First week of the FURIOUSLY HAPPY Book Tour and it’s been so amazing. Thank you! I’m always shocked to see so many faces there, especially since so many of us deal with anxiety levels that keep us from attending the things we want. And I totally get that. If you came or plan to come to the tour I am incredibly thrilled and proud, but know that it’s okay if you can’t make yourself. If you come you will not be alone and you will be surrounded by other people who understand completely. Even if you just drive to the parking lot and make it no further you should be incredibly proud of yourself. And if you know that you can’t do it and are practicing self-care by staying home know that that is a brave act in itself. I’m so proud of every single person in this community and I want you to know that.
This week I met a woman who had only made it to the parking lot at my last book tour and then could go no further and cried in her car feeling like a failure for not having the courage to come in. This time she made it inside and met lovely friends in line and made me so happy with her story.
I met a beautiful girl who missed my last book tour because her agoraphobia had her confined to her home for months. She showed up in Houston and is now getting ready to start her new job…as a flight attendant traveling the world.
I met a lovely man who gave me jewelry his wife made out of broken things she finds who couldn’t make herself come to the signing line but watched from a distance as she saw me appreciate the beauty that comes from the broken pieces so many ignore.
I met a woman who told me that her beautiful transgender daughter struggles with depression but that this book is helping to convince her that although her life right now is now easy, every day she’s alive is a chance to find happiness.
I met a man who brought the book I’d signed for him years ago when he was battling leukemia in the hospital. I’d written “KICK CANCERS ASS” in it. Three years later I was able to finally hug him in person and write “YOU KICKED CANCERS ASS” in my new book.
I’ve met Whovians and psychiatrists and teenagers and people in red ball gown carrying taxidermied possums or giant metal chickens or fee tie pajamas. I’ve met people who hand me a book to sign and say only, “I don’t have words” and I understand and appreciate what it means that they are there. And it’s been amazing. Today I’m hiding in my hotel room because that’s how I practice self-care. And that’s okay. And however you practice self-care is okay too.
Just, thank you. Thank you for being here. Thank you for the feedback online or in person. Thank you for keeping me going. Thank you for finding friends in book-signing lines or online or (the hardest one for me) thank you for finding a friend in yourself. I’m still working on that one too. We can work on it together.
A few shots from the road so far…
Next stop? Atlanta, Nashville and Miami. I hope you can come, but no matter what you’re here with us in spirit. Click here for the whole tour list.