I Finally Distributed My Zines (Here's How It Went Down)

It was towards the end of 2024. I was staring at my zine outline, feeling stuck, when I pulled up CatMothCrow on YouTube (Hi Dayna!). I needed some inspiration for my zine-making practice. I was working hard to finish my very special zine, MotherBody #1, with a handful of others sitting on the back burner. I wanted MotherBody to be the first I actually finished because the content was still so fresh in my mind - I was one year postpartum at the time. But I knew the next one had to be The Hermit's Ledge...

Through Dayna's videos, I found Anna Jo Beck's Zine-A-Month Patreon. I subscribed to get zines sent to my mailbox - the variety of content Anna distributed seemed refreshing. I love snail mail and zines so of course!

In early 2025, Anna opened up submissions for the year's zine season. I immediately submitted my idea for The Hermit's Ledge as the December 2025 zine. I wanted December because the topic overlapped with the winter solstice and it would give me 10 months to work on my first distributed zine.

I was ecstatic that Anna liked my idea, so I set a goal to complete it by the end of October 2025. Little did I know that October would be a crazy month for me, but that's for another day. Long story short... I did it! Over the 10 months there were many times I felt like I couldn't accomplish my goal.

Would I be happy with it? Would I print enough copies on time? Would anyone else even like it?

The neuro-divergent ADHD perfectionist in me struggled hard, but once it all started to come together, I knew I had to finish it. I didn't have an option - this had to be the debut for all the hard work and creative practice I put into developing The Hermit's Ledge.

MotherBody issue #1 came together emotional and messy, combining bits of my story from over the years. The Hermit's Ledge was intentional from the start with a clear direction. The story actually began back in February 2024 - more than a year and a half of development before I finally held the finished product. Seeing the printed zines sitting in stacks like little towers around my living room was deeply satisfying. I felt proud of myself for actually achieving my goal - finishing it, printing it, and distributing my first zine through Zine-A-Month.

2025 was a huge year for me creatively. I proved to myself that I can create the art I dream of. This zine represents my 30th year, which was also a huge turning point for me in many ways. I now believe people when they say 30 is the new 20!

I sought professional help for my undiagnosed ADHD at 29 years old in 2024. Without the bravery and vulnerability I showed during that time, I wouldn't have accomplished everything I did in 2025. For anyone else with ADHD trying to finish creative projects, know that getting support made all the difference for me.

Outside of zine making, here are some of my favorite things from 2025:

I travelled to Mineral Wells, Texas for a week of Certified Interpretive Guide training. This experience deepened my passion for the National Park Service and interpretive writing. Even though I no longer work at a park, I want to continue studying the art of interpretation and stay in the field after I finish my master's degree.

I purchased a Switch Lite in January and started playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I wasn't really a gaming person before I turned 30, but now that I know how great cozy games are, I'm never going back. I love my teal Switch Lite because it gives me Y2K GameBoy vibes. I also recently purchased the Animal Crossing edition Switch, and no, I'm not getting a Switch 2 just yet.

I started a small worm farm at work and at home. I love worm composting and think it's perfect for people who love paper crafting. I have so many boxes full of paper scraps that I didn't want to throw in the trash. Using them for my worm bins is the perfect solution. And my daughter loves feeding them like they're our tiny little pets. Don't worry, I'm working on a zine about it!

Today is the last day of 2025 and my 31st birthday is in two days on January 2nd. If you can't tell, I'm super pumped for 2026 and my 31st year of life.

Thanks for being here,

-Kylie

A Question to Contemplate

What unexpected hobby or interest did you pick up this year that changed your daily life?

For my fellow ADHD creatives, what systems or support helped you actually complete a project you're proud of?

Share your thoughts in a comment below!