TL;DR: Adapting to medicine + COVID made returning this month impossible. I'll return next week with 3 chapters/week. No patrons will be charged on July 1st. I'm sorry.

So, here's the update on everything going on with my mental health.

As most of you know, I started my treatment taking a bit of anxiety medicine, then I took 2 doses of 5mg of ADHD medicine per day (so, 10mg/day).

Let me tell you about the ADHD medicine: it's magical. It's like the world was black and white before, but now it has colors. I can do most of the stuff I couldn't before, I can prioritize most of my tasks, I can function.

It's weird to think everyone works like this all the time. It's so awesome!

And yet, that wasn't enough to help with my focus at work.

3 weeks ago, the doctor increased the dosage to 40mg/day. It was still not enough, but it was helping somewhat. I wrote half a chapter and was ready to force myself to do more.

Unfortunately, right by that time, I had COVID (for the 3rd time).

It hit me hard, and it took 12 days to go away. It also interfered with other activities that were improving my health and well-being, like weightlifting. Only this Monday (June 27th) did I get better.

Also, in part because I was doing way too much stuff (like helping in the house, actually talking to people and so on), and in part because of COVID, I didn't start the cognitive behavioral therapy yet.

Moreover, the anxiety medicine was having adverse effects. I stopped taking it last Thursday (on the doctor orientation) and I'm seeing improvements.

Anyway, I feel ready to push myself to work regardless of how... Let's say "not great" I feel about forcing it.

Don't get me wrong, merely being ready for that is good!

On other venues or approach, I'll meet the doctor again in 1 hour, and the medicine will also be adjusted again.

Aaaaaand, I'll do the first therapy session in 3 hours.

All in all, things are looking bright. I actually miss writing, which is awesome. I want to tell you all Shen's story, and maybe even some others.

Yet, I'm afraid of doing too much, and I felt forced to make a decision I really didn't want to: I'll decrease the release rate.

Starting next week, Monday, July 4th, I'll release 3 chapters per week, Mon/Wed/Fri.

Don't worry if you don't want to support me with that release schedule (I totally get it, no hard feelings). If you're already a patron, you won't be charged on July 1st, and at least you'll get access to July chapters.

This is the least I can do, but also all I can do. I find myself incapable of seeing a better solution, and I deeply apologize.

I also want to thank you all for all the support and care you have been showing. I'm a reader too and I know how much it sucks to have a story stop coming, even when there's good reason for that. Yet, the support I received was overwhelming.

Thank you all.

I have the best readers.

See you on Monday.