Meet Morgan Phillippi

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Morgan Phillippi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Morgan, we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

The short answer to this question is ‘through support and community’. Depression and anxiety are masters of isolation, and so through seeking support and being honest in my relationships in order to build stronger community I am, for the first time in my life, properly diagnosed and medicated with a loving and kind support system around me.

Like many undiagnosed neurodivergent children, I had a difficult childhood. We just didn’t know back then that there are entire areas of the autism spectrum that are low-support-need. We didn’t know what it looked like, especially in young girls (although I identify as genderqueer now). Unfortunately for me, not having knowledge of a need for and requiring access to support meant I spent most of my life thinking there was something inherently wrong with me, This opened the door for narcissists and abusive relationships in early adulthood, which had negative impacts on my mental health for years to come.
I’ve had more than one stay in a psychiatric facility in the past decade, but I finally figured out how to ask for help. Due to the CPTSD I eventually developed in my late 20’s, I ended up developing an alcohol addiction. In May of 2023, I decided I had had enough of the turmoil and misery that I had been festering in for years. I made a plan with a dear and trusted friend. They picked me up from my house, drove me to a rehabilitation facility, and waited with me until I could be received. I spent the next 5 weeks away from my husband and surrounded by doctors, peer specialists, and mental health professionals working through the many layers of trauma that the years had blanketed me in. I was able to finally explore proper diagnosing and I had an opportunity to test medication options under careful supervision. I took meticulous notes in our daily classes. I became a devourer of information about my diagnoses. I learned a new meaning of vulnerability. I developed an ability to admit wrongdoing and learned how to hold myself accountable. I learned CBT and DBT skills. I had never had so much support around me in my entire life.

I truly believe my path to discovering myself began in rehab. I took it seriously, took it home with me, and on May 31st, 2024 I celebrated my first year of continued sobriety, Maintaining my support system and my community has been integral in my continued growth and success. I am a member of AA (free group therapy, right?) and through my program I began to foster humility and eradicate my ego. I rediscovered my inner child (and learned to gentle parent them). I started prioritizing what I could do for others rather than focus on what others could do for me. I learned how to be completely and sometimes brutally honest with myself. This meant accepting the fact that I had been a narcissist and abuser of my husband for several years. We chose to do the work and repair our relationship together. Through many long conversations and some guidance from our respective therapists, we are now happier than we have ever been as we prepare to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary at the end of October. He has given me the gift of unconditional love, without which our relationship may not have survived. He is the keystone of my support system, and I will never lack community because I have it in him. These principles and values are why I strive for community-building in my professional endeavors. We’re all so much better when we share and accomplish things together, and creativity is the enemy of apathy. So that’s how I overcame. I found love, support, and friendship. I planted their seeds in my garden, and I’ve been caring for them ever since.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I feel like the phrase, “jack of all trades, master of none,” was made for undiagnosed ADHDers. When it comes to making art, there are few things I have not tried. I graduated from Moore College of Art & Design with a BFA in illustration where we tested out just about every medium there is, from colored pencil to creating digital animations. In my time there I also studied art of India, the history of fashion design, and even web design. This versatile background feeds my business model now, The main focus of my business is crocheted stuffed animals and art dolls. I write my own patterns as well which are available in my shop, and I’ll soon be adding more. I try to build community where all artists can come together and share knowledge and their work in a supportive environment. I believe community and understanding are the cure for the apathetic division in the world, and so I began a series on TikTok called “I Went To Art School So You Don’t Have To” where I share my knowledge and help foster abstract thought and encouragement. I don’t believe art should exist behind a paywall and I want to help people create and express themselves authentically.
My current big project is to write and illustrate a book of cryptid crochet patterns. What’s been fun about the process of designing and making these creatures is that my original concept drawings are made with an illustrative background and so they have a sort of dynamism built right into the design before I even pick up a crochet hook. I have a work history in making concert posters, or gig posters, which I have always loved doing. I have recently begun painting gig posters again with no goal other than helping out local bands by making them cool art and sharing it with their fans. Music has always been heavily represented in my personal art and I love bringing the two passions together. Occasionally I also hand-paint furniture which I sell locally. I have four pieces in my own living room that make me so happy every time I see them. It should be no surprise that my house absolutely looks like an artist lives there. Surrounding myself with whimsical beauty in my daily life helps me spread it into the world.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Learning how I like to learn (mindfulness)
Learning that I do not know everything (humility)
Learning to be patient with myself (serenity)

If you don’t know how to teach yourself, you’re going to have a difficult time excelling in your field. What ever your passion may be, you should know how to learn about it in a way that best suits you so that it doesn’t begin to feel like a burden. We’ve all come across an ineffectual teacher in our lives, but finding a teacher who makes you feel comfortable and supported to explore an area of interest has changed lives. This process starts at home. When you can advocate for yourself, you gain the ability to create a safe environment where ever you are, and it becomes easier for knowledge to be enjoyable rather than cumbersome. Create mindfulness in yourself by becoming your best teacher.

I used to be the type of person to respond, “I know,” to anything someone was trying to teach me. I understand now that this behavior was partially due to my CPTSD, but it was also because my ego was huge. I had to actively practice humility for a long time, but now I approach every day with a curiosity I had when I was little. I ask questions and take the time to listen as well. I am questioning myself in a way that challenges me, rather than making me question my capability. By removing as much ego as possible, I have opened channels to learning and being honest with myself. This helps me stay in touch with my emotions which fuels my artistic process.

One of the best pieces of advice I got in college was that when you have a deadline approaching and you get overwhelmed by it, you can spend 20 minutes crying under your desk if you want to, but that deadline will still be there when you’re done. The work will still be there. So try to take a breath. Collect your thoughts and your to-do list. Start checking things off one by one. Stop putting yourself under so much pressure. Because you can break down about it for as long as you like, but all that work still needs to get done one way or another. I applied this advice to my personal growth journey with much success. I can cry and stress about how much work needs done, or I can start tackling my list part by part. This has helped me maintain a serenity that has reduced my anxiety. I do have severe ADHD, so there is more that goes into this process for me personally such as medication and weekly therapy/skill building, but the concept is still applicable. The only person putting so much pressure on me was myself. Through learning myself, being honest about what I can realistically accomplish, and by adopting a ‘what will be will be’ attitude, I have set myself up with the skills to achieve in a sustainable model of business ownership.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

The two people who have been most instrumental in fostering my personal growth outside of myself would be my husband and my therapist. They have both created environments with me where I feel safe, supported, and feel an appropriate amount of control over situations. My therapist knows just how much to push and challenge me while not invalidating my feelings. I honestly feel like I can take accountability because so much fear has been removed. Through DBT and EMDR, we have built skills I use in my every day life because of their efficacy.
My husband is my best friend in the entire world. He supports me in everything I choose to do, from being a burlesque husband to sacrificing our second bedroom so I can have a home studio. He loves how I decorate our shared spaces and even loved my idea of having a black, Halloween-themed Christmas tree. He talks through all of my ideas with me, rarely complains when I drag him with me buying yarn, and has helped me realize the best versions of myself. We make each other better every day. We laugh together constantly. We are one another’s biggest cheerleaders. Knowing I have him in my corner helps me feel like I can accomplish anything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ko-fi.com/wherethewildthingsyarn
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherethewildthingsyarn
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wherethewildthingsyarn