taking a break

In which John discusses depression, hope, and why he's taking a break from vlogbrothers for the first time in many years.
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[catherinecase]

This video is such a testament to how adept at lying depression is. From my perspective, it is SO obvious that John’s work is a net positive for the world, but if depression can make him doubt that, no wonder it convinces the rest of us sometimes too. John, I pray this time of quiet allows you to hear the tune without the words soon. We’re so grateful for you and all you do.

[heathertaylor]

No one questioned Hank's duties changing when he was sick and needed his job to be his health. RIght now, let your health be your job.
We love you. We will love you quietly through this, and we will love you loudly when you come back.

[sandhillfarmer]

“Everything great feels illusory and everything terrible feels utterly true.” - holy cow this resonates. It’s hard to not just accept what seems true

[sharks]

Take all the time you need John! Sending love

[JoshGammon]

"Despair is a lie. Hopelessness is a lie." - Thank you, John.

[gusberg]

“I don’t know if this is helping anyone.” It’s been helping me a lot for the past 15 years. ❤ Take the time you need, John.

[cluckerino]

Heal well, Internet Dad

You know we'll be here when you're ready, whether that's August, or whenever

[matthewharrington]

Thanks John Green for all the buckets of clean water you've given me.

[rileymurray]

John just delivered a concise and damning indictment of depression and meaninglessness before the world, **while suffering through part of his brain feeding him the very same lies from depression.**

That’s so fucking metal.

[hayleywatson]

Take all the time you need, John. In the river I used to go to as a kid, people would make a ring of stones around an area of shallow water to help that area be warmer. You are not dumping clean water into bad water, you and Hank built an area where the water was better, our own ring of stones in the river. The river keeps flowing, but it doesn't move the stones. Nerdfighteria will be here when you're ready, because we're here.

[susannebrorby]

Fill your bucket with clean water and drink long and deep, John. 17 years is a long time in a career, and an ETERNITY for the internet. Your work has brought public awareness to how pervasive, yet treatable TB is in underdeveloped/underserved parts of the world, and so many of us connect deeply with your books. Your candor is refreshing and POSITIVE. I have no doubt that Nerdfighteria will be holding you up and ready to support you no matter what you end up doing.

[zacotero]

As an occupant of a world that almost lost Hank Green, I can verify that the world also desperately needs John Green.
So I implore you to take whatever steps you deem necessary to preserve John Green.
We'll be here when you get back.

[antimonyparanoia]

John,

you aren't dumping a bucket of clean water into the toxic lake, you are saving star fish. The number of sea stars that wash ashore may look insurmountable but tossing even one back into the ocean is still saving a life, it matters to that one
i hope your break lets you refresh and come back twice as strong, we will all be waiting for you

sincerely,
one little sea star

[TheDragonOfWhi]

There is a hospital in the world because of John.
No matter what depress says; there is one more hospital in the world.

[Carrie]

“No simple story can ever be true, and there is no simpler story than ‘nothing means anything.’” 🔥

[Skibbityboo]

"Hope sings the tune without words, and never stops...at all"

I want to scream this at my brain too, John.

[oliviamcdougall]

One thing that helps many of my clients is the mantra “You’ve survived 100% of your bad days.”
Please take care, we are rooting for you

[himynameisnickolas]

“Even despair eventually exhausts itself” You won’t feel this way forever and when you are ready, we will still be here, ready.

[nerdyarlequinz]

Anyone else feel like we were on the beach of that toxic lake and John gave the buckets of water directly to us? Also sandwiches and sunscreen?

[calvinball]

I can't tell you how many times I've told people the good news from Vlogbrothers
- Infant mortality has declined over time.
- Many people are banding together to cure the world's most deadly disease even though it mostly impacts poor people.
- Companies cab be wildly successful even if they are non profit.
- Treating people with compassion can be a road to success
- It's OK to be silly while doing important work.

And some of these things sometimes absolutely change a person's world-view. News and social media absolutely want us to believe that the world only gets worse, and the only thing we can do about it is come back later and get shocked about it again. It's so important to have the reality of good news and community have real voices.