bossyfemme

I am reading this during a time when I don't feel especially depressed. & I suspect that I'd react differently to this book if it was reaching me during a more acute time of feeling down. Lots of the advice here is "fight back!" and for me, that's the thing I feel like I cannot do when I am Motherfucking Sad. The fighting feeling is usually one of the first signs of recovery, but I can't always access it.

I'm going to type out the things that stood out for me that I'd like to consider more, and then probably pass this one on to someone who is in one of those moments where some solidarity is really beneficial. That said here's my take:

Half of this zine is about fighting depression & half is about "living free" (of bosses, capitalism, & the internet). I take it that the latter are intrinsic to Gnade's own happiness, but for me, these things aren't connected. Or at least, I don't believe that being your own boss/getting really into DIY everything is the one decision you can make that will fix the problems of capitalism for most people. And also I love the internet!

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Here's what I'll continue to mull over:

"I'm not sure home will ever be home until all the people I love are there. Of course that's impossible, and if you dwell on it, the longing will drive you crazy."

"Be kind even if they aren't. Not everyone alive has survived childhood."

"Read more than you drink."

"If you're not grappling with self-doubt half the time, you've probably lost perspective. The confident ones give us the worst and most lifeless bullshit."

"Having bad heroes is like having bad parents...what if they've given you nothing but style and (romantic) nihilism?"

"You're as strong and as ready as you want."