Kind of Coping by Maureen “Marzi” Wilson

by Ravmeet kaur Oberoi · Published September 14, 2020 · Updated September 14, 2020

Blurb:

If you struggle with anxiety, you may feel like it’s you against the world all the time. Sometimes, your anxiety can be too much to handle all at once—wouldn’t it be nice to have someone around that understood exactly what you were going through?

Meet Marzi! She struggles with anxiety just like you. In Kind of Coping, join Marzi as she (kind of) copes with her own anxiety from day to day, finding the humor in her condition with this collection of funny, encouraging, and supportive comics that show you the best you can do sometimes is just kind of cope—and that’s totally OK!

Whether it’s a panic attack or an awkward social snafu, Marzi knows what you are going through. With over 150 full-color doodles that deliver hope and inspiration, unconditional support, and big laughs, let Marzi share her journey with you.

My Favourite Kind of Coping Quotes:

“Anxiety is an unwelcome houseguest. It takes up residence in the pit of my stomach, my chest, my mind.”
“Sometimes I just say I’m sick…because other people understand what the flu feels like…but they don’t seem to understand what anxiety feels like.”
“Sometimes when my social anxiety kicks in, I just have to leave the situation. It isn’t personal. It isn’t even optional.”
” I have realized that when I’m out in the world I make myself small. But at home, I can take up space.”
“It’s true that I don’t have it all figured out. But I’m beginning to realize that nobody does.”

My Take:

I found out about Kind of Coping through the introvert doodles account on Instagram. At the time, I had been following Marzi’s work for some time and absolutely loved it (still do). So I knew I had to give her book a read. I am glad to say that I am wasn’t disappointed.

Kind of Coping takes on the important theme of mental health, especially dealing with anxiety. The author mentions right at the beginning of Kind of Coping that this book is not a cure-all for anxiety. It does not tell you how to deal with your anxiety, it illustrates the author’s life with it. She does not claim to offer solutions but with Kind of Coping, she is welcoming the reader to her journey of coping with it. Marzi has taken different snippets of her life and used them to highlight the struggles of those who face anxiety every day. For me, Kind of Coping is filled with messages and conversations I wish I could have with myself, my friends and loved ones without the fear of judgement or ridicule.

I personally loved how she has tackled the issue at hand. Her take on life with anxiety is unique yet relatable. Even though the subject matter is an intimidating one, Marzi ensures that she does not communicate it that way. Usually, conversations around this topic are very “doom and gloom” but Kind of Coping depicts a hopeful, inspiring and humorous approach to life with anxiety.

I finished reading this book over a weekend. Once I picked it up, I just could not keep it down. The book delivers on what the title promises and so much more. Kind of Coping gets a thumbs up from me!

Thank you for reading the review!