In this part of Canada, summers are fleeting, passing by as quickly as a breeze. Canadians cherish the season, squeezing every drop of warmth out of the brief time it offers. I know I should be doing the same—soaking up the sun, walking barefoot through the grass, reading in the shade, or exploring the forest for those perfect photo opportunities. The wilds have always been my sanctuary, a place where I can shed all expectations and simply be myself.

However, I am finding myself unable to escape the weight of everything pressing down on me, and instead I am simply watching as the season slips away.

While I’ve been open about my battle with chronic illness, what I haven’t shared is that the constant pain and overwhelming fatigue has left me unemployed and in debt. I am living with family so I am not at all in any immediate danger of sleeping on the streets, so please don’t panic. I have a roof over my head, and I am grateful for that.

When I consider my life now, it is hard for me to rationalize with the fact that just five years ago, I was working three jobs, running marathons, biking over an hour to work, writing daily, and traveling. It is hard to let that person go, and just focus on the me I am now.

So, to those out there struggling to enjoy the warmth of summer, please know you are not alone. I am getting professional help now, and if you need help and are able to, please seek it too. Humans are community-driven creatures, so sometimes we are not able to remove what is weighing us down ourselves. Instead, sometimes we need help from people to lift those weights; even if all they can do is remove the slightest amount of pressure.

I hope the photographs I shared brings you all at least a little joy.

Story Progress

There are direct correlations between stress and creativity, so it likely won’t surprise you all that I haven’t been writing at all. I have, however, been drawing my characters and world-building details occasionally. These are all for the story I am working on called Where They Lurk.