Life Goals in Weird Times

Keeping it simple these days. (I don't have pets, but it's always a pleasure to meet other people's dogs.)

Thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[4-panel borderless comic page about resetting "Life Goals in Weird Times." Panel 1: A cartoon girl with a braid knees down and holds out her hand to greet a dog that is sitting in a basket and says, "I come in peace." Caption: "Be kind." Panel 2: The girl is seated next to the basket and the dog is now sitting on her lap. Caption: "Learn to love yourself and accept love from others." Panel 3: The girl is enjoying a meal with a blissed out expression on her face. Panel 4: The girl is in workout clothes, running in the park. Caption: "Eat all your favorite foods - without gaining weight. That is all." Original illustrated comic by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

I've Done What I Can Do

If it's all you can do today, it's enough. 

Thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[3-panel comic of a cartoon girl with a braid, alone in a desolate grayed out landscape, with heavy storm clouds looming over head. The girl is in color, against the grayscale background. In prominent script, the dark clouds are emblazoned with the word "WORRIES," as the girl looks up at the sky apprehensively in panel 1. In panel 2, she takes out an umbrella. In panel 3, she holds the open umbrella over her head and awaits the approaching storm. The heading reads, "I've Done What I Can Do." Cartoon illustration by ©Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

All My Anxieties Are Correct

It feels like "prove me wrong" is our collective vibe as a society these days. Anxieties aside, I hope you have a calm weekend. 

Thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[Single-panel comic of a cartoon girl, hair in a bun, bursting through an office door with a look of dramatic defiance. The caption reads, "Me, walking into therapy like - BAM!!" while giant, confrontational speech bubbles dominate the composition and read, "ALL MY ANXIETIES ARE CORRECT! PROVE ME WRONG!" Original cartoon illustration by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022, all rights reserved.]

Dumb Mistakes (Creative Notes #77)

I guess I'll learn everything the hard way after all. 

Please check out my series on the Tinyview app and give a like if you can! It helps keep the comics going. 

Thanks as always for reading. New episodes every Wednesday.

[5-panel comic strip of a cartoon girl with a bun having a conversation with her younger self. Episode 77 from webcomic series "Creative Notes" by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022, for Tinyview. Panel 1: Girl says to the viewer, "If I were to tell my younger self one thing, it'd be-" Panel 2: She is interrupted by her petulant-looking Younger Self in a pink headband, who says dismissively, "TSK! Save your breath." Panel 3: Younger Self, hands akimbo, asserts that, "I'll learn by making all the same dumb mistakes you did." Panel 4: Younger Self walks off, followed by Older Version, who tries to retort, only to be cut-off again by Younger Self, who abruptly ends the conversation with "I'm good THX" and walks off. Panel 5: Girl is left by herself and observes, "Well, I was a real pill, wasn't I?" https://tinyview.com/connie/2022/07/27/episode-77-dumb-mistakes] 

Work Hard, Nap Harder

I work hard, I nap hard. A useful skill in life. ^_^

Thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[5-panel borderless comic strip of a cartoon girl with a bun, working at her desk. Panel 1: seated with a blank page and a mug, ready to start. Panel 2: slightly hunched with a look of concentration, more sheets of paper, a mug and an empty bowl. Panel 3: more dishes, stacks of paper, girl is fully hunched over her desk with disheveled hair and bulging eyes. Text reads, "Work. Work...WORK!!!" In panel 4, an elephant enters the frame and text reads, "Play?" Panel 5: Elephant is seated and the girl rests against the elephant with tired exhaustion, while the caption reads, "Nap." Comic strip titled "Work Hard, Nap Harder," by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

Hope in Modern Times

I am full of hope in these modern times, lol. Sorry for the lack of new posts this week. I'm deep in writing. 

From my sketchbook, this is a classic NYC tableau that I see more and more these days. 

Thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[3-panel autobio comic of a cartoon girl with a bun, wearing a mask, and waiting for a train on a New York City subway platform. In panel 1, she is standing while a balding middle-aged man in vest and slacks, urinates in public at the end of the platform in Times Square at rush hour. A younger man with a cap, backpack, skateboard, looking at his phone, queues up behind him. In panel 2, balding man walks up and it's skater boy's turn. Panel 3 shows the scene a beat later, all three subway riders still in the frame. Caption reads, "When I start to lose hope, / I look all around me and / - pretend I live somewhere else." Cartoon titled "Hope in Modern Times, " by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

Heat Wave Ice Fantasy

Dreaming about giant blocks of ice in this heat wave. Hope everyone is staying cool and hydrated.

Thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[Single-panel wordless comic of a cartoon girl with a bun, at home, hugging a giant block of ice, in a heatwave. Outside the window, the sun is on full blast and the city is a mirage. Illustration by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

Healing Pep Talks

Healing isn't linear, but pep talks are free.

Thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[3-panel comic of a cartoon girl with a braid, wearing a t-shirt with W.I.P. on it. Panel 1: She is looking into a mirror with a flat expression. Caption reads, "Healing isn't linear." Panel 2: She is at her desk with a post-it pad, pen, and tea mug, putting a bright post-it note on her head. Panel 3: Hands, folded in front of her, she patiently waits. Caption reads, "But pep talks are free." The post-it note on her forehead says, "You'll get there." (WIP = work in progress) Webcomic strip by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

Me, at the Movies

Maybe this is why we go to the movies, etc. What are you watching and reading these days? Or excited to see?

Thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[2-panel webcomic of a cartoon girl on a couch, cradling her heart like a child and saying, "Don't worry, I'll keep you safe from harm." The heading says, "Me, in real life." In contrast, the heading of the next scene reads, "Me, at the movies." The second panel is a drawing of the girl in a dramatic fantasy-action scene, hurling the heart directly into the mouth of a giant, menacing, fire-breathing dragon, with all her might. She yells out, "Take my money! Break my heart!! Make me FEEL SOMETHING!" Comic strip by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

Be the Light

Be the "light" you want to see in the world. Every little bit counts, hahahah ;)

Thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[Short black and white comic strip with the hand-drawn accented heading "Be the LIGHT you want to see in the world," followed by a panel painted in entirely in inky black, except for two bulging white cartoon eyes and the sound of a "click." The last panel shows a stage-lit cartoon girl with a braid, holding a flashlight under her face, looking spooky. A single speech bubble says, "Boo." Webcomic by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

Becoming Worthwhile

Every inch of progress counts - or at least that's what I tell myself. Godspeed all of us toward our better selves. 

Thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[2-panel borderless webcomic of a cartoon girl with a braid, in full stride, chasing after a carrot on a stick. Panel 1 text reads, "For anyone who's trying to be a better person...have patience." In panel 2, the girl is doubled over, panting with exhaustion, carrot still dangling out of reach. A medium elephant holding a bottle with its trunk observes the girl. Panel 2 text reads, "Worthwhile things can take time." A beat and Elephant asks, "Want a sip of seltzer?" Heading of comic: "Becoming Worthwhile." Original comic strip by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

Calling It A Day

End of the week! May you enjoy it. 

Cheers and thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[Two-panel comic about creative productivity and not getting enough done. A cartoon girl with a braid sits at her desk, fretting over unchecked boxes on a to-do list. Panel 1 caption reads, "There was so much I was supposed to get done. I feel bad." In panel 2, the girl stares out the window, watching two birds in the distance, holding a drink in her hand. Text reads, "OR...I could accept that I'm not a productivity machine and move on." Heading of comic: "Just be okay and call it a day." Sketchbook comic strip by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

Heart to Heart (Creative Notes #70)

Sometimes, all we can do is listen to our hearts beat and write it down.

Thanks for reading. Look for new episodes of my webcomic series on the app: https://tinyview.com/connie

[6-panel comic of an artist with a bun in front of an art easel, with lightbulb and a large red heart on a stool. Panel 1: Artist says to heart: "Okay, ready." Panel 2: "Go ahead, we're listening." In panel 3, heart speaks: "Well, I feel kind of sad and I don't know how to fix it." In panel 4: After beat, artist says sadly, "I don't know what to do about it either..." Panel 5: Artist starts to draw something on the blank canvas, "But I guess I could write that down." The heart says, "Thanks." Panel 6: Close-up of the heart saying, "Who knows why, but it helps." From the original webcomic series Creative Notes episode 70 on tinyview.com/connie by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

Society To Women

It's hard enough being a woman without taking away the legal right to healthcare. 

Thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

I also have another comic up on Tinyview this week: https://tinyview.com/connie/2022/06/29/episode-73-healing-heart

[2-panel autobio comic about the inescapable cues that women get in society, on top of losing the legal right to reproductive healthcare in the U.S. with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. In panel 1, a woman with a braid is running with a backpack on, looking at her watch. Text: "All my life, I believed all the cues I got from society that I'm ugly and unworthy of love. (Honestly, it's hard not to.)" In panel 2, the woman is waiting at a bus stop, when a man walks by and sneers, "Fat p-ssy Asian b-tch" at her. It's 7:20am and she's minding her own business. Caption text: "Learning self-love is still something I have to work at everyday." Comic strip titled "Society to Women," by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

Unprecedented Times

My mood all day. Stay angry, stay focused. 

Thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[3-panel comic of a cartoon girl with a braid, scribbling in her diary, reflecting on recent events. In panel 1, the girl sits at her desk, looking agitated and writes: "Dear Diary, Yet again, we are living in unprecedented times..." In panel 2, she pauses writing and thinks for a moment. A beat. In panel 3, she crosses out the word "unprecedented" with a red pen and inserts "highly disappointing" before the word "times." Comic strip by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

Future Self to Present Self

You're not alone and it's okay to be angry. Note to self. 

Thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[Single-page, two-panel comic about once-protected human rights being taken away. Heading: "Future Self to Present Self." A cartoon girl with short hair sheds a few tears, with her head down and back turned. Inset image of two hands holding a red heart with a deep gash in it. Panel 1 text: "In the absence of empathy and compassion from those you put your trust in, remember that you have untapped power inside you..." Text continues in panel 2: "-- and you're not alone, even if you haven't met all your people yet." In panel 2, the girl is comically comforted by an older girl with a braid, who says, "There, there...Buck up, kiddo...'cause you're gonna need all your strength." Sketchbook comic strip by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

Pace Is Arbitrary

I don't know if this is really true or not, but the joke is in the irony. 

Thanks for reading and supporting. Busy writing these days, apologies for lower output.  

Connie on Ko-fi

[4-panel borderless comic strip of a cartoon girl with a braid, hugging her knees. The heading reads, "It's totally okay to be still figuring it out at any point in your life." Panel 1, the girl has her head down and says, "I keep making mistakes and getting it all wrong..." Panel 2, she flips her head back and exclaims, "Why am I such a slow learner!?!" In panel 3, a tortoise ambling by says wisely, "Don't worry. Pace is arbitrary." In panel 4, there's a beat, then the tortoise starts walking off and adds, "Come on, I'll race ya." Cartoon by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

Heart Speak (Creative Notes #69)

When your heart speaks, don't ever take it for granted!

Update: Find new Creative Notes episodes every Wednesday on the app https://tinyview.com/connie

[5-panel webcomic strip of a cartoon girl with a bun, busy with household chores, when her heart decides to open up and talk. Panel 1: illustration of a girl in an apron, doing dishes. Panel 2: a thought bubble of a creativity as a lightbulb is taking a nap. a cartoon heart walks over and announces, "I have something to say." Panel 3: girl throws a wet sponge up in the air and exclaims, "ACK! OMG!" startling the lightbulb awake. Panel 4: girl is running, with the heart under her arm like a football, yanking the lightbulb along, and leaving the apron and dishwashing gloves behind. Panel 5: girl looks down at the heart sternly and says, "You'd better not chicken out on me." Cartoon caption reads: Whenever there's a chance that your heart is willing to talk to your creativity, drop everything and run with it." Episode 69 of Creative Notes, a webcomic series by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, for Tinyview https://tinyview.com/connie]

Sketchbook: Return to the Gunks

Sharing a messy drawing from my sketchbook. After a lot of self-work and therapy, it was great to relearn how to climb outdoors again. 

Thanks for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[Color sketch of a cartoon girl with an orange helmet on, standing at the edge of a high cliff ledge, towards the rock face, belaying a climber with a rope, while raptors soar at eye level over the summer green of the Hudson Valley. The drawing is titled "Return to the Gunks.*" The caption below the drawing reads: "June 2022: I got to climb outside again for the first time in several years. I had to relearn everything all over. The biggest difference between now and then is that I don't hate myself anymore. I mean, I'm still no picnic, but it's forgivable." Sketchbook illustration by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022. *Note: Gunks is short for Shawangunk Mountains, a popular climbing area in Upstate New York.]

Introvert-Libra Brain in Action

My fellow Libras will understand.

With apologies to long-suffering friends -- thanks for being patient ':)

Connie on Ko-fi

[Two-panel comic of a cartoon girl with a braid, being characteristically indecisive, titled "Introvert-Libra Brain in Action." Panel 1: Friends say, "Do you want to grab dinner with us?" Girl freezes, with ellipses indicating both thought and speech. Panel 2 heading: "A little later." There's an awkward pause before friends add, "Um, yes-no question?" Girl gestures to wait a moment, ellipses still over her head, and says, "Hold on, my brain is still typing." Webcomic by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]

What the Heart Wants (Creative Notes #66)

It's a long day whenever these two aren't getting along ':)

Update: Look for new episodes of Creative Notes every Wednesday on the Tinyview app! https://tinyview.com/connie

[4-panel comic of a girl with a bun at her desk, trying to get her heart and creativity to work together. Panel 1: the girl says in frustration to a heart and lightbulb, not speaking together, "Seriously, what's it going to take for you to work together?" Panel 2: the heart whispers something inaudible in her ear. Panel 3: the girl paraphrases the heart: "You need to feel loved and validated?" Panel 4: the light bulb rolls its eyes and thinks "Oh puh-leaze," while the heart angrily stews and the girl walks away wearily and says, "Gonna be a long day." From episode 66 of Creative Notes, an original webcomic series by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022, for Tinyview comics https://tinyview.com/connie]

All I Really Want

When you don't get what you want in life, sometimes there are alternatives ;)

Have a blessed weekend. Thanks, as always, for reading. Connie on Ko-fi

[3-panel comic of a girl with a braid describing what she wants in life. Panel 1 text reads, "All I really want is to be understood and accepted and a little bit loved from time to time..." In panel 2, she looks down, hands on her hip, and says, "But that is asking a lot these days." After a beat, she says, "Maybe there's a dog around I can play with." Panel 3 pans out and the girl walks off the frame, followed by an excited-looking elephant, who chimes in, "Oo-ooh me too! Dogs are sooo agreeable." Original webcomic strip by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2022.]