This book fantastically portrayed the author's struggles with mental health. I think that it will be very relatable for readers with similar challenges and it is great for representation. I love that the the author included some of the coping skills and mechanisms that worked well for her, as well as the message that there is not necessarily a "quick fix," but rather a journey towards healthier thought patterns and reactions to situations. She also made it clear that sometimes it is still very much a struggle and that's ok. The illustrations perfectly captured the emotions and feelings of the book. Highly recommend!

Everything is OK is a memoir of the artist's journey into mental illness. The first realization as well as acceptance of her condition and the method she used to treat it and accept herself that it isn't so much an "illness" but part of who she is. It reminds me of a humorous paraphrase of Nietzsche's quote: "Being human is a complicated gig. So give that ol' dark night of the soul a hug. Howl the eternal yes!".

The book is a travelogue of introspective self-realization which is a very brave thing to do. It was honest and vulnerable with itself and took its time to get to its eventual destination. So it might seem that the book is repetitive, but I appreciate that because it was as if the book was trying to convince itself of its own conclusion. It was as if that book itself took its time reaching its goal. Which in the end was self-satisfying for the author as well as the reader.

The artwork reminds me of Kate Beaton. I loved that it used color in certain panels to illustrate the different color spectrums of life itself.

I would buy this book and highly recommend it.

This is the second comic book from Debbie Ting I’ve read, and, like Quiet Girl in a Noisy World, this resonated so deeply with me. I loved when the watercolor addition mirrored the speaker’s improved mental wellness and/or outlook on life. And the advice that the therapist gives is easy for others who are experiencing depression to adopt, as well as shows therapy nay-sayers what counseling is actually like. I’m looking forward to whatever Tung produces next!

This is, by far, one of the most important books I have read this year. Why is that you ask? Because it came just when I needed it. I needed the reminder that I am not too much, that I am okay, that I don't need people to approve of me to just be me and that I will be, eventually, okay.

I have felt all the feels the author has [and continues to] dealt with; depression and severe anxiety is nothing to brush off and yet most of my life I have been told to just buckle up and stop being a baby [I have been dealing with depression since I was a child and anxiety since I was a teen]. It was so nice to read something that reminded me that I don't have to do that and I am not what I am being told [by others, and then eventually, by my own self]. This book may have come just in time to save me.

I do not have the ability [I started to write luxury, but self-care and mental health care are NOT luxuries, they are NECESSITIES and should be available to all IMO] to get therapy, but I would encourage all those who can to do so. If you have it available to you, take that step, even if it is the scariest thing you have ever done. All of us who cannot do it [for me it is money/no insurance], want this for those who can.

Everyone struggles, but some just struggle more and we all need to remember that - please be kind to those around you. You have no idea what someone might be dealing with. And if you are dealing with the dark demons yourself, choosing to be kind to someone might just help them like you wish to be helped.

This is a brilliant graphic memoir about the author’s battle with depression and anxiety, and her journey towards recovery, which she shows in brutal honesty. She doesn't sugarcoat this and talks about just how difficult recovery can be. BUT it CAN be done. She makes sure that this is stated over and over.

If you are dealing with depression, anxiety and life is just overwhelming, this may be the most important book that you read this year too. I hope it helps you like it has me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Debbie Tung, and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As always, Debbie Tungs illustrations were incredible, and now with the colours as well - chef's kiss.
The pacing was a bit off in my opinion and some of the things written were a bit unoriginal, the wording something that can be found in numerous works about MH.
But overall still a very moving, beautiful read.

As someone who lives with depression and anxiety, this book hits close to home. It depicts exactly what anxiety and depression can look like. It is nice to feel seen and not feel alone!

This was a great read, It’s so relatable. What the character was going through got me emotional because I have been there and know the struggle of going through depression and anxiety. I’m looking forward to picking up more works from this author.

A sweet and poignant graphic memoir about the author’s journey with anxiety and depression. The art is lovely, simplistic in a way that highlights the message, with ink line drawings washed with watercolors that reflect the emotional arc. Her reflections on feeling like she had to “earn” rest and focus on hyper productivity hit a nerve with me, and I that many others could also relate. At times, the lessons learned bordered on cliché and read like Instagram affirmations, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a truth to them. Overall, this is one I’d be happy to add to my classroom graphic novel shelf.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book early. This book is so relatable with BEAUTIFUL artwork. I loved this book!

I highly recommend checking out this graphic memoir if you have or love somebody who has depression and anxiety. The illustrations are absolutely stunning and I truly saw myself in some of the scenarios she depicts throughout the story. I am so grateful I was able to review this title before its publication and think that it would make a great addition to any library's collection as it depicts mental health so honestly.

Thanks to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC of this!

I have loved all of the author’s previous works, because they felt like a relatable warm hug. This was relatable but in the totally opposite way where I read every page on the edge of tears because my anxious brain was like OH MY GOODNESS. Definitely recommend, to help see how you’re not alone or to understand depression and anxiety better, but go in with caution if you’re feeling fragile ❤️

4.5 stars

”Be gentle with yourself. Take your time to heal.”

Everything Is OK is not only author’s healing journey, but also ours, especially the ones who are struggling with mental health issues.

Some of people can’t get through the shadow of negative thoughts. And it makes us anxious, frustrated, and gradually losing faith to ourselves. All the things we have done are meaningless. Suddenly, demons in our hearts become stronger and the world is filled with darkness. We can barely find any lights guiding us to escape from the prison made by pain.

I can totally understand how Debbie felt. Her story strikes a chord with me. Most of the things she had been through is so familiar and I can’t help thinking of my life. Therefore, reading this book is also the self-care process for ourselves. Learn to be gentle with ourselves and accept all the defects we have. It’s okay not to be okay. We will get through the storm and have power to fight against demons in our hearts. We’ll be fine and everything is gonna be all right.

Perhaps some quotes are so common that can be seen in other works, but it feels different after the pain we suffer has been understood. It’s much easier to have faith in ourselves and find a glance of light to bright up the darkness.

*
Thanks NetGalley for providing E-ARC and exchange for an honest review.

Everything Is OK is a very accessible yet deeply vulnerable graphic memoir/comic collection about mental illness. It alternates between the author's personal journey with depression & anxiety, and uplifting & inspiring comics that give the reader advice — it really feels like a warm, tight hug from a friend.

I loved the art style and I feel like the gloomy black and white atmosphere fits the subject matter very well. Likewise, the beautifully painted skies feel hopeful.

It's a realistic take on struggling with these issues and I truly felt understood, and I really felt for Debbie and her journey. I think this would be a relatable and comforting read for all those who struggle with their mental health. The beginning is a bit dark and depressing, but I promise you it becomes inspiring and uplifting soon enough.

Everything is OK follows artist Debbie Tung’s journey with depression and anxiety and how she lives with this. In the book we see the moments leading up to some of her darkest thoughts that finally pushed her to get the help and support that she needed and we get to watch her come out the other side, not unscathed, but now with the tools to care for any scrapes and bruises she may incur along the way.

This book is INCREDIBLE, full stop. Debbie really captured what it feels like when your own brain is the thing working against you and you somehow have to stop it. We live in a society that treats rest like a reward when it’s actually a necessity and rewards overworking oneself at the mercy of being “productive,” and that together is the perfect cocktail for burnout which is terrible hard to recover from. Tung shows us through her own experiences what it looks like to go to therapy and ask for help and really put in the work to implement the boundaries and other changes one needs to bring themself peace.

This book is by no means a substitute for professional help, nor is it a self-help book or some sort of fix your life in ten easy steps nonsense either. It’s a recollection of Tung’s own life written with the intention of reminding the reader that we are never as alone as we may feel; other people are far more likely to understand what we’re going through than they are given credit for and while it may not be easy to ask for help it is and always will be completely worth it.

Everything is OK won’t fix your life or your problems or your brain chemistry, but it’s a great reminder that these are things that CAN be fixed; these difficulties are not forever no matter how much the mean voice in your head wants you to believe that they are. That mean voice is lying to you. This is gonna sound super cliche but I’m saying it anyway: everything really will be okay; it will take time and effort, but this book may just be your first step towards that.

Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Everything is OK is currently available for preorder and will be available at libraries and major book retailers on September 27th, 2022.

** A copy of Everything is OK was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **

If you're an anxious and sometimes depressed introvert like me, you will love this book. I went through almost every page of this and thought to myself, "This is me!" I've been following Debbie's work online for a while now and her book does not disappoint. The illustrations are simple and quaint, and Debbie's thoughts and feelings are so relatable! I highly recommend this.

Releases September 27th! Definitely get your preorders in asapppp!

4.5 stars

This was stunning and extremely relatable in all aspects. I felt so seen and loved and I ended the book in a more positive and optimistic mood than I started it in. I genuinely love all of Debbie Tung's books that I've read (I have yet to read only one) and I think she has a way of making everything seem so relatable and pure. I just love her work!! This one especially hit home for me since I've been struggling with my mental health recently, but this book was an amazing reminder of the power of thoughts and how important it is to take care of yourself. It made me feel so much better. This is definitely a must-read for those who have anxiety/depression or know a loved one who does, in which case it'll help you understand them tremendously better. An absolute gem of a book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an advanced edition. All thoughts and opinions are, as always, my very own.

An ARC is generously provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

TW: Depression, anxiety, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts

Debbie Tung does it again. I've read and loved all of her other published books. When I saw that this book was coming out, I knew I had to read it.

"Even if the world around me is silent, it's always loud inside my head."

Everything Is Okay is a book that manly focuses on depression and anxiety in regards to the authors own experiences. It goes through the different stages and feelings you might encounter when faced with mental illness. I felt it very accurately portrayed depression and anxiety based on my own experiences with those mental illnesses. There were parts that made me tear up. This is a graphic novel I highly recommend to anyone struggling, especially if you're feeling alone.

"Most of the time, the hardest person to forgive is myself."

The book tackles a lot of different areas of mental illness. Topics such as guilt, acceptance, shame, therapy, reaching out, forgiveness and more. The author uses more color in this book than her other works and I loved it. It complemented the story really well.

"You don't need permission from anyone to be yourself."

This is a book I would highly recommend to anyone going through a tough time, are feeling lost or overwhelmed. If you have read Debbie Tung's other books and enjoyed them, you'll probably enjoy this one too.

Everything Is OK by Debbie Tung is an incredibly realist and emotional journey for so many that are struggling with any sort of stress, anxiety, depression, or mental health concerns.
Debbie shares her own experience so open and honestly.

There are panels that start in color and end up black and white, as well as those that go the other way. It's small thoughtful details that help carry such a meaningful message in this journey.

I truly wish I had more thoughtful inspiring things to say, other than you should really read this. I'm happy I did and very grateful I was given the opportunity to.

**Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

Not a traditional story, more like a journey through therapy. There is a lot of really helpful and great information. It doesn't feel like you are being judged. This book will help a lot of people.

4 stars

Debbie Tung knows how anxiety and depression can make every day feel like an uphill battle, and she uses this graphic memoir to illustrate how they impact her life. It’s a powerful conversation starter about mental health, as well as a book to help readers feel seen and remember that better days are ahead. The art is simple and has a huge impact. I really appreciate Tung using her own experience to destigmatize mental health issues. A very affirming and approachable book.