COOL CATS QUIT COLD TURKEY - A ZINE

This is a project I started working on after I quit smoking in March of 2024. I had been self-medicating with nicotine during a truly difficult time in my life, and though I had attempted to quit many times before, this time felt different to me. As I was gritting my teeth and shaking through my extreme withdrawal symptoms, I finally confronted the self-hatred and hopelessness that formed the basis for why I started smoking in the first place. As the days went on I drew more pages, processing my emotions with each panel, until I realized that I was ready to move forward with my life. I completed the comic, and though it is intensely personal to me, I decided to share it in hopes of reaching those who might also be struggling with the shame, hopelessness, and internal isolation that accompanies addiction, hoping that they might feel understood and know they are not alone. Each response I received made me realize that my desire to reach people with my art far outweighs my fear of vulnerability and my self-consciousness. This is, to date, the work I am most proud of.

If you would like to read more of my thoughts on this project, you can find a post here on my Substack.

Medium: Pencil and ink on paper.