Being sad in front of and with other people can be scary. We may believe that we need to put on a happy face so as not to burden the people around us. Or, we may feel that we need to hide something shameful about ourselves, parts of us that we may deem weak. Yet, the truth may be that to show these parts of ourselves to others takes incredible strength and courage, and may well be met with love and compassion and belonging. What helps you show your sadness to others? What helps you receive love when you feel sad?
[image description: Two large hearts face each other. The one on the left is crying and has a quizzical facial expression, and its heart is also crying and has a shocked facial expression. The on the right is smiling pleasantly at the crying heart, and the smiling heart's heart is also smiling and sending hearts to the crying heart's heart. Text reads: "Your sadness is lovable. 17 OCTOBER 2020"]
 | Throughout the pandemic, I have posted messages on my Facebook wall that I needed to hear myself or that I imagined others may be needing to hear. Again and again, these messages spurred collective online processing of a range of challenges and lows and bright spots of living through the pandemic. This series of cartoons is intended to reflect on and illustrate some of the process of dealing with life by leaning into the intersection of technology and community. |
[image description: Screenshot of a Facebook status that reads: "Your sadness is lovable." A comment responds: "That feels very comforting to know because I have so much sadness right now." Anna responds: "Love you." They write back: "Love you too! And all you do to offer love, comfort, support, and inspiration!" One more comment reads: "My sadness walks in the light that my cuteness casts. We live in circles of ourself."]
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