Boop the Void was born out of decades of struggle and the innate need for (yet lack of) belonging. I understand the sorrows and frustrations of feeling like an island, too complex and broken to ever be understood or fully known. And this is no surprise: in an increasingly dystopian society dominated by the pursuit of traditional success and the appearance of a perfect life, many of us—especially within the LGBTQ+ sphere—have struggled to survive, causing a sense of personal failure and social isolation hidden behind closed doors (closeted doors, if you will). In short, too many of us feel uniquely and irreparably flawed.

This is exactly what the system wants: citizens who feel broken, burnt out, and ultimately alone. The “divide and conquer” strategy is one of the oldest tricks in the book, fueled by the narrative that our issues are individual instead of systemic. It is no accident that millions of us are hanging by a thread while the privileged few hoard wealth and power to maintain hegemonic control.

While my products are mostly silly and unserious, they are rooted in this question: What could happen if we fostered conversations about collective struggle and our shared existence? When you see my coloring books and stickers, I hope you feel seen and understood in your lived experiences. I hope you realize your emotions are not just valid but also shared by others near and far. I don’t want you to feel pressured to act happy or to find the silver lining; instead, here you will find acceptance in a non-judgmental space where struggles don’t isolate but rather act as bridges of connection!