.png)
Reflections of June 2026
- Darlynne Overbaugh
- Jun 30
- 4 min read
The question of "How are you doing?" is a loaded one. In the last six months, when people ask me this question, my typical response is either "I am doing all the things" or "I'm doing" because to say "I'm Okay" or "I'm Good" is a hollow and misleading response. Honestly, I am not Okay or Good. Setting aside the overwhelming amount of problems in the world at large, I have a significant amount of responsibilities and issues that are impossible to encapsulate in a one or two word answer. If I attempt to discuss my issues, it quickly turns into an over sharing fiesta that scares people off. Most people are just trying to be polite.
Without sharing details, I can best describe my life at the moment as being a rock stuck in a hard place and the hard place is disguised as the Good Place but really is the Bad Place. This post isn't entirely a public therapy session but it is important to me to share that my life is not picture perfect and that fan culture often helps me navigate my feelings, emotions and creative needs. When I engage in fan culture communities, there's always something that helps me look differently at the world or my own situations.
For instance, at the beginning of June, I took my daughter to see The Amazing Digital Circus finale in theatres. She is a fan of the show so I wanted to support her fandom and I enjoyed the opportunity to support new creators, especially as they redefine the entertainment landscape. The cosplay and enthusiasm at the show was incredible and all I kept thinking and feeling as I left the theatre was: "The Kids Are Going to be Just Fine". We need to get out of the way and give new creators the space and support to let them cook! The whole month my TikTok feed has been filled with people's reaction videos (spoiler free I might add). The best videos in my opinion are the ones that showcase the simple bus stop slowly becoming a fan art shrine not just because it was part of the finale show but because the fans see/feel the meaning of the location within the story.
The following week, I surprised my husband with a mystery date night to see Lucy Darling live in Syracuse. He had never seen her videos but I had a feeling he would enjoy her comedy/magic and performance style as much as I do. I was right; he did enjoy it! The 2,000 seat theatre was packed with people who thoroughly enjoyed it as well. I haven't felt that connected with a group of strangers in a long time. People were complimenting one another on their fashion, helping people take photos with the fun props in the lobby and overall just having a great time. Lucy even said that performance venues tell her that her shows sell the most alcohol with the least amount of issues they have ever seen. If you get a chance to see the show, I highly recommend it. Its not just an evening of entertainment or escape; it is a performance that will refill your heart with hope, joy and humor.
Within the past few years, I have been reconnecting with my stage theatrical training and creative pursuits. I've been directing the Trumansburg Middle School Drama Club musicals but I also really enjoy seeing new work and supporting other people in the theatre community. My friend and colleague Marie Sirakos held a staged reading of her new play "No Comment" at the Kitchen Theatre Company on June 22. It was great to see people come out to support her work and new work in general. I am consistently inspired by Marie and her work and I hope that this play will see more stages in the future.
During the final days of June, I hit an emotional wall. A few opportunities that I were really looking forward to pursing did not come to fruition and while they weren't monumental, the rejections came at a difficult time. The anger, sadness and frustration of all my other issues was built up to a breaking point and these last rejections just crushed any fortitude I had left in my heart. I was ready to give up trying to live a creative life - which is a core element of my being. This state of emotional being is rare for me but I call this my Angry Funk. It takes a lot to get me out of the Funk and sometimes the only way for me to get out is to take a road trip. A road trip forces me to zone out, look out and be present in the world around me. Luckily my husband needed to do a car exchange with a friend in West Virginia, so we did a one day U-turn style trip. I spent probably the first two to three hours in the Angry Funk (which did not make me much of a road trip companion) but some simple moments helped ease me out of the Funk and helped me re-center. Here are the moments (in no particular order):
A chance encounter with Potato the baby Goat while filling up for gas
Creating a backstory for Gus the Pennsylvania lotto groundhog (as seen on multiple billboards)
Discovering an abandoned diner (that I really want to purchase and move to create a new business with - not a diner but an art cafe)
Planning Future visits to Old Bedford Village
(To see more photos, visit my Instagram)
By giving myself the space, time and permission to daydream without the pressure (external or self impossed) for immediate results, I was able to get out of my Angry Funk. I may not be Okay or Good but I am Doing and that's half the battle.