In some ways I hate being able to relate :(

I understand what you mean, I don't know if my words will help.

I did ask someone for help and they kinda got scared and told me I had to do it myself, that really hurt. In some ways it was intended to make me stronger, idk if it worked, but I'm still here. Now they are having problems and I am here for them. It's hard to help someone who hasn't asked for the help yet but it gives me a purpose. It is still hard(got burned in the process) I keep waiting for a miracle i guess.

Listening to sad songs sometimes helps me, because crying helps ease my pain. Sometimes happy songs will make me cry too because I'm an emotional person. Talking to someone does help, someone you trust to not bail out on you when they see the part of you that you hate. Sometimes something that makes you miserable and ashamed is something that wont put them off.

I haven't quite figured out how to fully help myself or my friend, but since he hasn't ditched me completely and I won't let him down it gives me hope and I feel just a bit better.

Here is some music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ15y_OZ9ns

@Alchemic Mushroom:

Ohhhhhh... okay. Got it. But you never know; our back and forth could inspire other people, you know? ^_^ If that makes sense.

1. Hmm... can't say pride explicitly came to mind, but I guess it all would boil down to that, huh?

2. Yes; sometimes, the circumstances would turn people into softies. Other times, they'd become hard-hearted because of their trials. And then the coffee was the people who changed their circumstances. And yeah, unless the problems were smaller day-to-day ones, that is kind of trivializing; but to the mother's defense, she was listening while her daughter was venting.

3. Kind of like before, I can't say that "cover[ing] up insecurities" really came to mind, either. Maybe as an enhancer? I don't know... I guess I just don't wear makeup enough to have come to that conclusion. I see it now, but I didn't really make the connection before. And I do hope I haven't offended you by saying that, because I meant it in all sincerity (I can be a little naive that way sometimes...).

4. Yeah, you should definitely give it a try. But if you haven't tried fiction writing before (aside from the comics), then National Novel Writing Month's goal of 50k words in 30 days or less might be a bit much... unless you find that you love writing and just blaze through it, which could happen :D It's up to you.

5. Yep; it would be easier to avoid conflict this way because people would know what made each person happy. And neat! As it turns out "Words of Affirmation" is my main love language too. Not only do compliments make me feel good, but I'm also crushed by harsh criticism... even of stuff I like ._. Heck, I even used to be sensitive about people jokingly lying about me (like, "Oh, she's a troublemaker" and the like... you know, the whole "I'm just pulling your leg" thing). I'm learning to get over it, considering a few of my coworkers enjoy a good joke, but it still stings occasionally. So it's funny, after finding out about the Love Languages, a lot of what I've experienced and how I've reacted to it makes sense... it's all just clicking now.

6. Ah. And I could see that with the "Words of Affirmation" Love Language being yours (or your primary; it's possible to have two with one stronger than the other) how it would have a negative affect instead of getting you to respond.

Yeah, I didn't quite realize this comic was more artistic and illustrative in nature than an outlet for actual depression... there's that part of me that gets concerned whenever I see someone drawing/writing melancholic pictures ^_^U So I'm a little embarrassed that I assumed like that, but happy you thought my advice was thoughtful.

Thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment! This comic was inspired by my experience with depression (especially the part about the drawings) but also by an online forum in which people explain what their depression is like. A user there described their depression as "The Low" and I thought it was an interesting concept. It was also drawn as another depression awareness piece (just like my Gloom Town series).

1. I agree, we all need some form of support from others (such as close friends, family, etc.) but I'm not sure if that has anything to do with being antisocial. Maybe you were thinking more along the lines pridefulness? Because I'm sure there are a ton of extroverted people who have a huge social circle but think it's self-defeating to admit when they need a helping hand.
2. The idea of that story is really interesting. I suppose the vegetables represent the different ways people cope with the circumstances they are thrown into? The mom sounds like she's trivializing her daughters problems though, lol.
3. Not going to lie, this is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. Not every woman (or man, if they are into that) wears makeup to make themselves beautiful for other people's validation. Don't think of makeup as a way for a woman to cover up her insecurities, think of it more as a fashion accessory, such as jewelry or a handbag! Makeup isn't always about being beautiful, it's about self expression in the form of everyday art on the face, and I'm not talking costume face paint. Some women do find it offensive to be told that they shouldn't wear makeup.
4. I do all sorts of art, like studio drawing, sketching, digital art, sewing and fashion design, etc. But I've never really given writing a go so it may be fun!
5. Sadly the main website won't load on my computer but it sounds totally cool! Like understanding the importance of the different ways to show love. Reminds me of an old book, The Pleasures of Life, by Sir John Lubbock. I haven't finished it yet but the idea of it is trying to comprehend happiness in the way we live. "Words of Affirmation" just hits the nail on the head for me.
6. These were all things someone has said to me when they were trying to motivate me to do or be whatever. It never works and it honestly makes me pull back even more because I'm stubborn like that!

If this is autobiographical, then I would like to give you some hopeful words:

1. Humans aren't meant to be solitary beings. That doesn't mean we can't have our quiet moments alone, but by nature, we're social, even if that means being with just a few close friends. So even if you hate asking for help as you've said, there comes a time when we need to step outside our comfort zones and get that help. No need to face problems alone; goodness knows you get all those positive friendship themes in anime and manga for a reason.

2. Life is full of high and low points, and challenges come our way. Let's face it: if life didn't have challenges, we would never be able to grow as people because we'd have nothing to face and overcome. I think the story of the carrots, eggs, and coffee is interesting: all three were thrown into different pots of boiling water, with the ingredients symbolizing people, and the boiling water symbolizing difficult circumstances. The carrots got soft because of their "trials", the eggs became hard because of theirs, but the coffee changed its circumstances. Hopefully that makes sense... the main part has a story about a mother putting these things on the stove while her daughter's telling her about how difficult her life is, and the mother shows her daughter the results of the boiling.

Maybe the story applies, and maybe it doesn't, but I just wanted to share.

3. You don't need makeup to be beautiful. The true beauty comes from within (trite, yes, I know... but it's true). Heck, I don't even really wear makeup much at all and I'm 24 (I do like putting on a little fragrance, though; Bath and Body Works has some great stuff. I also enjoy painting my nails occasionally, but that's rare).

4. If you still want to draw, you could always take up a rough style of drawing; you know, working with pencil sketches instead of lineart. Also, if you enjoy writing, National Novel Writing Month is coming up in November, so there's still time to sign up in case you're interested (not sure, but just wanted to throw that out there).

5. It sounds like one of your love languages might be "Words of Affirmation". I've been learning about the 5 Love Languages as of late; these are the ways that people give and receive affection toward friends, relatives, loved ones, etc. Understanding them can greatly help in communication, because it tells you and others how to effectively communicate with each other, and what words/actions can be potential emotional "landmines" to be avoided. For example, someone whose love language is spending time would be devastated if you just blew plans off at the last minute, so that's something you want to avoid if you don't want to upset them.

If you google the term "5 Love Languages", you can find a quiz at the official website, if you'd like to learn more.

6. Also, whoever's telling you these things sounds like they're being pretty hard on you (but to be honest, I've heard a something similar to a few of those lines myself, and I can say that in my case they're right ^_^U But to my defense, my room is my art/work studio and general hangout. As for the exercise, I could stand to lose a little weight off my thighs and seat...). I know we all need a little push sometimes, but there are nicer ways to do it.

I hope I was able to help or at least lift your spirits a bit.