now is indeed okay.
I think all your work is wonderful! 🤗😘
Yup. I think I’m in the same place. Chronic pain completely depletes our energy level and that is a biggie in staving off the dark place our brain wanders into from time to time. Right now, I’m blaming the heat and humidity for things seeming so bleak. Staying inside, day after day, in the cool, in the dark probably isn’t the healthiest thing for these weird brains. I need to get outside, even if it’s just to quickly get inside the grocery store. I look a fright, but I guess that’s why God invented Red Sox caps. Can I get anyone anything from the market because I’m doing this!
I am grateful for this comment and for The Bloggess.
Your 25% is 100% is brilliantly truth! Keep on doing your enough because it's worth it. Sending love and appreciation for your art.
I feel like I'm barely giving 5% today, but since that's all I've got and I'm giving it that's 100% by your math. I really like your math.
Dear Jenny. Hang in there. We're all hanging in there with you. You will get through. We all will together. Those work is so important because as you said, if you only have 25% and you're giving it, you're giving it all. That's all we can do, dear one. We super crazy love you back. 🩷🌹🫂
Depression, as well as addiction, are fucking liars. No nice words for that lot.
But I love, love, love the line segments that make up the border! And the overall effect is reminiscent of a coin. And certainly a precious one!
So I went out with a friend today. Friend I hadn't seen in a few months.
And we were catching up on our lives. I was telling her about some of my recent medical issues. She could relate, as she was born with the same thing I was born with. How hard that all is lately. And also about how being sole caregiver to my wife has been hard. She has stuff too, mainly renal failure and on home dialysis. I deal with all my stuff, 95% of hers.
And then you came up. Because depression and anxiety are my lifelong homies. With a couple attempts under my belt. But I'm 50 years old and still here.
And that is partly because of you. Finding you, finding this community, reading your books. Among other things, you've helped me feel less alone in my broken brain. Your blogs, your drawings, your books, all help me deal with things, particularly this latest book specifically written for helping people deal with mental illness.
So not only did I wanna tell you that, but also tell you that my friend is gonna find you now and find your books. I love you, boss. 😊 Thank you for being the leader of this lovely band of weirdos. I hope you pull out of this latest battle soon. ❤️
Thanks, I needed this.Its strange because I forget that I have depression and just spend time wondering why I feel this way. I am changing my psych drugs this month so things have been worse. And the chronic pain just takes over and I wonder why I keep going. I also have to stop some pain pills just because I can’t afford them. Who knows what the next month will be like. I keep going for my kitty, Stella. She is my 15year old Velcro cat and I need her for comfort and so I will struggle along because who would take care of her? Life is just really hard right now. Thank you Jenny for everything and also to the community that you have built ❤️❤️❤️❤️🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
It feel weird to "heart" a post when you're going through it. I love what you wrote but not how you feel. So also *hugs.*
Much love! You and your art make a beautiful difference on this platform. I look forward to your newsletter
It looks like constellations!
Publishing depression in real time creates a contract you didn't sign.
I write about mine on my own Substack, and the accountability loop is real. There's something strange about knowing someone will read next week's post and wonder if you're okay. It turns the writing into a kind of tether. A reason to make the phone call, book the appointment, follow through on the med change.
I think that's part of why long-form writing about mental health works differently from posting about it. You can't leave the story mid-sentence. You owe the next chapter to someone, even if you're not sure who.