– Happy Monday. I’ve been feeling really down and unable to focus or get out any enjoyment out of work lately. I don’t usually suffer from depression, but I guess thats what this is. Plus anxiety. always so much anxiety. I’m trying to make sure I don’t miss any updates and have these pages on time, but its been a struggle when honestly I really just want to kind of give up and sink into nothing right now. I wasn’t going to mention this at all, but recently it seems like I’ve been sharing less in my updates and communicating with you all less. I feel like I actually used to have some rapport with you all, but more and more often that seems to be less and less. I doubt any of you want to hear about depression, so I’ll just say that I’m trying to move past it and find ways to be excited about my work.
I guess thats it.
Just take the time, and take care of yourself if you need it. It doesn’t sound very healthy to keep pushing yourself like this.
There’s more to life than Yeld.
I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way, Jake. I know depression and anxiety aren’t fun, and they’re not easy. Don’t feel like you need to always make the posts on time or please us. We just like your work when you can do it! You’re stuff is really awesome, and I hope you can get back into enjoying it because it’s so amazing, but I understand how difficult that can be. And don’t feel like you have to share things you don’t want to, but never feel like we don’t want to hear about it, because we do. We’re here for you. Go Jake!
Thank you. really.
Typo in the fifth panel, first word bubble…alomg.
Hope you feel better soon. If you’re that anxious about finishing comics on time, maybe you should go on hiatus for a couple weeks or even a month. Slow down, relax, build up a buffer without posting for a while. Your health and happiness come first and we’ll still be here when you get back.
Ugh. I’ll fix that when I can.
i really hate the idea of going on hiatus, and even though I’ve done it before I never seem to feel better when I come back. Rather, I feel like I need to be able to pt everything else on hiatus.
Man, I totally relate to feeling like that.
On another note, I forgot to tell you that my daughter got the package, and was totally thrilled to bits. She read all the books backwards and forwards, and then lent them out to the friends we were staying with, who were all thrilled about it, and wanting to read more.
Thanks again so much!
Oh, thats really nice to hear. I’m so glad!
Well hey, WE’RE excited about your work! Mermaid character development has been great. Thanks for continuing to create.
I’m sorry you’re in a rough patch right now and hope things start looking up soon.
I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
Sending hugs. I’m sorry you’re going through this. We’ll understand if you have to take a break. Please take care of yourself! You’re an awesome person.
Thanks. I appreciate it.
I’ve just noticed that the previous page has a misspelled URL, “jenneys” instead of “jennys”.
thanks for pointing that out.
Depression is tough. I hope things improve. Take care of yourself.
I’m really enjoying your story.
Thanks.
Maybe run another drive like you did when the computer broke? Help ease things on your end, make less stress in other parts of you life. You make a great product and I and I’m sure others wouldn’t mind helping out, since we get it for free most of the time. Just a thought.
I appreciate the suggestion. Money isn’t really an issue right now (well… but no more than usual) so much as time. I constantly feel like I need an extra 5 hours a day, or 2 days a week. unfortunately money won’t help with that.
Plus you’ve all been so generous with me, I don’t want to ask for more unless I really need it.
*HUGGLES* I understand depression and anxiety all to well and please take care of yourself. We will be here hoping Deb has not been turned against her friend when you feel like continuing
Thanks.
I say take a VayKay from the strip…a week or so…see what that does for your outlook on things.
Hey man if you need to just do once a week or month even. You can also take a sabbatical if you need to.
Depression and I have a loooong history together, and the past couple of weeks have been a particularly rough patch for me as well. Given what you said about feeling like you don’t have nearly enough time, this may not sound like the most helpful suggestion, but let me know if you want to take a break and go for a walk or play a board game or something. I have a ton, or Red Castle is just down the street, and I’m working from home Thursdays and Fridays. For me, leaving the house and doing something with someone else is always the thing I want to do the least when I’m depressed, but even when I kind of hate it, it almost always helps in the end. You should be able to send me a message through Patreon.
I appreciate that a lot. Thanks. I’ll let you know. I think you’re right. I’ve been avoiding people for the last several months, and that can’t help.
I know you said it’s hard to get excited about your work, but think of it this way, Jake: You’re the god of your comic worlds! When you started this comic (and your others), you created something entirely new that only you could create. You’ve breathed life into a slew of characters that people are able to adore and empathize with, characters that make them truly worry for the safety and well being of the heroes. Your comics have created a group of followers, people who have gotten hooked on your work and kept coming back for more over the span of years (myself included). Not everyone is able to breathe life into a story like that, or draw people in like that. They’re special skills. Ones that I think that you are quite gifted with. However, even gods need a break from time-to-time. We adore your comics, Jake, but we care for you, their creator, as well. Take breaks when you need to and get lots of rest. We all hope that you feel better soon and that you can enjoy doing anything you like without worry.
Thanks for saying all that.
You’ve given all of us many wonderful years of your work, and, simply put, you’re a human being. The least we can do is support you when you need it in whatever way we can, even if it’s just by trying to encourage you to look after yourself.
Your comics are good stuff and I wish you did more. I’m not normally a poster of praise but I feel you DO try hard to keep this going. Keep up the good work.
Jake – I’m so sorry. These are becoming hard times for many of us (not at all to diminish what you are feeling). Been having to pause from projects and ended up disconnecting (social media was *not* helping things). Take good care of yourself!
I understand, and that really is true. Things are rough for a lot of people right now, and when that happens I guess we all focus on other this, I know hats how I am.
Like Krys, “depression and I have a loooong history” also. Everybody’s treatment differs. For some time off is part of the solution, for others it’s work, so don’t assume you need a hiatus. For nearly all of us, the fix is a mix (of meds, therapy, activity, diet, rethinking), so don’t assume there’s just one magic button. So find your mix. Talk to us, talk to a pro, talk to a doc. You’re an amazing creator, but more importantly you’re an amazing person. Keep trying things to see what keeps you amazing.
Thanks. I’ve been feeling better this week. Part of that is because I spent some time talking to friends, which helped. But also talking to all of you has been helpful too.
Hey, yet another reader with depression and anxiety here to say “you’re not alone, even though you feel totally disconnected”.
I know how much depression can drain the passion and engagement out of everything you usually enjoy. I also understand the dilemma of “pushing through feels awful, but not pushing through feels awful too” because that’s just what depression does.
I wish I had solid advice, because obviously everyone is different despite having some overlapping experiences. But something that helps me (though I admit that it’s way easier said than done) is just finding a way to take the pressure off of myself, because my depression is very much tied to my anxiety (a constant high level of stress hormones has to have a crash eventually, I suppose).
And if it at all helps you take some any off of yourself, I’ll remind you that your fans aren’t going to abandon you if you miss some updates, or don’t update for a while. You don’t have to push through on our account, but you also don’t have to force a hiatus on yourself. You can take it day by day. None of it has to be a permanent decision.
Don’t get me wrong, I really love this comic and I hope to see more of it, but you being well is more important.
Take care of yourself. I’m rooting for you.
Thanks. I appreciate all of that. It helps to hear.