Two.unseen.warriors

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Two.unseen.warriors

Two best friends wanting to educate and raise awareness for invisible illnesses. Sharing our journey, and learning to draw one comic at a time.

27/12/2024

Already ONE YEAR of Two Unseen Warriors!

It started as a little joke and here we are now, publishing weekly comics and supporting an amazing community that we've built week after week.

We both faced big challenges this year, but we're so proud that no matter what our comic was released every Friday. We often had to take turns to manage our schedule and drawings, as one or the other was often dealing with the difficulties of life with a chronic illness.

We LOVE hearing from you in the comments or in private messages and help you feel supported in your journey.
We're ready for another year! What would you like us to talk about? Let us know in the comments!

We are beyond excited and grateful for each and every one of you. We look forward to continuing this journey together. We love you! Tag your besties to let them feel our support too

20/12/2024

'What if?' is such a dangerous question that can stop us from going on many journeys.

Char decided to do something wild this year. She calls it her Leap Before Looking year. She decided that if something scared her and the only reason she wasn't doing it was because of the what ifs (What if I fail? What if I make a fool of myself? What if everyone hates me?) then she was going to do it anyway. So, she's gotten up on stage 4 times this year to give talks, she's joined random activities just to see what they were about. She's doing a lot of things just because she didn't let the what ifs stop her?

Nire is jumping feet first into many new things this year as well. She did a solo burlesque show for the first time in front of an audience to talk about baby loss. She started livestreaming her art on Twitch. She opened her very own online shop on Etsy. She applied for a dance instructor position. And every single time, her inner voice was freaking out. What if I fail? What if people make fun of me? What if people think I'm not good enough? What if I don't sell anything at all? But, she did it anyway.

There are limits, sometimes the what if questions keep us safe. But not when they boil down to using this what if question to stay exactly where we are.

Both of us picked up a pencil and said what if I tried learning how to draw? Look at us now. We then said what if we created an online comic to educate, create awareness and build a chronic illness community around?

Sometimes, it's worth taking the leap even if it scares you.
After all, courage is being scared but doing it anyway.
What's a fear you overcame this year? Share it with us in the comment!

13/12/2024

Burn out can be very sneaky and unhealthy. You take on more work or tasks to do, feeling like you should be able to manage. But we all have limits! And if we're not careful it's easy to cross them.

When that happens it's quite terrible. You feel exhausted, mentally and physically, and every single task feels impossible. You might become resentful, angry, sad, or sometimes numb.

This also leaves a feeling of disappointment towards ourselves, as if we're not capable enough to do simple tasks. The thing is, no matter how easy the tasks are and how good you are at managing your time, if you overburden yourself and doesn't leave room for rest, you will burn out.

When the feeling of burn out creeps up, it's a good idea to take time to sit down and just write down on a piece of paper all the things you have to do. Then work out priorities. Some things could wait or are not vital. So they can wait! Focus on the important ones only to start with.

Make sure you allow time for you to rest up and recover! It's not an overnight fix. You need some time to rest and unwind every day, to recharge your batteries. That will help you be more efficient and happier

06/12/2024

Seeing people struggle feels almost impossible to ignore when you're naturally a nurturer. You feel their pain so strongly that you take on their burdens just to help them feel better. But after a while, it hits—you’re totally drained, and you don't understand why. You just did the loving thing to help out.

Learning to support people without carrying their struggles can feel selfish at first. If you’re used to handling a lot, what’s one more thing, right? But the reality is, that constantly putting others first leaves us wiped out. Even if it feels worth it to see their relief, it’s still taking a toll.

Sometimes, helping doesn’t mean lifting them up entirely; it means letting them stumble and grow stronger through it. Just like they say on a plane—put your own oxygen mask on first. You’re as important as anyone else, and taking care of yourself means you’ll have more to give when it’s truly needed. You can be there to help them stand up and dust them off, but letting them learn the lesson is perhaps the kindest and most loving thing you can do for them.

29/11/2024

As chronically ill people, we're basically ALWAYS sick. And while living in a society made for healthy people, sometimes we have to "mask" our symptoms and pretend we're okay.

This is often to avoid unsollicited advice from people who don't know our conditions, or mean comments on how "we don't look in pain/tired/grieving/etc" or how we "exaggerate".

Society doesn't like different so we hide. It can be hard for us to accept that we are, in fact, different.

Sometimes though, masking can bring some good, as it can trick our own brain into believing that we can enjoy our lives in spite of our illnesses. Even if it only works for a few minutes, it can bring some relief.

But it's also tiring, and you often realise only when you drop the mask. Not wearing the mask doesn't mean you're a sad and negative person. It just means that you can be you. You can say no to things freely. You can fall asleep on the couch because you're exhausted. You can lay down with a heatpack cause you're in pain. You can laugh out loud or cry, all while not feeling judged or misunderstood.

Society might be scared of ill people as we require a little extra care. That's why we created this comic, to try and show the world that even though we need help sometimes, we can still be a part of it. As we're used to live with our illness, we often know what we need and what to do. What we mostly want from society is to feel accepted as we are and not judged

22/11/2024

Often with invisible illnesses, you're very sick but people around you don't know that. So when someone asks something from you and you know that it'll be too much for you, guilt or shame sometimes take over.

And that's where you become a people pleaser. You say yes to invitations, you commit to help someone out, you go beyond your abilities to make others happy.

While it can be seen as being selfless and generous, it's actually being mean to yourself. If you don't have the energy, the mental space or the physical ability to do something, then you should listen to your body.

Yes sometimes it's necessary to put someone else first. We all do at times, and that's kind to your loved ones when they really need it. But it can't be all the time.

It's important to have self-respect and self-love, and to rest up when you need to.

Think about it this way: if your best friend had your symptoms, what would you tell them if they were not taking care of themselves? Would you be mad if they couldn't help you while being sick?

The people who love you, your people, will understand. They'll know it's not about them and that you need to heal.
Show yourself the love you show others. You deserve it

15/11/2024

Having depression can feel like you're wearing these dark glasses that make everything seem dull and grey. Sometimes you might even be aware that you're seeing through these glasses, but it can be hard to change that.

Because once you see through these, your brain thinks it's reality. You sometimes don't believe things can look any different. And down you go into a dark spiral of negative thinking, believing there's nothing worth doing or that nobody can help.

It takes a huge amount of courage and strength to ask for help despite thinking that way. You may even do it against your own will, or not believing in it. And that's okay! What matters is that you do ask for help and support. It can take some time to get to that point.

If you're not ready yet, that's okay too. Maybe let someone know that you're not okay, but that you're not ready to seek help yet. That alone will help you carry the burden depression puts on your shoulders. And when you're ready, get that help you need. It's the best thing you can do for yourself.

You'll get to see that you can take these grey glasses on, and even one day switch them to pink ones! Or whichever colour rocks your boat.

We know it's hard. Don't give up. Give yourself small goals every day: take a shower, or go for a walk for 5 minutes around the block, or make yourself you favourite cup of tea. One tiny step at a time, go through the days at your own pace. You've got this.

08/11/2024

No one enjoys going to the doctors or the hospital. But for some of us, it's become a real trauma.

For example, Nire unfortunately had to spend a lot of time in hospital, and for big and traumatising things, being poked and tested and told difficult medical words.

Because of her endometriosis and adenomyosis, she used to visit the emergency department often, sometimes several times as week, where she had to wait for an average of 10-12 hours before being seen. Waiting for that long when experiencing excruciating pain is not fun. Especially when all you're given in that time is paracetamol depsite you explaining that it won't help.

Other times she had to go was for her baby losses. Numerous visits to doctors' offices and nurses and hospitals, while her body was fighting so many symptoms and her heart was being ripped apart.

So now, when there's a need to be seen by a doctor or a need to visit the emergency department, Nire struggles a lot and sometimes will do everything she can to avoid going - which is obviously not the right thing to do.

Talking about it to a professional helps, and to a person you trust and who could even come with you to ease your worries and fears.

How do you deal with medical trauma? Do you have mental tools that help you overcome it when needed?

01/11/2024

Char was 12 when she first went to a doctor when her hot flushes started. It wasn't helpful when the doctor just laughed his arse off and said "You're too young for that."

When she was 25 she saw a new doctor, who listened and sent her for an ultrasound. She listened and didn't dismiss her. So, she found out about the first thing. Polycystic ovaries which come with insulin resistance. It was frustrating to know that someone could have helped her a decade before if they had just listened to the unusual symptoms instead of dismissing them.

It meant Char was dealing with hormonal imbalances that led to problems with acne, facial hair growth and weight gain. It also affects her vitamin D levels. Pretty much everything she has affects her vitamin D levels. So, she has an oil she takes once a month because she does not want to take a tablet every day to help with that.

She's fortunate now that she's had a fantastic doctor for over 2 decades. So things are never dismissed. How are things with your current GP? Do they know how to listen?

25/10/2024

“You don’t look sick!” Do people think this comment helps?

You can go sit somewhere with a lot of people and you would not be able to tell just by looking who was sick and who was healthy.

Invisible Illnesses are sneaky. They are called invisible because they can’t be seen. Nire is an amazing dancer who tells stories through her movements. (Char is writing this caption. Not Nire's ego, just in case you were wondering). You wouldn’t know that she is in pain, as she hides it so well. She made her choice: learn to live with the pain and function at a certain level or lay on the floor screaming because it's so bad.

So many people have learned to adapt to their high pain levels. A normal amount of pain is NO pain. It's not oh I'd say it's about a 5 today, (on a scale of 10). It's zero. But so many of us in the chronic illness community are not living in a world where our pain is at a 0.

When we've shown our pain and discomfort we've been told we are exaggerating. They haven't experienced pain like us so clearly we haven't either. That's why this community is so important. We don't judge, we know what you're going through. It's called an invisible illness for a reason.

18/10/2024

⚠️SENSITIVE POST: Mention of baby loss.⚠️
Losing a baby is so isolating. You go to the doctors thinking you're fine, and you come back home with so much grief and pain. Doctors give you a list of symptoms that you should experience, sometimes you have medication to take or procedures to go through. While you're processing your loss emotionally, you're told a lot of medical terms, some more confusing than others.

But it always ends up at some stage with you being at home, left confused and unsure about what to do next. Are your symptoms normal? Do you need to call someone or wait? Are you freaking out for no reason? Or do you really need assistance?

This is extremely isolating. While others, your friends, family, partners, can sometimes share and understand your grief, no one knows what you're experiencing physically. This is a personal experience, different to everyone. This means it's hard to explain, to describe, and you may feel like no one can help you go through it.

Know you're not alone. You're the one going through it, but so many of us have been through that personal and difficult path. We walk it in different ways, but we all know the pain of feeling alone on it. While it's true that others might not fully understand your experience, your loved ones can still just be there and hold your hand and show you that you can survive it.

If you're in crisis, please call Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 at any time of the day or night, or reach to a similar crisis line in your country.

Who's been here to support you in your hardest time? Tag them below to thank them

11/10/2024

⚠️SENSITIVE POST: Mention of baby loss.⚠️
The heartbreak of baby loss is tough for the mum... but also for the other parent. Sadly they're often forgotten. They're also losing a baby but they rarely get the support they need.

The mums of course go through an ordeal of physical and emotional pain. The fact that the other parents don't experience things physically doesn't mean they're not hurting emotionally. They also often bury their own grief to support the mums.

Although some mums are aware of that and try to help the other parents, it is very challenging. How can you care for someone while grieving and going through the hardest time of your life?

It's important to seek support outside of your relationship if you can. Friends, family, therapist, doctors... they can help take some pressure off your shoulders. You don't have to do it all alone.

If you're in crisis, please call Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 at any time of the day or night, or reach to a similar crisis line in your country.

Who's been here to support you in your hardest time? Tag them below to thank them

04/10/2024

⚠️SENSITIVE POST: Mention of baby loss.⚠️
Going through a baby loss is one of the most painful and confusing experience one can go through. Not only emotionally, but also physically.

When Nire went through it, her body still thought she was pregnant. She felt pregnant, and had common pregnancy symptoms for a while despite her diagnosis. This was particularly hard as it stopped her from starting her grieving process. How can you accept something in your mind if your body tells you otherwise?

Add in the cocktail of explosive hormones and the exhaustion and pain. She thought she was going crazy. Like, clinically insane. She was lucky to have an extremely supportive partner and Char around to hold her hand.

If you're going through this, we're so deeply sorry. We see you and you have every right to feel whatever you feel. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help, but you can do it.

If you're in crisis, please call Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 at any time of the day or night, or any similar crisis line in your country. Nobody should go through that alone.

Who's been here to support you in your hardest time? Tag them below to thank them

27/09/2024

It can be hard when you discover you have a chronic illness, when you realise that you cannot do the things you used to do without thinking.
Suddenly, just taking a shower is a win. Being able to brush your teeth may be the only thing you can manage that day. And, that's okay.

But, one trap most of us seem to fall into is "but the old me could..." It's time to stop comparing yourself to the old you. The old you wasn't dealing with the chronic illness the now you is.

For Char, it started when she went from walking her dog 5km 6 days a week to not having the energy to get out of bed. She had no idea why. It didn't make any sense. Sure, she'd had random bad days where it happened but not consistently.
Then she found out about her thyroid and the hashimotos. So, she got to add that to her diagnosis. They yeeted it out and she's now on meds for the rest of her life. She discussed with her doctor what she was meant to do in a zombie apocalypse and that lead to a hilarious conversation. She knows how lucky she is to have an amazing doctor who listens.

Nire found out about her endometriosis and adenomyosis when she was on the floor screaming and crying in pain.
From there, she learnt to live with daily pain and fatigue. She had to change her habits, her hobbies, her diet. She used to go surfing, skiing, hiking, eating all the foods, and feel great. Now she has to take things slow and to make smart choices to avoid triggering flare ups.

Nire and Char have been through so much together since they met at that awesome board game cafe. While they can't do some of the things their old selves did... they're also doing things that they wouldn't have done otherwise.
This comic is the best example!

So yes, we've changed, but... we're still awesome. And so are you!!

20/09/2024

The road to get a diagnosis can be so difficult. When it happens while you're away from your loved ones, your family and close friends, it's even more isolating and lonely.

Nire found out about her endometriosis and adenomyosis when she was living away from her home country. It was hard to deal with medical issues in a different language, in a different country, and without her family's support and hugs.

But Nire was also very lucky at that time, as Char came into her life. Char already knew about chronic illnesses, and she had been an expat before, which helped them connect on a deeper level.

They now consider each other as Family, with a capital F. They may not share blood, but they've been through so much together. They can rely on each other for anything small and big. Char likes to say Nire is her 'ride or die'.

So in the end, Nire wasn't alone anymore. She's met Char, but also her partner, and made more friends along the way. While she dearly misses her family from home, she's so grateful to have her local family around her here too.

Tag your 'found family' in the comments to let them know how great they are!

13/09/2024

Char and Nire decided a few years ago to send each other 3 things to be grateful for every single day, to help each other with improving mental health.

On some days, it's quite easy. When you've felt happy, met with your friends, received a present,...

One some other days, it's hard. Really really hard. When you've been in atrocious pain or in a lethargic state all day, when you've lost someone, or your job. Some days also plainly suck for no specific reason. And that's on these days that gratitude matters the most.

When Nire went through her baby loss, she still picked up her phone and sent Char 3 things to be grateful for. Even if it was the worst day of her life... she recognised that the nurse had been gentle. She also had food that day, and she was alive. She still found that little spark of light in that very dark day.

Once again that's a good reminder to spread kindness. It might sound like nothing, but a stranger giving a smile or a kind word can mean the world for someone having a tough day. It can make a huge difference and help someone survive just one more day.

That's one of the reasons Char is so grateful that empathy exists. She's seen first-hand how showing a small amount of empathy can improve someone's day instantly. You may not know exactly how they are feeling - but that doesn't mean that you don't have empathy for them.

What are you grateful for today? Let us know below. No matter how big or small it is, we want to hear about it!

06/09/2024

Brainfog can make you feel like you're going crazy. It can also make other people feel like you're being funny.

But, you're not either of those. When brainfog hits it's almost as if you were in a different world where nothing makes sense.

When Nire gets brainfog, she cannot understand what people tell her, even very simple things. It's like words lose all meaning and logic is not longer a thing. Sometimes it's funny and she can laugh about it. Sometimes it's frustrating. When her boss or colleagues talk about work tasks and she becomes completely lost, guilt and shame also arise.

Something that helped her was to talk about it and explain clearly to people around her what it's like and that she just needs a moment to feel like herself again.

On some days Char and Nire have full conversations despite both being in the fog, and while making no sense at all they get each other 😂

What helps you go through brainfoggy days?

30/08/2024

Sometimes you just have to laugh. There were times when Char would have cursed herself for going through something like this. She decided this year no more negative self talk. It's made a huge difference.

But, what she did after she went to the sock drawer, closed it and then went oh yeah I need socks and went back to it to get the socks... she sat down laughing and messaged Nire. They agreed there was a comic in that.

It can be hard to have a positive attitude sometimes when you can't get out of bed for several days. When the pain is so unbearable but you know there's no point in going to the hospital as you'll just be dismissed maybe with paracetamol if you are lucky. We are so happy for those people who won't ever know what it's like to be on this side of the battle. I just wish we had more of our side over there fighting with us.

We are so glad we found each other and know we can share these silly stories with who will laugh with us. Yeah, it's silly, but this is what we are working with now. This is who we are. If you can find one thing to laugh at it will brighten your day.

Here's one for the road:

I told my wife I was going to build us a car out of spaghetti. She said I was crazy and to stop making stupid comments. You should have seen her face when I drove pasta.

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Thank you so much to our amazing community! From the excitement we felt at 50 followers to now hitting 500, it’s surreal. We started this comic hoping to help at least one person, and now we’re connecting with so many of you. We are beyond excited and grateful for each and every one of you. We look forward to continuing this journey together. We love you! #secretspoonielife #twounseenwarriors #invisibleillness #artistofinstagram #chronicpain #chronicfatigue #chronicillness #womenshealth

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” – Louisa May Alcott, Little Women We started this journey at the beginning of the year with no idea of where this comic would take us. We just wanted to make a safe place that would help us educate and raise awareness for chronic illness. Sometimes awful things happen and we have to learn how to navigate them. We don't think anyone with a chronic illness would actually choose this life. "Must be nice to lay in bed all day." we hear from unsupportive people sometimes. No, it's not. Sometimes we're in so much pain it's almost unbearable. But, we learn to steer ourselves through the storm. Sometimes we are so exhausted that a normal person would need to stay up for a week straight to understand what we are dealing with. Char and Nire are navigating the waters of this comic together. We're so glad you've joined us on this journey into uncharted waters. There's plenty of room on this Two Unseen Warriors ship. You will always be welcome here. 'The Great Sea' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au #headache #endowarrior #chronicillness #artistofinstagram #mentalhealth #endoawareness #cutedrawing #selftaughtartist #twounseenwarriors #overwhelm #womenshealth #chronicpain #invisibleillness #pelvicpain #adenomyosis #lipoedema #lipedema #illness #adhd #comic #anxiety #depression #ocd #awareness #chronicillnessawareness #sketchingart #brainfog #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthsupport

We are so proud of the accomplishments we've made this year. Last year, we decided to start a comic about chronic illness despite neither of us feeling confident as artists. We thought we have something to say let's give it a try. Look at us now 7 months in. Char has released a game about Chronic illness (link in bio) and Nire performed a solo burlesque show. Char is just one subject away from finishing her digital media degree. Nire is streaming again. We're looking at avenues where we can have fulfilling careers despite our illnesses. Sometimes it's hard to think I just need to try because those voices say 'What if you fail?' But, we say 'What if you succeed?' Even if it doesn't work out the way you planned you will learn something along the way. Like how difficult it is to draw a chameleon face on. We are proud of each of you because we know even if you're scared. You have it in you to try. 'Clarion' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

This quote struck us pretty hard as we've had some struggles over the past couple of years. Sometimes you can't even crawl but you can message your best friend to say I am not doing okay. Or post in one of your communities to ask for support. Sometimes it's as simple as giving yourself permission to fall apart. Sometimes it is what you really need. A good cry does not make you weak. It can actually help to make you stronger. We used to run before we got our illnesses, and then had to slow to a walk and sometimes we need to crawl. It's been a long hard journey to get to acceptance. Every day is different. Sometimes we still think we can fly - like the other day when we realised we had hit 250 followers. Thank you so much! We often get told to have a positive attitude and that will help. It does to an extent... but it's not a cure any more than yoga is. Sometimes we need to give ourselves the permission to grieve who we were before so we can accept who we are now. We are not broken, we are just chronically ill. Our energy and pain-free days may be few - but our empathy is one of our strongest gifts. We see someone crawling and we don't judge them. We give them an encouraging smile and let them know they are not alone. We are a strong community and that is something we will always cherish. 'Affirmations' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au #headache #endowarrior #chronicillness #artistofinstagram #mentalhealth #endoawareness #cutedrawing #selftaughtartist #twounseenwarriors #overwhelm #womenshealth #chronicpain #invisibleillness #pelvicpain #adenomyosis #lipoedema #lipedema #illness #adhd #comic #anxiety #depression #ocd #awareness #bruxism #chronicillnessawareness #sketchingart #brainfog #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthsupport

We all know when you're dealing with chronic illness there is no one version of normal. Some of us are high functioning, some of us are not. Some of us are in constant pain but so good at masking it no one realises it. We always hear don't compare yourself to others. But, comparing yourself to where you were or where you wish you could be can also take a toll on your mental health. You are where you are now. Things may change in the future for better or worse. But, you are here now and this is your normal. Celebrate the wins. Did you get out of bed today? Have a shower? Read a book? Connect with a friend? Meditate? Do Yoga? Walk the dog? Have a nap? Some of these things are so hard to do with limited energy and pain. Celebrate the small wins because even those small wins can be huge. Char and Nire send each other 3 gratitudes a day. What would yours be today? For Char it's: 1. We started this comic together and have found this wonderful and supportive community. 2. We've been doing our gratitudes for about 3 years now on a daily basis. 3. Our friendship. You never tell me no to all my crazy ideas. Just suggest that I calm down a bit and stop trying to load us up with too many projects at once. Nire's: 1. I might feel lonely some days, but I always know that I have family who loves me. Including Char ❤ 2. Chronic illness sucks, but I'm lucky enough to be able to still do some things I love. 3. I have art as an outlet to process difficult feelings. "Quirky Dog" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

'You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have' - Bob Marley It really sucks to fight one or several chronic illnesses everyday. There are things healthy people can do that we cannot do. There are other things that should be easy, and yet they're a difficult mission for us. And this is a daily struggle. It sucks and makes us strong at the same time. Going along with a normal day despite the pain, the exhaustion, the brainfog, the grief of the normal life we can't have, the loneliness... that takes courage. That takes strength. It's either that or stay in bed all day. Some days we need to do that. And some other days we find that strength we didn't know we had, and choose to live. Strength has a different meaning for different people. It can be having a shower. It can be having a difficult conversation. It can be asking for a payrise. It can be choosing a healthy meal over fast-food. You're strong and beautiful, we accept you and we are proud of your achievements. We hope you are too <3 . . . . 'Rites of Passage' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au #endometriosis #endowarrior #chronicillness #artistofinstagram #mentalhealth #endoawareness #cutedrawing #learntodraw #selftaughtartist #twounseenwarriors #overwhelm #endoaustralia #womenshealth #chronicpain #endobelly #periodcramps #invisibleillness #pelvicpain #adenomyosis #uterus #flareup #haveyoutriedyoga #exhaustion #mentalillness #anxiety #depression #hashimotos #pcos #diabetes

This comic started with a single step that both of us took one night. There was a local games shop holding rpg nights, and we both decided to go despite the anxiety. It was here that we met and became the best of friends as we kept going back. We've been on so many adventures together since then. This comic is one of the biggest. We talked about it last year and slowly realised it was something we did want to do together, not just a haha wouldn't it be great if we could? Community is such an important part of this journey. It is amazing to be able to talk to someone and not have to try to explain why for anything. So, we want to thank you for being a part of this community. We cherish every single one of you. What are you thinking about taking a first step into? Let us know so we can cheer you on. 'Wayfarer' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au #firststep #illness #warrior #adhd #comic #artistofinstagram #anxiety #depression #mentalhealth #awareness #chronicillnessawareness #InvisibleIllness #learntodraw #sketchingart #cutedrawing #selftaughtartist #twounseenwarriors

One of the most amazing things you can offer someone is your support. Not advice. Just support. There’s something magical about a friendship where someone can just listen and not jump to find a solution. We don’t need a fix, and there is no magical one. We just need support. One thing we agree on wholeheartedly is there needs to be more support out there for those of us with invisible illnesses. One of the most comforting things about our friendship is we don’t need to try to explain what’s going on. We can just say ‘brain fog!’ and the other one knows we’re gonna be a little slower that day. There’s no judgment from either side. We want this community to be a safe place for you too. Let us know what you’re dealing with. Who knows? You might find yourself a new friend in the comment section. #illness #warrior #comic #artistofinstagram #depression #ocd #mentalhealth #awareness #chronicillnessawareness #InvisibleIllness #learntodraw #sketchingart #cutedrawing #selftaughtartist #twoinvisiblewarriors #brainfog #overwhelm