anxiety
The 3am tape.
Plays the same scene over and over. I've started naming the loops — that's the first step in turning them off. Cinderella, the one where you said something dumb in 9th grade.
Tab 03 · Section 01
Brain loud? Heart heavy?
Anxiety. ADHD. Overthinking. The voice that wakes you up at 3am — we're naming it instead of letting it run the whole night.
ADHD
Eighteen open tabs.
My brain has them too. I learned to leave the tabs open instead of fighting them. The thoughts come back when they're ready.
depression
The flat days.
Some days color is gone. I used to panic. Now I just say: ok, today is gray. I'll cook something. Color comes back.
overthinking
The decision tree.
I draw it out on actual paper. Pencil. The tree always ends in: it'll be fine. Most decisions are.
Tab 03 · Section 02 · The Candle Wall
Things I survived.
Every flame is a soul saying I made it through. Light one for yourself.
9 candles lit tonight ✿
P.S. — if you need actual help, call 988 or text HOME to 741741.
I love you. Stay.
I love you. Stay.
Tab 03 · Section 03
The Mirror Check.
The things I say to the one in the glass when nobody's listening.
things she said about me
dramaticmisunderstoodmaking it a big dealfine, really
things I'm saying now
- ★ specific
- ★ alive
- ★ exactly enough
- ★ a whole person
Tab 03 · Bonus · Anonymous
The Whisper Wall.
Slip a note under the door. No name. No replies. Everyone reads it.
Tab 03 · Section 04 · Phoenix Stories
I survived this.
One sentence about the worst night. One sentence about how you got out. Pinned by the Krewe so the next kindred can see it.
I was 14, my best friend died.→ I'm 17. I lit a candle for her this morning before school.
My ex told the whole school I was crazy.→ I learned half the school was already calling him a liar.
I tried to disappear my junior year.→ I asked for help. I'm here. I'm in therapy. I'm graduating.
My dad never showed up.→ I stopped waiting at the window. I have my own keys now.
Keep this number
If tonight is the bad night.
Real numbers. Real humans. Free. Call. Text. Stay.
crisis
988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988. 24/7. free.
texts
Crisis Text Line. Text HOME to 741741. anonymous.
trevor
The Trevor Project. 1-866-488-7386. LGBTQ youth, 24/7.
rainn
RAINN. 1-800-656-4673. sexual assault helpline.
stay. I'll see you tomorrow. — R.
Shadow Krewe · behind the door
Real Talk is for naming what hurts. The Storm Room is for what to do when it hits — grounding, breathing, scripts, and a wall for the things you couldn't say.