This is my post from yesterday’s substack for my mom because I love her and she doesn’t understand how substacks work and wanted to read it. My substack is just a place for sharing my art each week but it’s somehow become more than that at times and I apologize for sometimes being more wordy than arty:
Last week was very peopley. My parents came to stay, and Hailey and their sweetheart came home from college, and I spent hours at the bookstore signing anything that people wanted to bring in. And so I am absolutely on-the-floor exhausted because I am a forever introvert, but also feeling so lucky that I was able to see the people I love. So many people who stopped by Nowhere had the same shaky hands I do and were helped in line by friends or family who understood their anxiety and encouraged them to do the hard thing and were proud of them for doing something that might seem so easy for others who don’t deal with mental illness, but can sometimes feel incredibly difficult even when it’s also wonderful.
One mom came in with her young daughter who was just as shy as I was at her age and she was so patient and kind and created such a lovely, safe place to encourage without shame, and the conversation I had with her daughter was like talking to me when I was little…a way of saying to little me that it will get better…that we are not alone…that all of the best people are a little bit different. I’m so lucky to be able to see this in real time. I’m so lucky to have friends and family and community who support me even when they don’t understand me, and to be able to see others being supported as well. It reminded me of the fact that sometimes we don’t always have safe places to hide when things get scary, and how important it is to be able to create those soft places inside ourselves where we can give ourselves the love and understanding we need. But more importantly it reminds me of how often others become our safe places. And also how often we heal and grow ourselves by becoming a sanctuary for others.
I have a lot of people who say incredibly kind things to me about how I’ve helped them or people they love, but I wouldn’t be able to do that without others saving me, again and again. And that means you too. If you read or listen or care then you have helped save me and I can’t tell you how much you’ve done. The ripples you send out make such differences that you may never see, but if you want to just one small example, look at me. Thank you for giving me shelter from the voices in my head that aren’t always so kind.
In case you can’t read the tiny words I wrote on this weeks drawing: “If you can’t find a safe, gentle escape, you can always build one inside of yourself… And with enough practice, you can become one for others.”
The thing inspiring me this week? Have you met Mychal? He works at he Solano Library and is probably the kindest, most joyful person ever and he always makes me smile. You should love him too.
Hugs,
Jenny
Thank you for all you do. The world is a much better place because of you! And also Mychal! He is amazing!!!
I need this on something!
I love Mychal’s instagram! I haven’t been following for long but I love all of the stories about library kids. I was one once, too! Thank you for your encouragement and your books and everything you’ve done over the years that’s helped me understand that it’s OK to be me. I have a long way to go still, but part of where I am is thanks to you. <3
Years ago you made a post about a band playing in your house because they knew you couldn’t leave your house. It made me know I’m not alone. I leave my house because I have to. Given my own way, I’d never leave my house. My trip to San Antonio left me depleted and exhausted.
I’m sorry I was so nervous to meet you in person!! I just didn’t want to start crying and freak everyone out. It took me hours to like prepare myself (and a few Xanax lol) but thank you for still being there when I got there. You’re such an inspiration in my life I’m always re-reading your books when I’m low. And I also have given so many copies of your books to my friends when they need it too. I hope to also share them with my daughters when they’re a little older. Thank you Jenny for being EXACTLY the person you are!!! Never change!
We (Cathy and Pam) loved meeting you and talking with you! Thank you for peopling!
I *so totally* love Mychal!! (And you, of course, as always, Jenny. Thank you!)
I would love a print of this to hang in my therapy office. Is it for sale anywhere?
(You can always print it out for free but maybe I can put together a calendar of all the recent drawings on zazzle. Hmmm. ~ Jenny)
Thank you, Jenny. My family is going through a crisis right now, and I feel as if I’m standing still, while a tornado swirls around me, and I cannot find anything to grab hold if to ground and stabilize me, but your words always seem to give me some light. Even if it’s just a little speck.
(Sending you so much love. ~ Jenny)
Yes! Discovered Michal a few weeks ago and always look forward to his kindness to make my day!
Love this so much. <3
I love Mychal! I follow him on Threads and his joy is so contagious!
I’ve been following Mychal on Twitter for a while now, and always look forward to his videos: Yes! And also your posts, Jenny, Yes!
Wow Jenny. Just wow. What a beautiful post, tearing up as I write this. Your books and your blog have made me feel so very very grateful that you had the courage to write your truth AND share it. I feel a lot less alone when I read anything you’ve written Thank you.
I’m a serious introvert too, like you. Unlike you I don’t have the support system, let alone family around me. I am glad you do. I often think, Well, I don’t need that or want it, because after all I am such a loner and besides I am always depressed so why would anyone want to be around me? Better I just stay at home alone. But then I read this post of yours and know that if I had what you have I would be so grateful for it.
(I would want to be around you. Don’t discount the importance of introverted friends who are happy to sit in silence while watching bad tv. Check in your area for silent book clubs. They’re no-pressure clubs where you just sit together and read silently. Or crafting hours at bookstores or libraries. Lots of ways to spend time with people without having to be extroverted. ~ Jenny)
Oh Jenny, YOU are the one. Happy you had a great time a Nowhere. YOU make it happen all the time. LOVE from here.
I stumbled across Mychal a few months ago and his posts are incredible and full of positivity and warm-fuzzy feelings.
Found my safe self early on and 76 years out am still relying on us both. Am hugging your brain.
I love Mychal! He loves the library as much as I do! And I love you! You constantly remind me that I can do this, even when it’s hard. Be the change you want to see in the world!
I’m having an extremely difficult year and it is very hard to imagine the light at the end of the tunnel, let alone see it. Thank you for your blog posts; they are a tiny speck of shimmery light in the middle of a very long, dark tunnel.
I just spent a half hour with Mychal. Thank You!!!
I have a Solano Library Card! How have I never heard of Mychal?
My daughter and I loved meeting you years ago at a book signing in Atlanta. You were so sweet and friendly, which made it easier for her to be outside of her comfort zone. Thank you for being you!
You are a light in the tunnel for us all, giving us the freedom to be perfectly imperfect and broken, and know we are not alone on this journey, we are all in this together, separately, even if we are curled up in a puddle of despair and anxiety, we have the community you created to help us all see that there are others on this journey who understand what demons we face in our lives, and that depression lies to us.
I commented on Substack, yesterday, but wanted to thank you, again.
This time of the year is really, REALLY, difficult, for me.
My babies* are both hundreds of miles from me, and I can’t spend the holidays with either of them, and it is killing me inside.
So, I hide in my office, read your blog/Substack, and cry until I can maintain in front of my Mister, because he feels helpless when I cry, and I love him, so I don’t want him to feel badly.
It does not help that someone gave us the Mother of All Colds, for a Thanksgiving Treat.
(IT’S NOT THE PLAGUE!)
So, we weep, and eat a bowl of chicken soup, and watch something old, familiar, and comforting.
Then, we get on.
Because it is what we do, and have always done.
So many virtual hugs, from this random internet stranger, to you, dear Pocket Friend.
To all the Pocket Friends, here, actually.
We got this.
.
*They are almost 40, they are not really babies, but they will always be my babies.
1. you rock. 2. I love that librarian and how much he loves “library kids.” I was once a library kid; now I am a library adult. 3. you rock
Oh my goodness! I know you hear it a million times but I suffer from a lot of the things you do. Lots of PTSD and tons of other things. This one hit home in a rare warm way. I don’t get that much. Seems being quirky, fat (me not you), and different are not acceptable and that’s the true travesty. Thank you so very much for being you and sharing, even when you don’t feel like it. This Kentucky girl thinks you are pretty damn amazing and am so very grateful for your books and… well you! Love you, from Kentucky 📚- Tina
Jenny, you can see by the comments here just how affected we are by you and your, I don’t want to call it work, cuz that trivializes it, by your authentic self. You give us all a safe place to be authentic, and that’s all most of us ever wanted, and sadly, didn’t get as children or as adults. Mychal is the poster person for a safe place, for everything that a library IS, and for why kindness trumps everything. I would listen to audiobooks that he recorded. He is the sweet, you are the salt – and we need BOTH. Because some days I am sweet, some days salty. Don’t need anyone telling me I can only be ONE way, thank you!
I just wanted to say that your blog layout is very friendly to having accessibility read your blog aloud. It doesn’t have a lot of headers it goes straight into the words and it’s wonderful. I appreciate that because I am an audiobook listener and I do other things while I’m listening to things and so when I find a website that I want to read that can read aloud to me without having to read a bunch of gibberish to frame the page it is wonderful, and I’m sure people who really need the accessibility also appreciate this. Thank you.
Jenny, thank you for this beautiful, heartwarming post!
To all of those experiencing depression and/or anxiety, I highly recommend taking a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) course. They are 8 weeks long and available online. It has made a huge difference in my life. If a class isn’t accessible to you, you may want to read The Mindful Way Through Depression and use the Mindful Way Through Depression Workbook. It’s the same material that is covered in the course.
Sending love and good wishes to all of you! ❤️
Jenny,
Thanks for being a light in this old world. We need more and I think you blink on more as you write and engage. Im a extrovert\ Introvert (is there such a thing??) . As i get older i seem to prefer climbing in my cave more often 🙂
Cheers to you!
-Butterpants
Thank you for carrying on, and doing hard things as you are able. Seeing you do them, makes it easier for me to also carry on and do hard things.
I have been in a low for a little while now, and seeing your light helps me stoke mine.
Ooooooh this is my library! How did I not know about Mychal? OMG I COULD ACTUALLY GO TO MYCHAL’S LIBRARY
The challenges that you live with every day allow you to help other people struggle… Thank you for being you.
I, former libraryian, have been following Mychal for awhile. He is delightful! I think he is on the cusp of going viral.
Hi! We live in Del Norte Colorado. I have custody of my 2 granddaughters.They are 10 and 14 years old. I know if I got on squish mellow the other one would want it. So that is why there are 2 of them. They are big into squish mellows. Merry Christmas and happy New Year! https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/4NY4EZ22ZFVY?ref_=wl_share
(Someone beat me to it! ~ Jenny)
Mychal is my FAVORITE!!! I’ve been following him for a while now and I love how he is changing how we all see each other. <3
This is a lovely and heartfelt post to share with your mom, and I’m happy to help you turn it into a comment for her.
Just wanted to share yesterday’s Substack post with you, Mom! I know you don’t understand Substack much yet, but this one felt extra special and I wanted you to be able to read it.
It’s about the busy week I had with family and friends, and how it reminded me of the importance of safe spaces and support systems. It especially resonated with me because of the kind interactions I had with people at the bookstore signing.
There’s this beautiful message about finding safety within ourselves, but also how we can be sanctuaries for others. It’s something I wouldn’t have realized without the love and support of people like you, even if you don’t always understand the details!
You might not see the “tiny words” in the drawing, but they say: “If you can’t find a safe, gentle escape, you can always build one inside of yourself… And with enough practice, you can become one for others.” ✨
And the person inspiring me this week? You already know him – the wonderful Mychal from the Solano Library who always brightens my day!
Love you tons,
Khalid elarbi
*************************************************************
RayaaandSkina
مسلسل ريا وسكينة
This is a lovely and heartfelt post to share with your mom, and I’m happy to help you turn it into a comment for her.
Just wanted to share yesterday’s Substack post with you, Mom! I know you don’t understand Substack much yet, but this one felt extra special and I wanted you to be able to read it.
It’s about the busy week I had with family and friends, and how it reminded me of the importance of safe spaces and support systems. It especially resonated with me because of the kind interactions I had with people at the bookstore signing.
There’s this beautiful message about finding safety within ourselves, but also how we can be sanctuaries for others. It’s something I wouldn’t have realized without the love and support of people like you, even if you don’t always understand the details!
You might not see the “tiny words” in the drawing, but they say: “If you can’t find a safe, gentle escape, you can always build one inside of yourself… And with enough practice, you can become one for others.” ✨
And the person inspiring me this week? You already know him – the wonderful Mychal from the Solano Library who always brightens my day!
Love you tons,
khalidelarbi