H 0 L L 0 W Z I N E H 0 L L 0 W Z I N E
SNAKE BITES SNAKE BITES J U N E 2 0 2 5 SNAKE BITES
A Snake Sheds Its Skin by majesstiq A Snake Sheds Its Skin by majesstiq
ASnakeShedsItsSkin,
Lettingnewlovein.
Italwaystakes
Tilltheendofthegame
Tofindoutifyouwin, Andatransformation
Won’tbesuchatransformation
Ifyouknowtheending
Beforeyoubegin.
Lettingnewlovein, ASnakeShedsItsSkin.
GELATOjANE
Venom by GELATOjANE Venom by
a touch of death
intertwined with my veins
so i scratched and i clawed i tore and i gnawed
if only i could remove my skin if only i were brave enough to relapse again just to carve their hands away
so i drank and i drank drowned myself til i sank if only i could wash them away, if i could pour this venom from my veins, release myself from their fangs
a sting i know all too well
My Biters by Ryan Freshhh My Biters
by Ryan Freshhh
To my own chagrin and my dentist’s delight, I grind my teeth in my sleep. Wait, that’s not entirely true. I also grind my teeth when I’m awake. I don’t have a very good coping mechanism for stress since becoming sober over a decade ago, so I clench my jaw and my biters pay the price.
Unsurprisingly, I also have a fascination with teeth as art. I have dental molds in my office that adorn my desk so as to say “yo, I’m waiting for your set here.” Maybe that’s the key: stresses of life be damned, eventually, this mortal coil expires, and our ground down chompers ends us as displays on some idiot’s desk.
by Roe
Knows Best & MAUCH
album art by Em Noll & Keith Williams
For fans of... Archers of Loaf, John Cozz, LKFFCT, Cobra Starship, Jonas Brothers, Klaxons, The Bravery, Jawbreaker, Basement LISTEN HERE or scan the
LYRICS - FRIENDS WITH ALIENS
“I GOT A FEVER FOR NON-BELIEVERS LOOKING AT AIRPLANES IN THE SKY / I COULD CONVINCE YOU OF MY EXISTENCE BUT I KIND OF LIKE THE GAME OF... / OH, HIDE AND SEEK. COME FIND ME, OR I’LL COME FIND YOU IN THE NIGHT / AND TAKE YOU ABOARD MY FUTURE SPACESHIP / AND BLAST US OFF INTO THE SKY / CUZ DON’T YOU WANT TO BE FRIENDS WITH ALIENS? / I’D BE SO COOL TO TAKE YOU TO MY HOME PLANET AND RUN EXPERIMENTAL TESTS...! / (THAT LAST PART, FORGET IS SAID IT!) / MEET ME IN THE FOREST WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN / FOLLOW MY LIGHT AND I’LL BEAM YOU OFF OF THE GROUND / (BEAM YOU OFF OF THE GROUND, BEAM YOU OFF OF THE GROUND!)”
ROE KNOWS BEST
is a singer-songwriter who has been studying music since age 14. Her direct yet deeply emotional lyrics and catchy riffs carry on the tradition of New Jersey pop punk from a fresh, clear-minded point of view.
LINKTREE
MAUCH
aka Max Rauch played a foundational role in the band LKFFCT, Washington Square Pa and Tourmaline. He often suppo fellow artists with his skills an experience, from record labels recording studios.
painting by @annelisesart painting by @annelisesart
Follow @annelisesart on instagram if you find solace in creativity, believe in the magic of making, or are curious about the connection between mental health and art.
painting by @majesstiq painting by @majesstiq
Welcome to The Comfort Zone, where we provide discussions and resources related to mental health.
Topic of the Month: Anger Management
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY & NEURODIVERGENCE
There are many cultural stereotypes that circulate around the way neurodivergent people experience and express our emotions. Labels like “too sensitive” or “too much” are often applied to individual people, while popular discourses teach our communities when it is or isn’t appropriate to “crash out,” aka meltdown.
If these concepts are so widely understood, perhaps it is also possible to spread awareness of how and why meltdowns happen, as well as how to prevent and deescalate them. Research shows that neurodivergent adults experience greater emotional intensity and difficulty with emotional self-regulation. This can be due to higher levels of brain activity at rest and other aspects of neurodivergence such as: sensory issues, delayed processing, loss of control, and rejection sensitivity.
AUTISM, ADHD, & ANGER
Meltdowns and suicidality can be shameful to discuss, but they are common experiences for neurodivergent adults. There can be serious consequences if we do not learn to keep ourselves and others safe. There is no simple way to “prevent” meltdowns, and avoiding triggers can make them worse. With a combination of psychoeducation about these topics and the gradual development of emotional regulation skills, tolerance to distress can be developed.
HERE’SARESOURCE FORDEALINGWITH NEURODIVERGENT ANGER
The next page has some tips to help get you started on this journey.
Anger Management Exercises
Here are some suggestions for coping with intense anger:
TRIGGER
Sensory overload
Witnessing an injustice towards yourself or others.
COPING TECHNIQUE
Cool down by holding ice or taking a cold shower
Hyperfixating or obsessive thoughts
Unexpected changes or loss of control
High reactivity to startling noises and movements
Anxiety leading to insomnia, poor appetite, etc.
Verbally process your emotions with a trusted friend or therapist.
Mindfulness exercises to stay present in the moment (e.g. 5 things you see, 4 things you hear...)
Slow things down with breathing exercises and co-regulating with others
Exercise regularly to strengthen heart muscles and lower anxiety
Work through anxiety in therapy while prioritizing taking care of physical needs.