I'd like to hop in and say that after my long work day I was delighted to come home to such positive messages. I would also like to extend my reverence to the men in this feed who didn't feel the need to argue, or take it personally. That space you have left with your thoughtfulness is such a wonderful, tender place. Like I said. You have the power, keep using it for the good.
Neko! I have missed your voice, which is in NO WAY intended to evoke guilt.
Thank you for the update and vulnerability on the meds front. 100% with you on every statement, especially the orange asswipe and all things related to women’s rights and equality. How are we still having these conversations?!
I am so delighted that you’re recording your book. My husband ordered an autographed copy for my birthday last month, which I so appreciate. However, my post-menopausal brain no longer allows me to actually read books. I will treasure both versions. ♥️
Reading this finally brought up the sobs I've been holding in my chest all week. The election. The feeling of hurt, anger and doom like a very unfriendly beast towering over while I curl around a glowing ember of optimism, protective yet so fucking sad. Thank you. And thank you for talking about the meds, the depression, the hormones....menopause is messing with me so much and between all the stupid algorithm ads of women selling ab-flattening snake oil to women I'm DONE. Well. Not done trying but my temper is on a thread bare leash. And thank you for shouting down the patriarchy and the men just standing there twiddling their thumbs while women suffer.
Glad to know you aren't giving up, are grateful, are fighting. Brings relief in relating. Love from Canada.
Same. It could just be the brain imbalance due to my own chemical journey, but this brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for your rage and your joy and your sadness Neko. 🙏🏻
Neko, we invested in a small hot tub and sauna with built in light therapy and that combination has been magical for helping with my wifes depression and menopausal issues. Just a suggestion but its been pretty amazing to see how effective it has been and no meds are involved. The other aspect is it may help associate your home with a real positive feeling.
I am a longtime political observer and Harris is a strong favorite to win now based on actual voting patterns. Ignore polls. Ignore the media. They make $$$ creating the illusion that its super close. It will be just the opposite. Kamala may have a bigger margin than Obama based on whats actually happening BEFORE the rumored release this week of proof that Trumps assasination attempt was actually staged. If that comes out it will be the Blue-est of Blue Waves.
We are the same age and some days I feel like the most powerful me I’ve ever been and other days I feel like I’m a foreigner in a body that aged 20 years in 5. I’m so tired of it all. But! The Age of Aquarius is upon us and I’m hopeful the past 16 years of difficulty and growth (blah, blah) can be put behind us and we can enjoy a new dawn in all areas of our lives beginning in November.
Thanks for all of this, and thank goodness for the Ahmeds of the world. Isn’t it amazing how short, unexpected moments with strangers can have such an impact on us? It’s one of the things I love most about traveling anywhere. Every place I’ve ended up, I could tell you about one perfect stranger who absolutely made my day and who I will always remember. You probably made Ahmed’s day too.
I'm in peri-menapausal misery. I suffer from seasonal depression. I gave gained 30 pounds that aren't good for me, and my numbers are suffering for it. My general Practitioner (who is a woman in our age range) was so dismissive when I brought all if this up. I don't like my gyno - she is cold and uninterested as well. I'm in greater Boston, the best medical professionals in the world are here, and I can't get what I need. I'm trying to find the energy to fight for it, but damn it's so fucking hard.
My anxiety about the election sure as hell isn't helping.
Seeing you perform did. Live music always helps. Thank the Lord I don't believe on for music. It's the thing in this world that's always there for me.
Your words help too. It's always helpful to see someone handling these similar issues and making it work. Maybe I can too.
Oh, damn, I feel for you. It's so horrible when, on top of all of it, you have to contend with docs who don't really want to perceive the person in the patient. ❤️🩹
Oh. Wow. So much truth and pain in this. I had to read this out loud. With my life long depression and menopausal bullshit symptoms, I feel so emotional all the time. Thank you for being the most fucking authentic person that I absolutely love but have never actually spoken to yet.
And the Columbus show was amazing. My bestie Carrie and I just kept saying we need you to be friends with us. You are so absolutely adored.
I'm so glad you ended the show with "Hold On" . I cried and purged a little as you sang it.
Straight man here 100% with you and working to help win Michigan. Crazy that our system comes down to a few thousand votes in 5-6 states, but we are going to keep the Mitten Blue. Loved seeing you in Grand Rapids, you and the band were kick-ass amazing. Thank you. I am filled with gratitude for your art and your hard work, Neko.
Try not to feel any kind of way about meds. We’re lucky to live in an era where we can get them instead of just suffering (more). Sometimes things change and you won’t have a need for them. But—I started taking something that is helping me recover from 30 years of debilitating eating disorders (and attendant depression and anxiety). I am independent to a fault also but if it helps me move toward happiness and freedom that I never thought possible, hard to judge myself for embracing that
Loving you all after reading this beautiful and very important post. Neko, thank you for sharing Umm’s music and your caring vulnerability. Mental health care has risen to crisis state for us human beings. Thank you for your music and the reminder of how music, art and food bring us all together in joy and love!
Thank you for checking in Neko, was wondering how you were doing. Love the cab story and can’t wait for the audio version of your book, too! Listening to authors read me their own books is my favorite thing on my walks. Hope PDX is kind to you when you return. ♥️
You are so generous with yourself! It’s hard to express enough gratitude to you. You inspire me to keep on going with the creative stuff that pops into my head, in spite of the fact that time and youth are whirling past me, and the hope of these ideas ever developing into anything of substance is unrealistic. Treating that thought as intrusive and undeserving of my attention, I’ll just put on one of your records and sing along. That always makes me feel better! I cannot wait to read/listen to your book!
About the cruelty amd nihilism -- its all over the news, of course, but we just re-watched the "Deer Lady" episode of Reservation Dogs. Which is harrowing, and which always makes me furious at the fundamental cruelty and dehumanization in our culture. But even with that, the nihilism seems like a stupid way out. Political cynicism is so pointless and frustrating. <boy, I'm full of fun tonight.>
Thank you for your post Neko. I am always thankful when people are willing to speak of their experience with clinical depression and the importance that medication can play in potentially saving your life. At seventy two years old, I severely suffered the nightmare of depression on and off during my lifetime, particularly in my mid twenties and again in my forties. For me a loving support system, medical intervention and ultimately, sobriety, proved to be my best therapies. However, I know that I am never cured from addiction nor the potential return of depression. I don't know how some potential future trauma may affect my state of well being and realize there are ways for me to deal with depression that could again require medical intervention. Keep up the good fight!
I'd like to hop in and say that after my long work day I was delighted to come home to such positive messages. I would also like to extend my reverence to the men in this feed who didn't feel the need to argue, or take it personally. That space you have left with your thoughtfulness is such a wonderful, tender place. Like I said. You have the power, keep using it for the good.
Neko! I have missed your voice, which is in NO WAY intended to evoke guilt.
Thank you for the update and vulnerability on the meds front. 100% with you on every statement, especially the orange asswipe and all things related to women’s rights and equality. How are we still having these conversations?!
I am so delighted that you’re recording your book. My husband ordered an autographed copy for my birthday last month, which I so appreciate. However, my post-menopausal brain no longer allows me to actually read books. I will treasure both versions. ♥️
Audiobooks are real lifesavers!
Reading this finally brought up the sobs I've been holding in my chest all week. The election. The feeling of hurt, anger and doom like a very unfriendly beast towering over while I curl around a glowing ember of optimism, protective yet so fucking sad. Thank you. And thank you for talking about the meds, the depression, the hormones....menopause is messing with me so much and between all the stupid algorithm ads of women selling ab-flattening snake oil to women I'm DONE. Well. Not done trying but my temper is on a thread bare leash. And thank you for shouting down the patriarchy and the men just standing there twiddling their thumbs while women suffer.
Glad to know you aren't giving up, are grateful, are fighting. Brings relief in relating. Love from Canada.
Same. It could just be the brain imbalance due to my own chemical journey, but this brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for your rage and your joy and your sadness Neko. 🙏🏻
Neko, we invested in a small hot tub and sauna with built in light therapy and that combination has been magical for helping with my wifes depression and menopausal issues. Just a suggestion but its been pretty amazing to see how effective it has been and no meds are involved. The other aspect is it may help associate your home with a real positive feeling.
I am a longtime political observer and Harris is a strong favorite to win now based on actual voting patterns. Ignore polls. Ignore the media. They make $$$ creating the illusion that its super close. It will be just the opposite. Kamala may have a bigger margin than Obama based on whats actually happening BEFORE the rumored release this week of proof that Trumps assasination attempt was actually staged. If that comes out it will be the Blue-est of Blue Waves.
Thank you for the positive feedback :)
We are the same age and some days I feel like the most powerful me I’ve ever been and other days I feel like I’m a foreigner in a body that aged 20 years in 5. I’m so tired of it all. But! The Age of Aquarius is upon us and I’m hopeful the past 16 years of difficulty and growth (blah, blah) can be put behind us and we can enjoy a new dawn in all areas of our lives beginning in November.
Yes ma'am! I'm 53, and I feel much the same way. On everything you said, I should clarify!
Thanks for all of this, and thank goodness for the Ahmeds of the world. Isn’t it amazing how short, unexpected moments with strangers can have such an impact on us? It’s one of the things I love most about traveling anywhere. Every place I’ve ended up, I could tell you about one perfect stranger who absolutely made my day and who I will always remember. You probably made Ahmed’s day too.
I'm in peri-menapausal misery. I suffer from seasonal depression. I gave gained 30 pounds that aren't good for me, and my numbers are suffering for it. My general Practitioner (who is a woman in our age range) was so dismissive when I brought all if this up. I don't like my gyno - she is cold and uninterested as well. I'm in greater Boston, the best medical professionals in the world are here, and I can't get what I need. I'm trying to find the energy to fight for it, but damn it's so fucking hard.
My anxiety about the election sure as hell isn't helping.
Seeing you perform did. Live music always helps. Thank the Lord I don't believe on for music. It's the thing in this world that's always there for me.
Your words help too. It's always helpful to see someone handling these similar issues and making it work. Maybe I can too.
Oh, damn, I feel for you. It's so horrible when, on top of all of it, you have to contend with docs who don't really want to perceive the person in the patient. ❤️🩹
Oh. Wow. So much truth and pain in this. I had to read this out loud. With my life long depression and menopausal bullshit symptoms, I feel so emotional all the time. Thank you for being the most fucking authentic person that I absolutely love but have never actually spoken to yet.
And the Columbus show was amazing. My bestie Carrie and I just kept saying we need you to be friends with us. You are so absolutely adored.
I'm so glad you ended the show with "Hold On" . I cried and purged a little as you sang it.
Straight man here 100% with you and working to help win Michigan. Crazy that our system comes down to a few thousand votes in 5-6 states, but we are going to keep the Mitten Blue. Loved seeing you in Grand Rapids, you and the band were kick-ass amazing. Thank you. I am filled with gratitude for your art and your hard work, Neko.
❤️
Try not to feel any kind of way about meds. We’re lucky to live in an era where we can get them instead of just suffering (more). Sometimes things change and you won’t have a need for them. But—I started taking something that is helping me recover from 30 years of debilitating eating disorders (and attendant depression and anxiety). I am independent to a fault also but if it helps me move toward happiness and freedom that I never thought possible, hard to judge myself for embracing that
Loving you all after reading this beautiful and very important post. Neko, thank you for sharing Umm’s music and your caring vulnerability. Mental health care has risen to crisis state for us human beings. Thank you for your music and the reminder of how music, art and food bring us all together in joy and love!
Thank you for checking in Neko, was wondering how you were doing. Love the cab story and can’t wait for the audio version of your book, too! Listening to authors read me their own books is my favorite thing on my walks. Hope PDX is kind to you when you return. ♥️
You are so generous with yourself! It’s hard to express enough gratitude to you. You inspire me to keep on going with the creative stuff that pops into my head, in spite of the fact that time and youth are whirling past me, and the hope of these ideas ever developing into anything of substance is unrealistic. Treating that thought as intrusive and undeserving of my attention, I’ll just put on one of your records and sing along. That always makes me feel better! I cannot wait to read/listen to your book!
12.55 am Adelaide time, but also Neko time. So many times when folks we care about are struggling we struggle with how to express ourselves.
Well the bats outside seem to be ok chattering away, so in a poor rhyme I'll say, I'm so relieved that you are ok sort of.
I just wanted to let you know you are so loved and cared for by the Stack community.
Now it really is time to hit the hay, and long may the Egyptian cabbie play tunes to sympathetic souls in need.
Take care.
You gave me just what I needed 🫂
to HEAR Umm 🌌🤟🏻
About the cruelty amd nihilism -- its all over the news, of course, but we just re-watched the "Deer Lady" episode of Reservation Dogs. Which is harrowing, and which always makes me furious at the fundamental cruelty and dehumanization in our culture. But even with that, the nihilism seems like a stupid way out. Political cynicism is so pointless and frustrating. <boy, I'm full of fun tonight.>
Thank you for your post Neko. I am always thankful when people are willing to speak of their experience with clinical depression and the importance that medication can play in potentially saving your life. At seventy two years old, I severely suffered the nightmare of depression on and off during my lifetime, particularly in my mid twenties and again in my forties. For me a loving support system, medical intervention and ultimately, sobriety, proved to be my best therapies. However, I know that I am never cured from addiction nor the potential return of depression. I don't know how some potential future trauma may affect my state of well being and realize there are ways for me to deal with depression that could again require medical intervention. Keep up the good fight!