About Me
Hi there. I’m Nanea Hoffman.
I’m a writer, illustrator, coffee enthusiast, and longtime builder of blanket forts. I create small, soft things that help people feel a little less alone: journals, art, and a potato-shaped character named the Anxiety Blob.
Years ago I started a little corner of the internet called Sweatpants & Coffee. It began as a place to celebrate everyday comfort, creativity, and the quiet joy of ordinary life. Over time it grew into a community of people who understand that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is put on soft pants, pour another cup, and keep going. That spirit still lives here.
The Anxiety Blob was born as a doodle in September 2015. I was feeling anxious and worried all the time, even when nothing specific was wrong. One day while working on a social media post, I quickly drew what my anxiety looked like. It turned out my anxiety closely resembled a vaguely worried, potato-shaped little guy. I named him the Anxiety Blob.
A good friend saw the doodle and commissioned a crafter to turn him into an actual plush as a gift for me. When I shared photos of the first Blobs, people immediately asked if they could buy one. What started as a private joke between me and my own nervous system became something shared.
The Anxiety Blob became a real source of comfort—for me and for many others—especially during the years I faced a breast cancer diagnosis. Holding something soft and slightly ridiculous that understood the worry helped. It still does.
Nearly 20% of American adults live with some form of anxiety disorder. That is a staggering number of people walking around carrying invisible weight. The Blob offers a small, tangible way to name the feeling, to say “this is here with me right now,” and to remember that anxious is how you feel—not who you are. On Instagram and elsewhere, people proudly show off their Blobs as a quiet act of solidarity. I love that.
In more recent years, my faith in Jesus has become a central part of my life. It hasn’t replaced the encouragement and comfort I’ve always tried to offer—it has deepened them. I still believe in soft pants, strong coffee, and showing up for one another. I simply have a clearer sense of where lasting hope comes from.
Today you’ll find my heartfelt writing, original illustrations, journals, plush characters, and cozy art prints here. Everything I make is rooted in the same hope: that you feel encouraged on your own creative and human adventure, that you know you’re not alone, and that comfort is allowed.
If something here speaks to you—whether it’s a soft Blob to hold, a journal for the quiet moments, a mug for your morning coffee, or a print that makes your walls feel a little kinder—I invite you to explore the shop. I’d be honored if any of these pieces found a home with you.
Thank you for being here. I’m glad you found this little corner.
With love,
