This Is Not a Drill: A Collection of Survival Tips That May or May Not Actually Work - Erin White

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This Is Not a Drill: A Collection of Survival Tips That May or May Not Actually Work

Depression, anxiety, burnout. These are the clouds that cast shadows on our sunny dispositions. “Sometimes everything is crap, and that’s OK,” writes author Erin N. White in her debut book, This Is Not a Drill: A Collection of Survival Tips That May or May Not Actually Work.

Originally created as a handmade book for her teenager, White’s updated version is more of an adult-oriented guide to navigating those clouds that come to bear and seeing the glimmers of gold among the grey. This Is Not a Drill offers genuine advice, coming from a place of mental health awareness and self-care, wrapped up with a little humour.

White admits that she’s by no means an expert, but the sweet and sometimes snarky tips have served her well when “nothing makes sense, and everything is confusing AF.” The slim volume with the author’s original illustrations offers a world of wonder and points to ponder, like that chickens are descendants of T-Rex. Above all, it makes you recognize that you can’t fix everything and that the most important part of falling down is the getting back up again.

At its core, This Is Not a Drill is based on the author’s own experience with depression and anxiety and learning how to navigate life while watching her amazing, kind, and talented kiddo endure the same challenges. Having a creative outlet has been a key part of Erin White’s mental health journey. Her strong sense of self-awareness and humour complement each other in a way that she hopes will speak to others who struggle and help realize they are not alone.

Erin N. White lives Hamilton, Ontario, with her family and trio of dogs.