Reading these is so often feels like a therapy session or virtual hug. You make me refelect and laugh and think...in the best way. Thank you for sharing yourself and your vulnerabilities. Thank you also, for continuing to show up and share your awesomeness, even when you don't feel like it. I get excited every time the Enthusiast pops up in my email becasue I know I will get this moment where I feel less alone in this crazy world. We love you for who you are, Brad, puffy face and all. Your bravery in putting yourself out there and shining a light on the parts we are all temped to hide is awesome. Sending love and support your way and hoping treatments help you to be more comfortable both physically and mentally/emotionally. Also sending a big virtual hug with hopes that one day I can give you a hug in person (if that is OK with you, of course!)
Thank you. For these words. For your kindness. For making *me* feel less alone in this wild, weird world. Honored this feels like a virtual hug and would be honored by an in-person one should paths cross. thank you so much for being here and for being you.
Appreciate the honesty, Brad. And you’re not alone. About the time I decided to start making videos for my recent endeavor my face decided to re-enter the teen years and break out for the first time in a couple of decades and…just stay that way…and it’s part of the reason I haven’t launched it in the last couple of years.
I’m sorry you’re going through that and I’m glad you’re finding some answers. Less Brad = less awesomeness in the world, so thank you for continuing to show up with honesty.
Ryan, I appreciate this so much. Was thrilled to see the Kickstarter was funded! Cheered when I got the email. It does seem that these kinds of health challenges or physical inconveniences pop up at the most inopportune times, like *right* when you're about to be on camera. It starts to feel personal! Don't let it hold you back, friend. You have such a gift and such a brilliant voice this world needs. ANd if I've learned anything, we tend to notice our own faces way more than anyone else. GO FOR IT! Breakouts and all! Plus, if anyone is zooming in on your pores... well, they have other problems. Ha.
Colin! YES! Bravery does look different for us all. Those are wise words. Takes patience to recognize that and makes us kinder and more courageous when we do. Thanks for modeling that!
You are pretty, but people don't come to hear you or see you because of your face. It's because of your message. I'm sorry it hurts- that's no fun- but know that people would appreciate that you would speak despite pain.
I tell my students often tidbits that make me human. Obviously I don't divulge anything too personal- they are 10- but they need to know that EVERYONE has bad days, weird mistakes, annoying seatmates, aches, pains, and boogers.
Sometimes reading these is shocking. "How can he feel lesser when he is so freaking amazing?" But that's the point. We all do, despite our amazingness and not so amazing moments.
WHAT A KIND AND TRUE FRIEND YOU ARE! Thanks for all of this, Erica. Reminders I could always use. None of use are immune to those less-than moments, even when, from the outside, it might seek like its all figured out. I *love* that you share these sorts of little 'human moments' with your students. SO IMPORTANT! What a gift to be in a classroom where they can learn that even rad grownup people like you have bad days, weird mistakes, and, *of course* boogers. Thank you. for this. For your enccouragement. Perspective. and for being you.
Hi Brad. It is amazing how our bodies work with us. I so get it. I had massive red outbreaks - allergic - for a long period and there were no easy "topical" or "pill" answers. I started having mean thoughts about myself and my identity. Like you, a LOT of energy suddenly went into it, and I think that partly just made it worse, exacerbated by negative attention from myself!! A part of it WAS allergy, and it was the beginning of a journey of how I was dealing with anxiety (many family issues I simply could not control what people thought about me, and some part of me inside really cared and worried about that. ) It became a signal, that I needed to do some deep internal loving kindness....and for a long time it was a guide. It has also now settled. You are extraordinary at loving kindness. Your sharing of this suffering AND loving kindness at this new level is extraordinary and brings even MORE humanity and love to the people into your world. Your story resonates with anyone who has something about them that they can't control, and doesn't FIT with standard society archetypes. You sharing this inexplicable, impermanent, ever changing relationship with yourself, your face, and with others, with who you are, your incredible writing, drawing and humanity makes a difference. I am so inspired that you have done what you do - work with it, write with it, sit with it, transform it, then SHARE so powerfully, and MOST importantly, gives YOU agency - that's what inspires others on their own hero journey. Sending lots of loving kindness as you own this part of you with power. Kelly
Kelly, I am so grateful you shared your journey here and these super kind words. I resonate so much with the way you talk about the energy that goes into 'fixing' these things we wrestle with. All so beautifully said. These struggles can often become guides for us, signaling we really need to be kinder to ourselves or rest or heal. You see this so clearly and have sent such a blast of kindness my way. Sending it right back to you. Thank you so much for this.
Love you and your candor dude! Glad you are getting some answers. We all have our weird physical quirks. Glad you are showing up despite the stuff. It is tough but you are doing the dang thang and I am so proud! This world needs ya…your light, your perspective, your love, your acceptance, and your humor…all of it…love your face man! Keep making a difference!! 🙏🏼🫶🏼
DOING THE DANG THANG! haha! What's so great about your comment is I can TOTALLY hear *YOU* when I read it. I hear your voice cheering and encouraging and well, that's just who you are and what you do on the daily! Your words hit deep, friend. Thank you for seeing me, puffy face and all, and celebrating. Love love love your face too, my amazing friend.
Thank you for sharing this vulnerable human thing. That's just it, isn't it? We're all so very human, and it's embarrassing to be human. But if we all lean into the messiness and beauty of it and lean in any way, we remember that we're not alone in being human. What a gift that is. Thank you for sharing, for showing up, and for reminding all of us that it is okay to be human. Most importantly, thanks for naming it out loud and continuing to make your art and spreading more good!
I feel every bit of this. This being human thing is unpredictable, weird, and sometimes just deeply embarrasing. Ha. Leaning into it helps. Naming it out loud helps. Reading notes from folks like you helps. Somehow feels a little lighter. I so so so appreciate your reminders here and your kindness, and for being part of this space where we can all just show up as we are. You're a gift, Kelly. Thank you.
This is so awesome. You are such an encouragement to literally everyone. We're all holding back a little (or a lot) on releasing our creativity into the world. We have these dreams, passions, desires, and we form them into plans sometimes, and then the plan comes apart at the seams quite often, but thank you for reminding us to get out behind the mask, starting sharing our wonder and magic with the world (re-enchantment anyone?) and become a little more who we were meant to be. And then share that with the world.
I meant to write a 'better' comment than "this is so awesome" but it was very late at night and I just wanted to get something down to express appreciation. Here's an updated comment:
{Raises hand enthusiastically!} I had both jaw joints replaced two years ago. Between the swelling and my altogether new facial structure, I’ve learned that (especially living in the age of selfies and zoom calls) SO much is focused on our faces. The world asks, “Who are you if not the face shaped icon on your profile picture?”
It’s wild and I have body dysmorphia forever but also 100% here for anyone wanting to have a conversation about how a face is you but also not.
What a profound and *very real* observation ... the world DOES act like our face is what defines us. Well said. Like if our face shifts, we have to totally renegotiate who we are and what we bring to the world. My little ongoing existential crisis has grown from much of that. I'm so grateful you'd share a bit of your story with me. I'm encouraged by knowing that your journey is one you're navigating with such honesty and humor. "A face is you, but also not." That's gonna stick with me, friend.
Once again, you've written a post that I can easily identify with as I have been battling vocal dystonia for the last few years and spend a lot of time waiting for my voice to be "perfect" to socialize, work, and even talk on the phone. You have inspired me to stop waiting!
Terri. I can only imagine the challenges with vocal dystonia, not only on your voice but on all the other things in your life. Thank you for feeling as though you can share about it here. Deeply honored. Your voice matters... written, spoken, felt. All of it. Thank YOU
Hi Brad, sorry to hear about your misadventures! In the puffy-eyed photo, you look like my son's face after we came back from a week-end in the country in early June when mosquitoes and black flies are particularly voracious! Talk about allergies! When I was a kid, if I had to attend an event where there were going to be many people I didn't know, I would start to sneeze and sneeze some more or start coughing and had to leave and go to the bath room or drink some water. Instead of remaining unnoticed, the contrary would happen! My dad would throw up every morning before going to work until the doctor asked him about his job. He was working as a welfare agent and it turned out, he couldn't bear seeing misery and poverty and violence on a daily basis and it was making him sick. He changed job and all was well. Maybe in your case the stress of doing all the live events and the pressure of being perfect started triggering the allergy-like symptoms? I don't know if you have ever heard of EFT (tapping for short) ? As you tap on various acupuncture points, you state what is your problem, and the tapping helps lower your stress and often the symptoms disappear with a bit of practice. Check out The Tapping Solution or Nick Ortner and try it out. I am not affiliated with them, I just love their app and how much better I feel because of it. I can feel from what you write and draw that you are a very sensitive person, so you have to take special care of your emotional side. We need more people like you so don't let stress or pressure to be perfect get you down! Sending you good positive vibes!
I'm blown away by your thoughtful sharing here. Truly. Thank you. so much wisdom. It does feel like our bodies sometimes stage full-on protests when we're under stress! Your dad's story really hit me. How wild that his body literally couldn't stomach his job. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if my own body is just filing some kind of long overdue complaint. Haven't tried tapping. Am intrigued, though! I've heard from friends who've sought out similar paths and had positive results. So fascinating. Thank you for the kind reminder to care for the emotional side of all these things. So easy to overlook. Big gratitude (and no mosquitoes) your way, friend! Thank you for being here.
I love your words. I often share the words you say and feel as they are a mirroring of my own thoughts and feelings. So I guess that's my way of hiding, instead of writing my own words. Sorry you've been on this mystery train💗
Laurie!!! thank you. And hey... I think sharing words that resonate with you isn't hiding, it's recognizing. you're finding reflections of your own heart and purpose and saying "YES!" That's not nothing! Grateful for your words that found me today.
What a completely wonderful, honest, vulnerable letter Brad. Please don't hide, imperfectly perfect puffy eyes showing up is what we need. And what wonder created in the comments too. A collection of perfectly imperfect humans with lumps and bumps and puffy bits and saggy bits and spotty bits, and oddly coloured bits ✨💛
All the bits! Emily, thank you. It has been a JOURNEY! Encouraged to know I'm far from alone, though. The comments here and my inbox have been full of fellow funky faced folks - including a few with the exact same condition! feeling like I should've shared this a *loooong* time ago. Thanks for being wonderful weirdly you.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It really touched me & was a good reminder to stop hiding behind perfectionism. Just showing up *deep breath*
Reading these is so often feels like a therapy session or virtual hug. You make me refelect and laugh and think...in the best way. Thank you for sharing yourself and your vulnerabilities. Thank you also, for continuing to show up and share your awesomeness, even when you don't feel like it. I get excited every time the Enthusiast pops up in my email becasue I know I will get this moment where I feel less alone in this crazy world. We love you for who you are, Brad, puffy face and all. Your bravery in putting yourself out there and shining a light on the parts we are all temped to hide is awesome. Sending love and support your way and hoping treatments help you to be more comfortable both physically and mentally/emotionally. Also sending a big virtual hug with hopes that one day I can give you a hug in person (if that is OK with you, of course!)
This. means. more. than. I. know. how. to. say.
Thank you. For these words. For your kindness. For making *me* feel less alone in this wild, weird world. Honored this feels like a virtual hug and would be honored by an in-person one should paths cross. thank you so much for being here and for being you.
Appreciate the honesty, Brad. And you’re not alone. About the time I decided to start making videos for my recent endeavor my face decided to re-enter the teen years and break out for the first time in a couple of decades and…just stay that way…and it’s part of the reason I haven’t launched it in the last couple of years.
I’m sorry you’re going through that and I’m glad you’re finding some answers. Less Brad = less awesomeness in the world, so thank you for continuing to show up with honesty.
Ryan, I appreciate this so much. Was thrilled to see the Kickstarter was funded! Cheered when I got the email. It does seem that these kinds of health challenges or physical inconveniences pop up at the most inopportune times, like *right* when you're about to be on camera. It starts to feel personal! Don't let it hold you back, friend. You have such a gift and such a brilliant voice this world needs. ANd if I've learned anything, we tend to notice our own faces way more than anyone else. GO FOR IT! Breakouts and all! Plus, if anyone is zooming in on your pores... well, they have other problems. Ha.
Grateful for you Brad! Bravery looks different for each of us, and I’m always grateful for how you lead the way
Colin! YES! Bravery does look different for us all. Those are wise words. Takes patience to recognize that and makes us kinder and more courageous when we do. Thanks for modeling that!
You are pretty, but people don't come to hear you or see you because of your face. It's because of your message. I'm sorry it hurts- that's no fun- but know that people would appreciate that you would speak despite pain.
I tell my students often tidbits that make me human. Obviously I don't divulge anything too personal- they are 10- but they need to know that EVERYONE has bad days, weird mistakes, annoying seatmates, aches, pains, and boogers.
Sometimes reading these is shocking. "How can he feel lesser when he is so freaking amazing?" But that's the point. We all do, despite our amazingness and not so amazing moments.
Thank you.
WHAT A KIND AND TRUE FRIEND YOU ARE! Thanks for all of this, Erica. Reminders I could always use. None of use are immune to those less-than moments, even when, from the outside, it might seek like its all figured out. I *love* that you share these sorts of little 'human moments' with your students. SO IMPORTANT! What a gift to be in a classroom where they can learn that even rad grownup people like you have bad days, weird mistakes, and, *of course* boogers. Thank you. for this. For your enccouragement. Perspective. and for being you.
Hi Brad. It is amazing how our bodies work with us. I so get it. I had massive red outbreaks - allergic - for a long period and there were no easy "topical" or "pill" answers. I started having mean thoughts about myself and my identity. Like you, a LOT of energy suddenly went into it, and I think that partly just made it worse, exacerbated by negative attention from myself!! A part of it WAS allergy, and it was the beginning of a journey of how I was dealing with anxiety (many family issues I simply could not control what people thought about me, and some part of me inside really cared and worried about that. ) It became a signal, that I needed to do some deep internal loving kindness....and for a long time it was a guide. It has also now settled. You are extraordinary at loving kindness. Your sharing of this suffering AND loving kindness at this new level is extraordinary and brings even MORE humanity and love to the people into your world. Your story resonates with anyone who has something about them that they can't control, and doesn't FIT with standard society archetypes. You sharing this inexplicable, impermanent, ever changing relationship with yourself, your face, and with others, with who you are, your incredible writing, drawing and humanity makes a difference. I am so inspired that you have done what you do - work with it, write with it, sit with it, transform it, then SHARE so powerfully, and MOST importantly, gives YOU agency - that's what inspires others on their own hero journey. Sending lots of loving kindness as you own this part of you with power. Kelly
Kelly, I am so grateful you shared your journey here and these super kind words. I resonate so much with the way you talk about the energy that goes into 'fixing' these things we wrestle with. All so beautifully said. These struggles can often become guides for us, signaling we really need to be kinder to ourselves or rest or heal. You see this so clearly and have sent such a blast of kindness my way. Sending it right back to you. Thank you so much for this.
Thank You♥️
So grateful you're here, Penny!
Love you and your candor dude! Glad you are getting some answers. We all have our weird physical quirks. Glad you are showing up despite the stuff. It is tough but you are doing the dang thang and I am so proud! This world needs ya…your light, your perspective, your love, your acceptance, and your humor…all of it…love your face man! Keep making a difference!! 🙏🏼🫶🏼
DOING THE DANG THANG! haha! What's so great about your comment is I can TOTALLY hear *YOU* when I read it. I hear your voice cheering and encouraging and well, that's just who you are and what you do on the daily! Your words hit deep, friend. Thank you for seeing me, puffy face and all, and celebrating. Love love love your face too, my amazing friend.
Thank you for sharing this vulnerable human thing. That's just it, isn't it? We're all so very human, and it's embarrassing to be human. But if we all lean into the messiness and beauty of it and lean in any way, we remember that we're not alone in being human. What a gift that is. Thank you for sharing, for showing up, and for reminding all of us that it is okay to be human. Most importantly, thanks for naming it out loud and continuing to make your art and spreading more good!
I feel every bit of this. This being human thing is unpredictable, weird, and sometimes just deeply embarrasing. Ha. Leaning into it helps. Naming it out loud helps. Reading notes from folks like you helps. Somehow feels a little lighter. I so so so appreciate your reminders here and your kindness, and for being part of this space where we can all just show up as we are. You're a gift, Kelly. Thank you.
This is so awesome.
Thanks, friend. YOU are also awesome.
This is so awesome. You are such an encouragement to literally everyone. We're all holding back a little (or a lot) on releasing our creativity into the world. We have these dreams, passions, desires, and we form them into plans sometimes, and then the plan comes apart at the seams quite often, but thank you for reminding us to get out behind the mask, starting sharing our wonder and magic with the world (re-enchantment anyone?) and become a little more who we were meant to be. And then share that with the world.
Thanks. No, YOU are awesome. And so on. ;)
I meant to write a 'better' comment than "this is so awesome" but it was very late at night and I just wanted to get something down to express appreciation. Here's an updated comment:
{Raises hand enthusiastically!} I had both jaw joints replaced two years ago. Between the swelling and my altogether new facial structure, I’ve learned that (especially living in the age of selfies and zoom calls) SO much is focused on our faces. The world asks, “Who are you if not the face shaped icon on your profile picture?”
It’s wild and I have body dysmorphia forever but also 100% here for anyone wanting to have a conversation about how a face is you but also not.
Cheers.
What a profound and *very real* observation ... the world DOES act like our face is what defines us. Well said. Like if our face shifts, we have to totally renegotiate who we are and what we bring to the world. My little ongoing existential crisis has grown from much of that. I'm so grateful you'd share a bit of your story with me. I'm encouraged by knowing that your journey is one you're navigating with such honesty and humor. "A face is you, but also not." That's gonna stick with me, friend.
Once again, you've written a post that I can easily identify with as I have been battling vocal dystonia for the last few years and spend a lot of time waiting for my voice to be "perfect" to socialize, work, and even talk on the phone. You have inspired me to stop waiting!
Terri. I can only imagine the challenges with vocal dystonia, not only on your voice but on all the other things in your life. Thank you for feeling as though you can share about it here. Deeply honored. Your voice matters... written, spoken, felt. All of it. Thank YOU
Hi Brad, sorry to hear about your misadventures! In the puffy-eyed photo, you look like my son's face after we came back from a week-end in the country in early June when mosquitoes and black flies are particularly voracious! Talk about allergies! When I was a kid, if I had to attend an event where there were going to be many people I didn't know, I would start to sneeze and sneeze some more or start coughing and had to leave and go to the bath room or drink some water. Instead of remaining unnoticed, the contrary would happen! My dad would throw up every morning before going to work until the doctor asked him about his job. He was working as a welfare agent and it turned out, he couldn't bear seeing misery and poverty and violence on a daily basis and it was making him sick. He changed job and all was well. Maybe in your case the stress of doing all the live events and the pressure of being perfect started triggering the allergy-like symptoms? I don't know if you have ever heard of EFT (tapping for short) ? As you tap on various acupuncture points, you state what is your problem, and the tapping helps lower your stress and often the symptoms disappear with a bit of practice. Check out The Tapping Solution or Nick Ortner and try it out. I am not affiliated with them, I just love their app and how much better I feel because of it. I can feel from what you write and draw that you are a very sensitive person, so you have to take special care of your emotional side. We need more people like you so don't let stress or pressure to be perfect get you down! Sending you good positive vibes!
I'm blown away by your thoughtful sharing here. Truly. Thank you. so much wisdom. It does feel like our bodies sometimes stage full-on protests when we're under stress! Your dad's story really hit me. How wild that his body literally couldn't stomach his job. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if my own body is just filing some kind of long overdue complaint. Haven't tried tapping. Am intrigued, though! I've heard from friends who've sought out similar paths and had positive results. So fascinating. Thank you for the kind reminder to care for the emotional side of all these things. So easy to overlook. Big gratitude (and no mosquitoes) your way, friend! Thank you for being here.
I love your words. I often share the words you say and feel as they are a mirroring of my own thoughts and feelings. So I guess that's my way of hiding, instead of writing my own words. Sorry you've been on this mystery train💗
Laurie!!! thank you. And hey... I think sharing words that resonate with you isn't hiding, it's recognizing. you're finding reflections of your own heart and purpose and saying "YES!" That's not nothing! Grateful for your words that found me today.
What a completely wonderful, honest, vulnerable letter Brad. Please don't hide, imperfectly perfect puffy eyes showing up is what we need. And what wonder created in the comments too. A collection of perfectly imperfect humans with lumps and bumps and puffy bits and saggy bits and spotty bits, and oddly coloured bits ✨💛
All the bits! Emily, thank you. It has been a JOURNEY! Encouraged to know I'm far from alone, though. The comments here and my inbox have been full of fellow funky faced folks - including a few with the exact same condition! feeling like I should've shared this a *loooong* time ago. Thanks for being wonderful weirdly you.
I get it. But please don't hide. We need your light! ✨✨
Thank you, Nancy! Encouraging words like yours help keep me courageous. Grateful for *your* light.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It really touched me & was a good reminder to stop hiding behind perfectionism. Just showing up *deep breath*
Quinn, YES! You are so on the right track. Breathe. Show up. You as you! Right here with you.