I have struggled with anxiety and depression for most of my life. This tends to get particularly severe when I’m waiting for something to happen. Last year, I started working on being mindful of staying in the present, instead of beating myself up over the past or worrying about the future. This is harder than it seems, especially for someone like me, who spends a lot of time in her head.
A few of my friends suggested that I start a gratitude notebook and write down what made me thankful to be living my life at the end of each day. I dug out a little green notebook that someone I work with gave to me. It seemed like the perfect place to record what made me grateful, and “I work with kind people” was one of the things on my very first list. Now the notebook is filled with similar big-picture reflections—I’m grateful for my loved ones, the city I live in, having a roof over my head—but I wanted to slow down, pay attention, and notice what other, smaller things were making my life wonderful. It has helped me a lot—to get out of my head, and actually experience the world around me. —Stephanie
17 Comments
I’ve never been to Seattle, but i always wanted to go because of greys anatomy (hehe) I love how you make such ordinary things seem so special :)
crying just a little it’s fine this is wonderful
This is kind of beautiful. It’s always amazing how when you start to appreciate even the tiniest things in life, it (life) gets so much more colourful and wonderful.
This is absolutely lovely. Thank you so much for this. I guess it’s time I noticed the little things outside myself. It’s funny how they can make you happy, even just reading your experiences here.
-M
This is great.
I always try and have fun on my commutes and looking at the little things definitely helps slow things down and lets me enjoy the trip.
Loved this!
i absolutely adore this so so much!
I love this – and I wish I could illustrate like that!
so beautiful, this is lovely
Omg the bit about the waffles! I feel like that every time I remember what eating Krispy Kreme donuts is like.
This literally made me smile and go all warm inside <3
Stephanie, of all the writers for Rookie I really connect with your work the most. I live on Bainbridge Island, I’m vegan, and I also feel extremely depressed often. This is such a lovely idea, because I think taking time to feel gratitude really does lift me up wh I am feeling low. Another thing that helps me is reading a book that I hold dear or that will make me laugh. I think finding healthy ways to cope with depression is something that our country / our world needs to talk about more. So thank you for taking the time and creating this beautiful art! With gratitude, Emma
I instantly thought about Jaymay’s song when you wrote Blue or Gray :D
I’m loving this. Inspire me to see things in my life that I really like it, but don’t really appreciate much.
Beautiful.
this is so beautiful, one of my favourite articles ever :)
Your illustrations are very unique, and I love your them of the cartoon! I’d love to see more illustrations and your art work!