Maybe Forever

C'mon in! It's a comic about self-isolation!

My love of summer usually overrides my social anxiety, but as soon as the colder weather hits…I’m staying indoors (or, according to this comic, in the woods?). Plus, I’m about to start hyperfocusing on coloring my graphic novel, which happens to be the perfect excuse to avoid any and all social interaction.

However, the below methods have successfully gotten me to leave my apartment:

• Schedule a workout class that will charge me $16 if I cancel

• Go get a matcha from a coffee shop that’s a 12 minute walk away (so that’s a total of 24 minutes outside!)

Aaaaand that’s it. What’s unfortunate is that both of those methods cost me money every time I step out the door. If you have any tips for convincing a budding agoraphobic person to go outside, I’m all ears!

Just For Fun

What I’m listening to: Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen
Bruce and I were born in the same hospital, 43 years apart. It’s my personal goal to learn all the words to this song by next summer. I can’t memorize anything ever, so this has proven to be a challenge so far, but I sing these lyrics with conviction every time: “Show a little faith, there's magic in the night. You ain't a beauty, but hey, you're alright.”

What I’m reading: I just finished All My Bests by Britnee Meiser (which comes out November 12 from Simon & Schuster/Aladdin). It’s an upper middle grade romance told through playlists and memories follows two teens struggling to hold onto each other as their friendship changes. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m not kidding. I would’ve lost my mind reading this as a 14-year-old. I’ll be in conversation with Britnee for the All My Bests book launch event in Brooklyn in November! More info to come :)

What I’m watching: My husband and I are committed to watching The O.C. from start to finish. I have always loved Seth Cohen and I always will.