You know what’s hard? Freaking living. This world can be too much. From the never-ending voices in our own heads to the constant belittling barrage of popular culture, positive mental health is hard to maintain.
I know how hard it is. I’ve struggled with anxiety, depression, and complex PTSD my entire adult life and a good portion of my childhood. I just need a little comfort in the face of it all. Just something to hold on to, to remind me that what I’m hearing inside my head is not the definitive truth.
I’m good enough, smart enough, resilient enough—strong enough—to make it through today, and tomorrow, and the next day. Or even the next minute!
One of the most important things I’ve discovered on my own mental health journey is the power of grounding tools. Little things that bring you joy, that remind you to break out of the prison of your own head.
For me, it can be my tableaux, where I put things like a little LEGO cat lady and a robot together, where she’s clearly telling the robot to drop her cat, which is in its mouth, and do it right now. Or my collection of monster dolls, which lurk on my bookcases.
Or all the fiber art pieces made by women in my family over the generations, each loop of yarn or thread a testament to their perseverance and faith in their art, whose tradition I carry on through my own.
I have comfort objects all over my house, in my car, in my bag for when I go out, everywhere. And I do it because I need reminders not to buy into non-supportive thinking.
So that’s what the Bunnycake is about.
I created the first one for someone I love very much, to serve as a constant reminder of my love for them. I wanted it to remind them that no matter where they were, they were valued, cherished, and adored, just for being them.
Each little friend is a tiny reservoir of love, acceptance, compassion, and strength just for you, to help you remember that you are on your own journey.
Every hand-crafted Bunnycake is unique work of art. The process of hand-making each one means that there are none that are identical, even if they share the same colors.
The only thing that remains the same is the little red scarf. Every Bunnycake wears the same scarf, and in that way, I’m building a community of mental-health support, everywhere Bunnycakes exist.
You are connected to me and every single other Bunnycake family member, and we all extend empathy, sympathy, and supportive strength throughout this family. The whole Bunnycake community lives in each new companion I make!
These companions can also serve, if you like, as records you can pass down. As the creation of the Bunnycake has helped me to share my story about my own mental health journey, now you, too, can use your companion to help you add to your story!
If you want to, write down the struggles you face, and how you’re working with them. Keep track of how your little friend helps you on your journey with your own mental health.
And watch as a record of your wisdom and solutions grows before your eyes. Now that’s something worth passing down!
Your Bunnycake is here to remind you: you’re not alone. We walk this path together.
Welcome to the community!
Please let me know how you and your Bunnycake are doing! If you post on Instagram or anywhere else, use the hashtags #bunnycake and make sure to @bunnycake to show the Bunnycake family all the places you take your friend!