I made this last year, so these suggestions can be modified to accommodate social-distancing in the age of coronavirus. But I wanted to make it available for folks as a download! A simple homemade zine / coloring book on the topic of asking your loved ones for emotional support. Eight colorable line drawings alongside concrete advice about requesting care and support.

. . .

* Coronavirus has brought into mainstream consciousness what ill and Disabled folks and anyone on the margins has known all along ~ we need to support each other. In an effort to restructure how I do business, I’d want to offer more and more of my work for free to support folks who may not be able to pay for these little luxuries. That said, for my those in my networks who can support me, your doing so helps me keep creating! Hooray! Right now a great way to do that is over on Patreon. Wishing love, care, and support to all.

Specs

• File is 528 KB 

• 504x612 per page 

• 9 page PDF 

Download Details

Immediately available for download. Once you “purchase” you will receive a download link that lasts for 24 hours. Please note that this platform (Squarespace) does not require card info but does require an address even for free downloads. To bypass this step, feel free to contact me directly and request a PDF, I’ll be glad to send you one! 

Accessibility is super important to me, and I *love* offering my work for free or sliding scale whenever possible! I am so grateful for the community support I receive in order to be able to do so. If you’re able and interested in supporting my work financially, feel free to check out my Patreon!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION

[My hand holds open my zine. On the left page is a light gray-lined box toward the top, with the text:

“I’ve noticed that specificity helps both people involved in an ask! It also helps to actually say that you’re going through a rough patch and are requesting care and support. Here are some examples that may help you think about what to ask for.”

Under this is a drawing of three mushrooms, the center being the largest and showing off its gills, and the bottom two smaller on either side of the larger mushroom. There is a light pink circle behind the mushrooms. Under the mushrooms is the text:

“*Can I have a hug?

*Could you sit with me for a few minutes?

*Can I text you when I’ve done x dreaded task?

*Will you check in with me later today/this week about x dreaded task?”

The right page is lavender purple with a white border, and a drawing of two connected California poppies under the text:

“*Can you keep me company while I work on x dreaded task? Or, can you be around doing your own thing but here if I need help? Or, can you do it with me?

*Can I talk to you about x and will you just listen? Or, ask me questions? Or, share your opinion or advice? 

*Will you help me do something joyful, get outside, find a healthy distraction from x at some time soon? 

*Can we share a meal this week?

*I’m having a hard time being kind to myself—could you remind me of some things you love about me?”.]