A Comic Journey to Self-Discovery

Kiera Please leads us through her inner monologue.

Hii!

Every week, I’ll share personal essays from fellow Sadgirls in our community. For now, let’s call it…Sadgirl Submissions! This allows us to share our experiences with each other and normalize emotional expression. This week’s essay is from Kiera Please—a multi-hyphenated creator, streamer, writer, and musician who has built a massive following from simply being her full self!

If you’d like your essay considered, check out this post.

Sometimes, our inner dialogue feels like a quiet, guiding whisper, offering wisdom and clarity, helping us stay aligned with our deepest intentions. It almost feels magical and free-flowing. It can be an empowering force, leading us to tap into our intuition and embrace the positive aspects of our lives. But then, there are moments when that same inner voice takes us down darker paths, clouded with self-doubt, fear, and uncertainty; leaving you feeling hopeless and abandoned, wondering how you ended up there. The contrast between these two realities; the light and the shadow, often feels like a tug-of-war in our minds. And for a long time, I found myself running away from it, avoiding the darkness in an attempt to protect myself.

But what if there was a way to stop escaping from my thoughts? What if I could embrace the shadows and let them guide me, rather than running from them? I wanted to create something that would help me face my inner world with more curiosity and less judgment. Something that would empower me to align with my highest self while navigating through the messiness of my mind. This desire for self-empowerment and introspection became the foundation of my idea for the comic book journal "Inner Monologues".

The journey to creating this journal was born out of my own struggle with mental health and self-exploration. I had long recognized that journaling could be a powerful tool for personal growth, but every time I tried to commit to traditional journaling, I felt overwhelmed. The idea of filling pages and pages with thoughts, reflections, and feelings was daunting. It didn’t seem sustainable for me, especially when I was uncertain of what to write in the first place. I needed something more approachable, something that would make journaling feel like less of a task and more of a creative, inspiring process. And just more fun.

At the same time, I was immersed in the world of comics, finding solace and joy in the colorful worlds and captivating stories. I’d lose myself in them, imagining what it would be like to be a part of these narratives, how I would react in different situations, what I would learn, and how my own life might change as a result. [Jacque note: Check out cartoon lessons here on the blog for a similar feel!]

And then, one day, a thought struck me like a bolt of lightning: What if I were in a comic, but one created to help me better understand myself?

That thought was a revelation. What if I could combine the emotional depth of a journal with the creative energy of comics? What if I could create short-form comics that would inspire me to reflect on my feelings, my growth, and my mental well-being, all while keeping it fun, engaging, and easy to approach? What if, instead of feeling intimidated by the blank pages of a traditional journal, I could have a single, inviting panel to explore each day?

That’s how my comic book journal hybrid came to life.

Mental health, for me, has always been a continuous journey; one of trial, error, and growth. It’s a process of figuring out who I truly am, what brings me joy, and what drains my energy.

The act of surrounding ourselves with things that bring us joy, that elevate our mood, and that encourage us to connect with our authentic selves is so important. We often underestimate the impact that small moments of beauty, whether in art, words, or interactions, can have on our well-being.

In creating this journal, I wanted to manifest that feeling of alignment and joy. I wanted to create a space where I could be deliberate about what I focus on, where I could actively shape my inner dialogue, and where I could let go of limiting beliefs that no longer served me. I also wanted to create a space where I could embrace my inner child, allowing her to be silly, creative, and free. The illustrations and prompts would give her permission to explore her feelings without shame and remind her that well-being is always within reach if she chooses to tap into it.

Ultimately, this comic book journal is an invitation, a gift to myself and to others, to engage in a practice of self-expression, self-discovery, and self-care. It’s a reminder that we don’t need to have everything figured out in order to start the journey of understanding ourselves better.

Sometimes, all it takes is a single page, a single thought, a single moment of connection.

And through that, we can find the courage to embrace both our light and our shadows, knowing that both are integral to who we are and shaping where we want to go.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Read my surreal novel: How to Be a Better Adult

Read my dark, cozy cottage romance: I Live to Serve the Witch

Read my nerdy self-help book!: The Magical Girl’s Guide to Life

Follow me on Instagram!: @Jacqueaye