Echo Through the Fog

June 2020 update: I made this comic in November 2016 when I felt like our country was falling apart. It’s still falling apart. We need to take action now, and always, to fight racism, police brutality, & injustice in our communities. We can’t be passive.

I hope this comic continues to be helpful for folks like me who struggle to balance activism & mental health. You can find an Instagram version of this comic here.

I’d also like to recommend 5calls.org, a fantastic resource for calling your representatives.

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When you struggle with your mental health on a daily basis, it can be hard to take action on the things that matter most to you. The mental barriers anxiety creates often appear insurmountable. But sometimes, when you really need to, you can break those barriers down. This week, with encouragement from some great people on the internet, I pushed against my anxiety and made some calls to members of our government. Here’s a comic about how you can do that, too. (Resources and transcript below.)

Find your reps:

Find your representative at house.gov

Find your senators at senate.gov

Happy Halloween! Today marks the end of Inktober. It's been a great month! Here are two drawings from today:

I drew this squiggly self-portrait with my left hand because my right wrist felt inflamed. A fitting end to Inktober? But then...

Here’s a Simple Halloween costume:

You’ll need:

translucent green folder

scissors

wire

headband

hot glue gun or some tape

1. Cut Cut the folder into twelve isosceles triangles of the same size.

2. Assemble Glue or tape six triangles together to form a base-less hexagonal prism. Do the same with the other six triangles, and then combine the two prisms at the base.

3. Insert Insert one end of the wire into one of the tips of the prisms. Use tape or hot glue to secure it.

4. Attach Wrap the other end of the wire around the middle of the headband.

Dream Pants

pants with at least eight cargo pockets

jeans with pockets deep enough to fit a smart phone

Lately I’ve been feeling particularly grumpy about second-hand smoke. Be mindful of the people around you.

Illustration description: Me glaring at a hand to the right, which holds a cigarette emitting a circle of smoke around my head.

Here's a comic I've been meaning to make for ages about being a sweaty person. You can click the image to view a larger version in new tab.

The Sweat Cycle

1. Walk swiftly to work and arrive sweaty. (illustration of me smiling a tiny bit while holding my backpack straps, with visible sweat droplets jumping off my head and sweat patches visible in the armpit region of my button-up shirt)

2. Air conditioning is so cool, sweat won’t dry. (illustration of me with hands on computer keyboard, looking down somewhat worriedly at armpit sweat patches as air blows around in the background)

3. Sweat patches stay wet & become very cold. (illustration of me sitting at keyboard, clenching my teeth, and shaking a little bit as air blows around me)

4. Put on hoodie to warm up. (illustration of me wearing a hoodie and looking rather content as I sit at my keyboard, air blowing around me)

Description:

I spent most of last night working on my D&D character, who compulsively tries to pick every lock she comes across.