Update and Donation Drive

Hey, there's a few things I want to talk about, some painful and some hopeful, but ultimately to ask for help. That's not something I like to do, or really feel comfortable doing, especially publicly. I don't like talking about my own problems, so I do want to try and keep it brief.

So, I came home early from college back in 2012. For a couple reasons, but mainly because I was burnt-out, home sick and beyond stressed after having to move multiple times due to insane (actual and clinically) roommates. But not long after I came home, moving back in with my mom, she became very ill. What was something minor before had become much worse. She could no longer work, or even breath without being on an O2 tank and was on disability within a months' time, it was crazy.

So, I stayed home, helped her as best I could while dealing with my own problems. Dropping out hit me hard, and my mom's health decline even harder. I was overwhelmed to say the least and became pretty closed-off. Nobody in my family really knew how to deal with depression, and we didn't really seek out help. I did various small and odd jobs to help out with bills but staying home and being there for my mom was a priority. Making berggie art and chatting with friends through that was a good escape and provided some income here and there.

But yeah, it was a slow but steady decline. My mom needed surgeries, and the US health system dunked on us hard. My mom lost her house, after filing for bankruptcy. Narrowly avoiding homelessness, we managed to find some low rent housing. Mom got the surgeries she needed, but it just wasn't enough. Fixing some problems but new ones came from those surgeries. I always thought she'd pull through, my mom was the strongest person I knew. But she passed away in late 2019, after succumbing to infection on top of it all. That was the lowest point for me, to put it lightly. After everything, she was gone.

I became lost in grief. The Covid pandemic and lockdown certainly didn't help. But I am thankful for those who stayed in touch, my friends. I am very lucky to have the friends that I do, because without them I honestly don't know where I'd be. Most of them I've met through this community - Thank you for being there for me. I can only hope that I've been as good a friend to them, as they have to me.

So yeah, getting towards the end here. These past few years have had a fair share of highs and lows. and just last year, I finally sought out therapy after reaching one of those lows, and luckily it really helped me out. For too long I was just scared to do anything, literally crippled by fear. So now I'm mentally in a much better place, and I want to turn my life around. Get a job, and maybe even finally get that art degree someday. But I'm still struggling, financially more than anything. I haven't been able to keep up with the bills for a long time, but it's all coming to a head.

I wasn't able to pay my rent fully last month, in July, and can't manage it at all this month. But I finally have a job lined up that I'm super excited about, and I want it to work out so badly, but I just need more time to manage the bills. So, this is the part where I'm asking for help. I'm going to be starting a donation drive. I don't know if I can manage a growth drive, where art is rewarded for tiers, but I'd like to make something for it, if the goal is achieved. I have a big line of commissions to work through, but I can't keep taking on more with such a line-up. It's just not enough to keep up, and I don't think it's fair for those who have paid and are waiting on their art pieces, as patient as they are. I'm not moving away from berggie art, but I don't want to burnout again either.

So yeah, I'll be starting the donation drive today. With a goal of $2,000 USD. All of it will be going towards bills. I'll have links below for Paypal and Ko-fi. Also aside from the drive, if you want to keep supporting my art, you can check out my comic store, as well as subscribe to my patreon. A new sketch pack was released today as well, for anyone interested!

That's my whole situation, summarized pretty much. I hope I came off understandable and sincere, as talking about these things is still not easy for me. But yeah, if anything else, I really appreciate you all. Thank you for your support over the years.

PayPal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=CGBWT6P29K3BS&no_recurring=0&item_name=I+appreciate+any+and+all+support&currency_code=USD

Ko-fi: Buy berggie a Coffee

Comic Store: Berggie - Payhip & New Sketch Pack: Sketch Belly Pack - Payhip

Patreon: Berggie's Icebox | Chillin' & Drawin' | Patreon