Sorry this one’s a little bit of a downer. Honestly, most of the time when I make comics about being depressed, by the time I’m finished drawing I’m not depressed anymore. I guess it should come as no surprise to anyone who reads this comic on a regular basis that I use comics as therapy.
It’s been hitting me a little hard this year, and this is the form it takes – powerful feelings of insecurity and inadequacy echoing around in my brain until it’s all I can hear. When it gets really bad, it’s so hard to convince myself to do anything, to be productive at all. Even drawing this comic was incredibly hard at times, because it just seemed like a waste of effort for something that wouldn’t even be that good.
But I pushed through it and finished the comic. I can usually push through it. And I have vitamin D, I have yoga, I have a therapy lamp. And as long as I remember to keep using these things I can keep my head above water.
(Also, drawing helps a lot)
Never forget–you have a formidable army in the Becan clan and we all love you to the moon and back!
The idea of seasonal depression is very foreign to me, here from the ever sunny Rio de Janeiro, but I do hope you are feeling better! I’ll be sending you some sun rays from Brazil. :)
I have days like that. That’s when I pick up a pen and write my heart out and drown out the voices that tell me to stop.
I love your comics and your art! It’s such a joy to see an update from you. I feel the same way during the winter months. Exercise & good food/nutrition really are the best remedies. ::hugs!::
Wow. Your stuff is terrific. My son Nik turned me on to your work and I am so grateful. Hang in there. Keep up with the Vit D and the sun is out today!
Been feeling WAY down and grey this winter. You’re not alone being hit hard by it! I’m running, and trying to get outdoors runs in on the weekends when I can get a teeny tiny bit of sunshine. Hang in there, keep drawing, keep downward dogging.
LOVE YOU! You know you’re the smartest, coolest, and most talented lady I know! <3
I don’t think it’s a downer at all — after all, you’re drowning the negative voice in yoga and Vitamin D. It’s nice to see depression portrayed so well and to have it part of the humor. Thanks for sharing and hang in there. We love your drawing and sense of humor.
You guys are so awesome!! thank you so much for all the support and kind words.
I am sad that you are sad. I know these voices are like nasty Mosquitos buzzing around you in the dark. But when you turn on the light you can see how small they are and swat them dead. I just got back from a week of retreat, or I would have been the first commenter.
Ps I take delight in the fact that I gave you the lamp!
I’ve only been following for a short time, linked together by a common thread of ‘blink’ and Max Ink…but I find what you do cute, inspiring, lovely, personal, passionate, emotional, brave, socially needed, and empowering…they are small words in a vast ocean of what you are swimming through, but they are fish, companions and nourishment…I hope they help guide you to shore
I adore your comics and sense of humor. You encouraged me to start my own autobio comic as self-therapy for some of my own issues. Thanks!
Thank you for this comic. It’s a reality for lots of folks this time of year — it’s nice to know that we aren’t alone. And that there’s humor to be found even in pain.
I hope that you can say, “You are lying, brain! People flat-out think that my work is awesome and that I am awesome. They have told me so. It is an OBJECTIVE FACT.” Because it is. <3
I LOVE your work. Keep it up. I hope your bad feelings pass quickly.
Guys, thank you so much for all the comments!! It really means so much to me, you guys are the best :D
I adore your honesty and you!
The vitamin D pills do make a difference. As long as I’ve known him, my boyfriend naps during lunch and after work. He’s always so sullen when wintertime comes. His blood test confirmed a deficiency in vitamin D. The supplements have improved his mood and I don’t need to wake him for dinner anymore.
<3 I hope you know you're not alone and that your comics are really touching, personal and wonderful, I hope you feel better soon x