We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ari B. Cofer. Check out our conversation below.
Ari B., a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Three of my best friends are writers, and each week, we meet on Zoom to chat, write, workshop, and everything in between. Nothing beats spending time with writing community, and I’m so lucky that my closest writing community doubles as some of the people I love most in the world. The hardest I laugh each week is with them, and I’m always looking forward to our Tuesday night calls.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an author who is passionate about storytelling and advocacy work, specifically as it relates to mental health. I’ve published two poetry collections with Central Avenue Publishing, and have one forthcoming in 2027 that centers on my relationship to my chronic pain, mental health recovery, and intimacy in both friendships and relationships. I also love building and fostering community; I cohost writing retreats alongside one of my closest friends, Caitlin Conlon, to provide new and experienced writers a safe space to explore craft and build relationships with other writers.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Lately, I’ve found myself at this crossroad between who I was when I was at the darkest parts of my depression and the person I’ve become as I continue through my recovery process. As a writer who started their career by primarily exploring my experiences with depression and suicidality, at times, I have wondered if I will still have a story worth telling if I’m no longer the worst version of myself. But, I’m learning that in order to keep growing — as a person, and as a writer — I need to let go of that version of myself. “Sad Ari” will always be there; I can never divorce from depression no matter how hard I try, even if I find myself in a period of remission. What I experienced as a result of my journey with mental health will always be a central part of my story, even if it’s not the story. I am endlessly grateful to the person I used to be, but they have served their purpose. I need to let her go so that I can be who I am now, and believe that I will still have a story worth telling despite not living through the worst of it.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell her that it’s actually so cool and not embarrassing at all that she wrote essays and poems and fanfiction in her free time.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Community, shopping local, my spouse, my pets, and the coming of age trope in film and literature. I probably talk about those topics more than I talk about anything else (and bless them for listening every single time).
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
It’s cliche, but caring what people think about what I’m writing or who I’m writing about. There’s a writing tip — I’m not quite sure who to attribute it to because I’ve seen different people referenced when I look it up — that says something along the lines of, “write as if everyone you know is dead.” I’ve made a lot of progress writing as if everyone I know will still love me anyway, even if I create something that makes them feel uncomfortable. But even in that, there’s some self-censorship. I often wonder what my work would look like if I didn’t hold back at all, and (with kindness, always). So, if I knew I had ten years left, I’d probably stop doing that, because there would be no point!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://aribcofer.com
- Instagram: @ari.b.cofer
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ari.b.cofer
Image Credits
Luis Quiroz, Kayla Simon, Caroline Catlin
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