Welcome to “This is Personal.” Because this is personal. The experience of motherhood is very personal. But also, as I’ve learned in my 8 years of being a mother, so many parts of motherhood that feel like they’re unique to me and my situation are actually *quite* universal.
In this newsletter we’ll explore the more personal (and also universal?) side of motherhood through exclusive autobiographical comics, writing, and of course, community.
Why a newsletter?
I was originally inspired to start making autobiographical comics because I was frustrated, overwhelmed, and exhausted. I was SO sick of feeling alone in motherhood (despite having a loving partner) and I often felt anxious and angry.
[At the time I called this anger “postpartum rage,” but I’ve come to realize that it’s actually very justified rage that stems from a system and a society that tells women they can “do it all” but then doesn’t support them in doing much of anything…while also telling their husbands that they’re doing an amazing job even when they’re simply doing the bare minimum. Like I was saying: it makes me mad.]
So I started making comics about motherhood as a therapeutic outlet for my frustration and they slowly began to catch on. I made a new Instagram account called @momlife_comics and it began to get some traction. Then one of my comics went viral (so exciting!) and trolls came after me (not exciting!) and they were horrible and blah blah blah I had to stop being so personal on my Instagram feed because I didn’t want the trolls to come after me and my family. Duh.
But where have I always gotten most of my inspiration for my comics (and before that, for my blog)? My personal life. That’s what I love sharing and that’s where this Substack comes into play: I wanted a safe space (alway from the misogynistic trolls) to go deeper and talk about my personal experiences with the people who get it.
This newsletter will focus on household inequality and being the default parent, the carrier of the mental load, and a woman—married to a man—trying to raise good people in a patriarchal society. Through personal, autobiographical comics (and writing) we will explore these subjects in depth and connect over our shared frustrations (and hopefully, solutions!) when it comes to motherhood and marriage.
Oof, it’s a lot.
Why subscribe?
Because you’re a woman, a mom, or a supporter of women + moms who wants to explore these subjects in more depth with me. Because you want to laugh, because you want to feel less alone, because you’re looking for a community of like-minded people off of social media, because you want to support my work, because even though you already have too many emails in your inbox this feels like one that you’d actually look forward to reading (I promise you will!). PLUS you get a lot of great content! Like…
FREE SUBSCRIBERS ($0/month) get access to:
1 new exclusive autobiographical comic per month (not shared to IG!)
Monthly newsletter containing curated lists of the simple pleasures that are bringing me joy (#simplejoysoftheweek for OGs!)
PAYING SUBSCRIBERS ($5/month or $55/year) receive all of the above AND:
4 new exclusive, autobiographical comics per month (1 per week, none of which are shared elsewhere)
Q&As and community conversations
Conversations in the comment section of the newsletters
1 Podcast episode per month {featuring me and my husband talking about some of the topics covered in my comics}
My gratitude! Because being a subscriber means that you believe in me and my work and that means the world to me.
FOUNDING MEMBERS ($150/year) receive all of the above AND:
A 10” x 10” print of any of my 1-panel comics that speak to you
This option is designed for people who want to support my work at the highest level and for that, I am so, so, so thankful!
No matter what kind of subscriber you are, I am so glad you’re here. Thank you.
About Me
I am a mother-of-two and a graphic designer, illustrator, yoga teacher, and the artist behind the Instagram account @momlife_comics. My work focuses on the challenges of marriage, motherhood, double standards, and inequality in both the household and the workplace. I am passionate about speaking up for women and bringing awareness to the mental load + invisible labor of motherhood.
I’m originally from Atlanta, GA, but now live in Cape Cod, MA with my family and my son’s large collection of plastic dinosaurs. My first book, a graphic memoir entitled Mama Needs a Minute! came out in March, 2025.
THANK YOU AGAIN for being here!
xo
Mary Catherine
