Meet Mari Andrew - a 29-year old DC-based writer and illustrator, who creates brutally honest and funny drawings inspired by her adult life. Ever since September 2015, she has been uploading pictures of her cool drawings to Instagram each day.
"I was sort of depressed and found myself going home just to watch Netflix way more often," Andrew told Business Insider. "I wanted a creative hobby, so I thought illustrating would be an easy, enjoyable way to document little moments from my everyday life."
Now, Andrews shares her comic strips, showing the harsh realities of adulting, with more than 40k followers on Instagram. She's featured every topic from dream boyfriends to the people you meet while traveling and all the funny problems in between. Take a look below.
If you enjoyed this article, also check out Chaz Hutton's series of illustrations inspired by adulthood.
More info: bymariandrew.com | Instagram (h/t: businessinsider, designtaxi)
This post may include affiliate links.
If I had just one someday, and had the opportunity to wear one thing, I could be happy.
I have jeans that I USED to wear, before my accident. I'm still hoping I can go back to wearing them! (I went from a size 2, had accident, first jeans were size 11, but I can't seem to budge out of size 4/6!!)
Women like to stay on top of contingencies! At least, my late wife did!
"Foreign" and "plays in a band" would apply to my teenage self actually. Ages 12-13 would be more like "has spikey hair". Late teens - early 20's → robotics engineer, scientist, professor or having another of these geeky jobs/majors. Eventually I got me my Dr.Slump. ♥
your Korean boyfriend right? btw wishing you all the best in your relationship coz mine never work out
Load More Replies...I want someone who isn't a jerkface or butthead I'm 12 i don't care what he looks like, I also don't want him to be stupid
These were my ACTUAL boyfriends.... My DREAM BFs - well, I have ALWAYS liked pretty boys....
Thats like being shallow in youth and karma hits you when you grow up
Oh god that actually happened to me this morning and internally, I was like "yessss more sleep for me"
Cause it's so much better to be mean? Little white lies like this -which may not even be a lie but an omission - are meant to spare feelings
Load More Replies...Everyone tells white lies and make omissions in order to spare feelings. I HIGHLY doubt you ALWAYS tell the truth in EVERY situation.
Load More Replies...Oh how I hate this situation! It's like, I wanna tell you something but then, naaaaah! Ugh
this is what normally happens to me before I realise : my period is due
Yes! I tend to not be an irritable person until two days before my period. Then for some reason, everything makes me angry hahaha
Load More Replies...This questioning of everything often happens to me before I realize I was just hungry 😁
Oh my God! This can't be more accurate! Whole month of August all my problems have diminished when my AC broke down...I live in UAE...It is 46C degrees in here!!
The curve for falling in love is extremely sad. It should at least stay at a pretty stable tableau...if it does not, you got to do something about it!
It says falling in love, not being in love :)
Load More Replies...I have different experiences with falling in love (a few ups and downs at first, then slowly rising) and getting a new job (straight down to hell)
'Creative hobby' should show the same curve like 'something that is good for you' imo
Hi, I draw from my own personal life experiences so this is actually accurate for me!
Load More Replies...Best thing that I've ever seen in ages, ha. Thanks!
Load More Replies...I'm 12 and I just want Trump to lose and my friends to stop talking about their crushes(Boring!)
I'm 19 and still dont know my favorite color. And it's hard to find a personality quizz which doesnt have that question.
As a ten year old my greatest concern was "Will I ever have lots of dogs, like at least 3?" As a 14 year old, my greatest concern is the two idiots currently running for president, even though I live in Canada...
I'm 28 and I just KNOW I will NEVER EVER have kids! *3 days later* Well, now that I think about it.....
So true. :) we forget our struggles. We should all cut ourselves some slack.
Thanks God we do! Oh no, the memory from 7 years ago of that internal struggle triggered by that stupid thing nobody cares about! Go away! ^_-
Load More Replies...This reminds me of when I had braces. When I had them it hurt so bad but now ,looking back, I'm just like " It didn't hurt THAT much"
I truely need to object. While it is said that the so called millenials are rather risk-adverse, totally straight CVs are surely not a necessity.
The picture is meant to convey the idea that: hindsight is 20/20
Load More Replies...Just don't ask WebMD anything, its almost always deadly and you must go to the hospital!
Asking a question and finding the answer IS learning dumbas*.
Load More Replies...ey, that cactus is alive :) (places with dieying plants are making me run ;) )
Yeap, I saw this, and then turned and raised a provocative eyebrow at the companion sat next to the computer screen, my own lone cactus.
Pre-internet: a persons bookshelf would fill in a lot of gaps about someone I didn't know well & often spark great conversation. Post-internet: "Mind if I go through your Kindle?" ...Too creepy to contemplate asking. I guess that experience is history.
No offense, but.. That is not how anxiety and/or insecurities and/ or depression works. Just knowing you have a problem isn't even close to being able to solve it.
Load More Replies...WELL F*****G HELL!! Donating money actually does jack s**t, because organisations such as the Red Cross are simply businesses that do f**k all for anyone because they throw all the money they collected from donations into interest making accounts that only spurn out a few thousand to a few million dollars which does f**k all for anyone in war-torn or generally poverty-ridden countries. What those conflict-ridden places need is their f*****g statehood back so they can rebuild their infrastructure to support themselves. What Western powers have been doing is godawful. They basically bomb cities and then say that war is chaos and all that so it was only a mistake. F*****S!!
That's f*****g right!! But if it was that f*****g easy someone would f*****g do it... But we can help,we do what we can to ease suffering..
Load More Replies...Cute guys on the metro...How many soulmates did I miss... *Cries on the inside*
This is pretty accurate but missing the biggest ones of all: vehicle, rent (utilities), and of course STUDENT LOANS
I believe those fall under "bills, insurance, and other scary things"
Load More Replies...I don't have internet on my phone. My last ex was from OkCupid.
Load More Replies...That would be under "...other scary things...."
Load More Replies...I got a candle for Christmas last year but had given the giver some mini bottles of quality natural bubble bath from a gift set I had bought weeks before for myself.
Load More Replies...also.. BRAIN: Lets think about every embarrassing thing that's ever happened for the next 3 hours instead of sleep
Omgosh! I thought I was the only one who did this! Lol, sigh.
Load More Replies...How about that one annoying song you never liked that doesn't want to get outros of your head?
macarons! hahhahaha............. yes! dont even know what they are, dont want to with all the hype
Ah and "You make me laugh and fall asleep with a smile with no reason" <3
I always manage to fit love in I can't really live without love it hurts me to be without it😅
No i mean it seems like in this world love has become so dispensable.. like no one is bothered to put any effort anymore, so it's 1st to go out..
When the right person comes, you will make space no matter what. You won't even need to make any effort for that! ;)
A good strategy is to have a handwriting that will ensure it can be found but is of no use. The only problem is the likelyhood of losing the ability to read it yourself.
Load More Replies...Change.org emails make me wish I'd never tried to stand up to the big man.
I can't tell you how many times I have unsubscribed from Chang.org emails...
"buys you flowers to celebrate your promotion". But still doesn't want anything serious. Players...
but yet they are the ones most females follow
Load More Replies...Sites like OkCupid want you to write a lot about yourself, but most people seem to prefer Tinder.
I quit using okcupid because almost everyone was looking for non-monogamous relationships. Felt actually worse than tinder
Load More Replies...Whaaaat? You're only as old as the people you date. I dated a 23 year old at 30! Not good for long-term commitment, but the point is, it can be done if you want!
Wow, you could add about five years to each of these for my generation. (Generation X) O.O
Actually they are because they're from my life :)
Load More Replies...I became a Dubstep and K-pop fan at 26. My 18 year-old sister & 12th y-o brohter introduced me to Skrillex! :D
Too late to change instrument is too true... I've had to play the cello for 5 years now and can't switch 😢
Birkenstock?! Hello no! Never! What's next- F*****g Crocs?! Serious life is serious life. But don't forget about Fashion Police!
I seriously think it's stupid to refer to the ages of human kittens over the age of two years in months.
I have a very decked-out Swiss backpack that has been through lotsa wear and tear (and swear😇)
Minilasim and Scandinavian design took over! Be sleek to be on fleek! :P
Not ahead of the times, newspaper delivery as proof she feels older and more mature than others her age... Ex: old people read newspapers still...
Load More Replies...I didn't at first too but I realized each of those lines are where they would eat/drink to depending on what happens to them
Load More Replies...Mine: Piano Food The ability to post live videos on Facebook My Whatsapp conversations Wifi Electric socket
Many of these are relateable in single situations. But the dose does it...obviously, the artist is very self-reflected, intelligent, and critical, which makes many of the drawings rather depressing. When browsing through I thought after a while: if you realize that there are so many imperfections, and most come from the own attitude towards things in live, why not go the extra step and at least try to induce a change? I believe it is worth it.
Mari, I love your work, and realy applaud your ability to respond to these idiotic comments with grace. I myself would have some trouble with that. Cheers <3
These are great. Even cartoonists have a life outside their work and I'm pretty sure the cartoons don't represent the authors WHOLE Life but just one side of it.
For those people saying negative things about these drawings, apparently satire and dark humor is above some of your heads. I think these took some introspective thinking, and turning a negative into a positive by drawing it out in a humorous way and working through it. I think a lot of women can relate to the raw humor in these. I for one enjoyed this post :)
Why topics about adulthood always look like anxiety, depression and perpetual question. Come on people could you just not live?
There are a lot of complaints that the drawing are depressing, but really they are an honest look about the anxieties the artist faces. Deep down we all have moments of doubt and fear and self loathing. We just don't broadcast our fears to he world. Facing the doubt helps us improve who we are.
Great job Mari - love your work, love to see what it's like when you're my age (37) !
Genius! I absolutely adore your work. So smart, funny, reflective and cynical. Congratulations.
Many of these are relateable in single situations. But the dose does it...obviously, the artist is very self-reflected, intelligent, and critical, which makes many of the drawings rather depressing. When browsing through I thought after a while: if you realize that there are so many imperfections, and most come from the own attitude towards things in live, why not go the extra step and at least try to induce a change? I believe it is worth it.
Mari, I love your work, and realy applaud your ability to respond to these idiotic comments with grace. I myself would have some trouble with that. Cheers <3
These are great. Even cartoonists have a life outside their work and I'm pretty sure the cartoons don't represent the authors WHOLE Life but just one side of it.
For those people saying negative things about these drawings, apparently satire and dark humor is above some of your heads. I think these took some introspective thinking, and turning a negative into a positive by drawing it out in a humorous way and working through it. I think a lot of women can relate to the raw humor in these. I for one enjoyed this post :)
Why topics about adulthood always look like anxiety, depression and perpetual question. Come on people could you just not live?
There are a lot of complaints that the drawing are depressing, but really they are an honest look about the anxieties the artist faces. Deep down we all have moments of doubt and fear and self loathing. We just don't broadcast our fears to he world. Facing the doubt helps us improve who we are.
Great job Mari - love your work, love to see what it's like when you're my age (37) !
Genius! I absolutely adore your work. So smart, funny, reflective and cynical. Congratulations.
