DECEMBER 2025

H0LL0WZINE

H0LL0WZINE

SNOW SNOW ANGELS D E C E M B E R

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DID YOU KNOW? THERE ARE HYPERLINKS ON EVERY PAGE OF THE ZINE! TAP THE PAGES TO FIND ARTISTS’ SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES & OTHER ONLINE RESOURCES.

D E C E M B E R

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H0LL0W ZINE A CREATIVE COLLECTIVE

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COVER PHOTO & PHOTO SPREADS

BY MAJESSTIQ

H0LL0WZINE D E C E M B E R

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

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Art by @gelatojane

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Art by @ophelialike

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Art by @majesstiq

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Art by @sourbabybandicooter

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Art by @mcmakinpoems

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New Music from @mikegoodfm

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The COMFORT ZONE: Navigating Transitions and Change

FROZEN BY @GELATOJANE lady of stone, she stood above me softly humming my name. a euphonic melody, bleeding calligraphy a hollow tomb, all the same reach for my palm, scratch at my limbs, shred me until there’s no hurt. cry me an ocean, drown me in cities pull me from under this dirt. lady of stone, she wept for me, until the air grew cold. snow piled upon her wings, blood leaking from her hands, so she laid next to me. and we slept for an eternity.

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ART BY @GELATOJANE 2

ODE BY

TO

ANITA

@OPHELIALIKE

the paint stain on my coat is blue; a memory of you chubby cheeked and fearless with a craft, your perfect little laugh. ephemera like snow angels that disappear with time; these markings serve as memories of moments you were mine. so I hold them close, I hold them tight and watch you grow too fast; they will always be part of me but snow angels never last.

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PHOTOGRAPHY

BY 4

@OPHELIALIKE

ART BY MAJESSTIQ

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Photography by @majesstiq Edited by @sourbabybandicooter

ART BY @MCMAKINPOEMS

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MUSIC BY @MIKEGOODFM Listen to the song Last Night here!

ARTIST STATEMENT: I am a diagnosed schizoaffective for the past 4 years, but that doesn’t keep me from working in the trades industry to support my songwriting endeavors! Come see me every Wednesday night open mic at Fran’s.

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WELCOME TO THE COMFORT ZONE, WHERE WE PROVIDE DISCUSSIONS AND RESOURCES RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH. TOPIC OF THE MONTH: NAVIGATING TRANSITIONS AND CHANGE

TRANSITIONS FOR NEURODIVERGENT FOLKS For many neurodivergent adults, transitions represent a moment of cognitive disruption that requires significant mental energy to navigate. Autistic individuals often experience heightened difficulty with transitions due to executive functioning challenges, preference for predictability, and the cognitive load required to shift from one mental framework to another. ADHD adults may struggle with transitions differently, finding it hard to disengage from current activities (especially if hyperfocused) or to initiate the next task due to executive dysfunction. Additionally, transitions often involve uncertainty about what comes next, which can trigger anxiety and require additional emotional regulation. Major life transitions—such as changing jobs, moving homes, relationship changes, or shifts in routine— can be exponentially more challenging, sometimes triggering burnout or mental health crises if not managed with appropriate support and accommodations.

WHY DOES IT MATTER? The difficulty with transitions isn't about being inflexible or resistant to change; it's a neurological reality that deserves recognition and accommodation. Many neurodivergent adults have internalized shame about their transition difficulties, having been told throughout their lives to "just adapt" or "go with the flow." However, research shows that providing transition supports—such as advance notice, visual schedules, transition rituals, and time buffers between activities—can significantly reduce the stress and cognitive load associated with changes. Learning to advocate for transition accommodations in work and personal life, while developing personalized strategies that work with rather than against your neurology, can dramatically improve daily functioning and overall wellbeing.

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CHECK OUT WOLPE ET AL.'S 2025 ARTICLE ABOUT THE TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD

T H IS A R T IC L E

BY BÖ E T A L. P R O V ID L T E C ONTE ES XT ON C A R EER TR A NS IT IO N S F O NEUR O D IV E R G R E N T E M PLO Y EES.

TOPIC OF THE MONTH: NAVIGATING TRANSITIONS AND CHANGE

CHANGE PREPARATION TOOLKIT WORKSHEET Use this worksheet to prepare for an upcoming transition or change.

Fill it out in advance to reduce anxiety and increase your sense of control.

This toolkit works for both small daily transitions (switching tasks, leaving the house) and major life changes (new job, moving, relationship changes). Adjust the depth of your responses based on the scale of the transition.

WHAT TYPE OF TRANSITION ARE YOU PREPARING FOR?

UNDERSTANDING THE TRANSITION What is changing?

☐ Daily/Small (task switching, leaving home, etc.)

☐ Medium (schedule change, social event, appointment)

What is staying the same?

☐ Major (job change, move, relationship change, etc.)

WHEN WILL THIS TRANSITION OCCUR? Date: Time:

How much control do you have over this transition?

Think of similar transitions you’ve experienced in the past. What challenges do you anticipate? Consider sensory, social, cognitive, or routine disruptions.

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CHANGE PREPARATION TOOLKIT WORKSHEET Consider what information you need before the transition. What questions do you need answered? What details would help you feel more prepared?

WOULD VISUAL AIDS HELP?

What small ritual or bridging activity could mark the end of the old and beginning of the new? ☐ Music playlist ☐ Object to carry ☐ Grounding exercise ☐ Goodbye ritual ☐ Other:

☐ Written schedule or timeline ☐ Checklist of steps ☐ Map or photos of new location ☐ Visual timer ☐ Social story or script ☐ Other:

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Who can support you through this transition? What do they need to know about your needs?

☐ Extra time/buffer period ☐ Advance notice of next steps ☐ Reduce other responsibilities ☐ Quiet time before/after ☐ Comfort Items or fidgets ☐ Stimming ☐ Other:

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CHANGE PREPARATION TOOLKIT WORKSHEET COPING STATEMENTS

REGULATING ACTIVITIES FOR RECOVERY

Fill in the blank: "I have successfully navigated _____________ before."

"It's okay that this feels hard.

Transitions are _____________ for my brain."

"I don't have to have everything figured out. I just need to _____________."

"Even if this feels uncomfortable at first, I can _____________."

"What I know for certain is _____________."

☐ Breathing/grounding exercise ☐ Stimming ☐ Music or sound therapy ☐ Physical movement or exercise ☐ Engage with a special interest ☐ Sensory comfort items ☐ Other:

RECOVERY PLAN:

Now try creating your own!

What will you need after this change?

Take time to reflect on the transition afterward. How did It go? Did these strategies help?

How will you know if you are struggling, and what will you do?

Is there anything you would do differently next time?

What did you learn about yourself?

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