We’ve made it halfway through 2020! I’m proud of you all for making it to this point in what could be described for most as “a very bad year.”
I don’t really know what I want to say, but in addition to Covid (and everything going on in the world), it feels really like a bleak time. I’ve taken a step back from social media in an effort to focus a bit more on my mental health. I feel very conflicted about it; between the vitally important Black Lives Matter civil rights movement happening now, as well as the allegations in the comic book industry about predators thriving in it, it hasn’t felt like I could step away. But I’m trying to at least step back as opposed to fully away.
One thing I wanted to address to people is the illusion of success and creativity during everything though. I’ve had a few messages from creators that are asking me how I’m doing it; how I’m continuing to work, be busy, and push through everything happening. I wish I had a good answer for this, but the real truth of the matter is that I’m struggling too. A lot.
I have barely been able to write in weeks. I can’t sleep properly between everything happening, my anxiety, and then the heat wave that’s hit Toronto. I’ve always struggled to write from home so it’s been a massive adjustment over the last few months. Forcing myself to work on creative projects as well as juggling my day job (and new roles within that) is very difficult.
I don’t have a solution for those who want to know what my secret is. The truth is that I’m in the same boat; I’m overwhelmed, exhausted, angry, and I feel depleted.
What I do know is that it’s okay to not be okay right now. It’s okay to need your friends, and to seek help when you are feeling hopeless. I’m trying to remember to be kind to myself, and to not feel guilty if I only have the capacity to binge-watch TV.
UPDATES:
Oh My Gods is almost ready to go. Insha and I finished up our notes on the interior art and the book is nearly complete. Juliana has worked so hard to turn in her pages (my gods, we owe you a spa day…) and Whitney Cogar has been absolutely killing it on the colours for the book. Hopefully we’ll be able to share more on that soon. The official release date is January 5, 2021.
ParaNorthern has also been given an official release date! It’s almost exactly a year away from publication which is set for July 13, 2021.
Take care of yourselves. Remember that through this all, you’re not alone, and we will get to the other side of this.
<3 <3 <3