Mini Zine Review: A Visitor In Myself #2

A Visitor In Myself #2
Nichole
www.collectingwords.etsy.com

This is one of those zines where there are so many things I want to talk about that I feel like I have to control myself lest I leave no surprises for potential readers. Haha.

A Visitor In Myself #2 is a zine written by the same Nichole who writes the Pieces series (reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). She is a perzine writer who lets me enjoy one of the best things about zines: realising you are not alone. Her writing style is introspective and thoughtful while still inviting you along to think about her life along with her. If you were sitting having a cuppa with her, you would feel more than welcome to add your thoughts to hers.

She talks about things like connecting to people on her own terms, alcohol, and expressing her needs. There is also a time gap part way through that gives her the chance to reflect a little on the things she wrote before, which adds an interesting dynamic. The different subjects are like snippets but still manage to be complete.

She also talks a little bit about dissociation (“Dissociation is a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity.” – Better Health Victoria), and I couldn’t help but wonder if that is the story behind the title. I do love it when there are layers of meaning in things.

There is a very beautiful moment in this zine when, amongst the doubt and confusion, she writes about a moment of such clarity and strength that I wanted to say, “There! Look! Look what you did!” I identify so much with a lot of her anxieties that reading about a moment of saying, “Please don’t contact me anymore” to someone who was important (that I haven’t even read about) made me feel like celebrating that moment for her. I don’t even know if she realises…

On the experience side beyond the content (because I almost always have to mention it)…

I like her cut and paste style. She always includes things like patterned borders and images here and there, but it never feels like too much or takes away from the text. Text that is typed on a typewriter – a little addition that I love (and am a smidge jealous of). Her zines are also machine sewn, which looks good and is great at keeping the zines together.

All up, I sense another zine series that I’ll have to get my hands on.