It’s been so long since I’ve blogged that it took me a good ten minutes to figure out how to log in. Good grief.
I’ve been meaning to blog for… I dunno… the last two years but I haven’t known what to say or how to say it.
Most of you know that I had a major depressive episode almost two years ago and ended up in intensive outpatient treatment for several months. That mess came out of the blue and almost wiped me off the face of the Earth.
It’s been devastating, affecting every aspect and relationship in my life and writing wasn’t even on my radar. Still not quite ready to dive back in yet but I know I have to start somewhere.
Honestly, I’ve been scared to write. Now that I’m highly and I mean HIIIIIIIIIGHLY medicated, my brain doesn’t work the same. Which– yay, cuz shit got bad– but it’s affected my creative process. My thoughts don’t flow the way they used to and to be really real– I don’t think I’m as funny as I used to be before all these waves of pain crashed over my life.
My voice has changed. Because I’ve changed. And THANK GOD I’ve changed. But I worry about your expectations of me. That y’all have come to me for the last few years for light hearted laughs and now this much darker side of me has made itself known and it’s changed me. It’s changed me for the better, but I’m still not comfortable in my new skin.
I miss connecting with this community. Y’all have NO IDEA how much I love interacting with y’all. Every single one of you makes me laugh as hard as you tell me that I make YOU laugh. Y’all make my days brighter, when I post something on FB, I look forward to reading your comments all day.
So if you’re still hanging around and reading the stuff I write, thanks. Seriously and sincerely, thank you. I’m going to start trying this whole blogging thing again as the me I am now.
Welcome back to blogging. I found you via Facebook, rather than this blog, and always enjoy your posts. I followed your link here today, and I think your voice you have now is terrific.
I also wanted to say thank you for speaking up and sharing your experience. You are not alone in these struggles, and I appreciate your willingness to share.
Glad you are back!
I left part of a message but must have hit “done” so I lost it. Anyway I am so happy to hear from you. I have been following your posts about the funny things your girls say. Honestly sounds like you always did. However, I am pulling for you! I think trying too hard may stifle you so let go and enjoy your new life. I haven’t experienced that but had back surgery last year leaving me with nerve damage to my bladder and colon. It has taken me a year to adjust, accept, and rise above this inconvenience. We are going to take this a day at a time and focus on all the positive things, right? Love Ms. Patty
I call you my “author friend” to which my husband rolls his eyes because we’ve actually never met. But one taste of Ketchup and I was hooked. I bought it for all my sister in laws and cousins who are moms and some guy at works wife who is a mom. And while I would love a second helping, I would also love for you to be you and a healthy you. So. Just do you. And I’ll keep reading and laughing and sharing. And referring to you as “my author friend”. ☺️
Thank you Robin for your voice. Opening up about your struggles only makes you more relatable, making us love you even more. We are all more alike than different. Thank you for sharing your stories. Parenting is hard and it’s so nice to know that you have your peeps to back you up or laugh it off or just know that someone else understands you. We don’t really know each other but I feel like your are one of my peeps. In my corner if I need ya. And also a big thank you for loving us gays. My wife and I have been together for ten years and adopted 3 littles last year and your Facebook self has been there with us the whole time. Much love and support from North Georgia.
Natasha Garcia.
Girl, I’ll read whatever you write. I’m always grateful that you’ve been talking openly about your experiences with depression. I haven’t written in ages, either. Thankfully not because of my depression/anxiety stuff – but because I just haven’t known what to say. I hit 40 and my voice changed, too, so I get that odd feeling. Solidarity, sister. xo
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Very well written and very brave. Glad you are back.
I think that’s the whole point. To be the me we are now. I’ve been working on it for at least 10 years.
Your voice still sounds authentic to me. xo
Thanks Angie!
Yay! And welcome back! Love your posts on Facebook but thrilled to see you have blogged.
Robin, I am so happy to see you came out on the other side of the depression snake pit. Too many people haven’t, it’s great to see you blogging again. But if you find that the now Robin is a very private person and doesn’t really want to write anymore, remember, you don’t owe anyone anything. You already made more people laugh than most of us manage in a lifetime. Be yourself, whatever it means now, and if you want to share it with your readers, i for one would be thrilled to keep reading you.
You made me cry. xo
So happy you are writing again! You had me at Ketchup!!! We are FB friends because I am addicted to the madness at your house! Love those creative girls! I connect with you in so many ways. My grandmother came to live with me at 94 years young and stayed until she decided to spend her 99th birthday with Jesus. I blogged that madness (momahall.blogspot.com). Hope you can read some of it some time. I think we are kindred spirits. Much love and happiness for you! Now write girl, write!!!
I’m originally from New Jersey and consider myself to be kinda stoic and try not to let things get to me but tears are falling from my face . I had no idea the extent of your pain. I’m also just a fan girl who read your books and was thrilled to see you on Facebook . I was just expecting a few funny anecdotes but what I got was a genuine, warm , and witty woman and 3 blond haired, blue eyed little beauties who are awesome beyond belief. Oh, and I can’t forget Zebalicious and his hairy legs. (Sorry dude).
Even though we have never met, I consider you a friend and I thank you for the laughs. If you can write, great! If you can’t, oh well. Just be healthy and happy and if you are ever near Chickamauga Georgia, you and your family will always be welcome in my home! In the meantime, those snippets into your life , that you share with us all, are incredibly brave, funny and always put a smile on my face! Just be you , girl….
I’m in your corner – whatever your voice is. Keep your head up. You got this boo! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Welcome home, Robin. We’ve missed you although your facebook posts have kept us connected as well. It’s ok not to be funny all the time. It makes the funny times that much funnier (more funny? – you know what I mean.) We’ll take what we can get! And thanks for the book recommendations. Keep them coming!
You’re writing from a place of truth. Lightness without darkness can be glib; your thought processes and writing may be different now, but I’m willing to bet they’re deeper and more meaningful.
Your audience loves you for YOU, funny or not, voice-cracking or not. xoxoxo
I appreciate your honesty. So many times we hide our struggles….Do was is best for you. Your friends will always be here. Hugs.
Welcome back, Girlie! I rarely click on blog links during the work day but I was so pleased to see one from you I had to see what you were saying. Your voice sounds great from here! I look forward to all the funny and maybe not funny things you have to say. It will all be read and appreciated. Love from the other side of the state. xoxo~P
Thanks so much!
Robin, I love your voice whether you’re writing humor or writing about your dark times. Your honesty is what resonates with people, so keep being you, the new you! We loved you then and we love you now. I’ve missed reading your blogs, and I’m very happy that you are dipping your pinky toe back in…if you need to take it back out, no worries about what anyone else thinks about it. Do what you need, and we will all be here cheering you on either way!
Thank you!!
Welcome back! I missed you and are glad to see you’re pulling through. You are my inspiration