Are you a writer?
(If you write, you’re a writer. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.)
Are you dealing with anxiety and perhaps the occasional depression?
You’re Not Alone.
I’m on the same boat.
And I have a newsletter for you. Hello!
It’s been a very long time since I published a newsletter. But I do know what it’s like being a writer-type-person struggling with mental health issues. I’m here to tell you you’re not alone. I’m here to share what I do to cope with my anxiety, and sometimes even be able to write! 😂
I want to help you build your own toolbox – a personalized collection of tools and strategies to deal with your anxiety.
This is the newsletter for you. 🙂
Why This?
Sure, there’s tons of writing advice, craft lessons, courses and whatnot. That’s not what I do – there’s a lot of people way better qualified for that than me.
I started this newsletter because it’s hard to write when your anxiety is sky-high, your heart is racing and your body can’t decide if it wants to run or fall apart.
Because sometimes you can’t get any writing done, since your brain is too busy going in circles about everything you ever did wrong. All the things that can go wrong. All the things you should have done. All the things you forgot How everything will end in a catastrophe of epic proportions. And, and, and….
Or maybe it’s one of those days (or weeks, or months…) when you’re drowning in overwhelm and sadness, and you just want the world to stop.
I know how that feels. I know how hard it is.
Why Me
I’ve been writing since before I knew how to write.* And I’ve been dealing with anxiety and depression for decades.
For years, I didn’t have anyone to talk about it. For a long time, I didn’t even have a name for what was happening to me, why I am the way I am. Why everything was so hard for me, when it seemed to be easy for everyone else.
The one thing I knew was that I wanted to feel better. So I read, learned, tried, practiced and adapted lots of strategies and tools to cope with my anxiety. To live the best life I can, to make my life easier.
I call that collection of tools… yep, you guessed it. My anxiety toolbox.
So here I am, to let you know that you’re not alone. There’s light at the other end. You can live with anxiety and still have a great life and do cool things. It’s not going to be easy, and I don’t believe things will ever be 100% fine all of the time. But that’s true for everyone, isn’t it? Life is never perfect for anybody.
But it can be good. It can be fun. We can have good days, and feel okay. If not all the time, at least sometimes.
Keep in mind, I’m not a professional. I’m just talking about my own experiences, the way I see the word and how I deal with my mental health issues.
If you can, seek professional help – it helps a lot, and I say that as someone who did it. Everything got a little bit easier once I was able to see a therapist and take medication.
* I used to dictate my stories to my parents so they could write them down for me. I still have the original copy of “The bear who had eyes that sparkled like blue bananas”.
About Me
Nospheratt. Nos for short.
I’m in my 40s. Not cis. Not neurotypical. Not from the USA, and English is my fourth language. Living the expat life in Geneva, Switzerland.
I do not tolerate bigotry of any kind, be it transphobia, racism, misogyny, xenophobia, ableism, or any other other bullshit.
Trans people are welcome here, of course.
I am pro choice. I am political, because merely existing as I do is political.
If you disagree with any of the above statements, you shouldn’t be here. In the words of the marvelous Michael Sheen, you are most welcome to very fuck off.
Otherwise, I am delighted to have you here. Welcome to my house, I hope you enjoy the journey!
What can you expect when you sign up
No spam, ever.
Bi-weekly editions in your inbox, with ideas, tips and strategies to cope with anxiety and hopefully make your life easier. To create some space so writing can happen.
Beyond that, we’ll figure it out together, alright? Alright. I’m really glad you’re here.
Ready to join me?
Ready to start working on your own toolbox?
Header image by Mathyas Kurmann on Unsplash