I forgot to mention in the video that serotonin is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that needs to be at certain levels in order to ensure proper mood. Its deficiency is a contributing factor in depression, so the job of sertraline is to ensure that the brain does not reuptake or “remove” the serotonin that would’ve otherwise remained available for mood stabilization

Wait until you see their live version of "how to be me"!!! Ren X Chinchilla❤ ✌️

I've worked in psychiatry for over 20 years. The line of being scared of being ok is so powerful. Depression can be maintained through the worry of getting down again even when feeling well. Beautiful, soulful song.

Many people on psych meds say they feel dead inside and don't feel anything emotionally while taking meds. The meds push their feelings down and so they walk around in chalk outlines. At least that's one of the meanings I get from this song.

Imagine, how many people will be inspired to go out of their own chalk outlines by this and other Ren's songs. You said: "maybe I'll make videos like this from my poems.. ". That's it. That's the greatness of Ren's art.

Chalk Outline what a metaphor for feeling hollow/dead on the inside

I like to think the video was made in the basement of a hospital, hence they were both wearing white. The image of Ren, suprised to find a guitar down there, so he picked it up and sang from the soul. Then Chinchilla another patient joins in from nowhere both sharing the same experience. Such a simple idea but brilliant. Amazing accoustics, such a good vid! "It's such a beautiful day, take it just in case" kills me everytime. Dependance on prescription drugs is just as hard as any addiction.

“Sertraline and a sip of serotonin. Don’t cry cause there’s a pill for everything. Take this one wash it down and you’ll be fine.” These lines hit me the hardest. It’s not just the drug industry and how big pharma only produces medications that are designed to fix one problem while causing 1-2 new ones. The words stab at healthcare professionals like myself who are the ones that administer medications. As a Psych RN I often have to educate my patients about medication and while I haven’t said these exact words the meaning is the same. It’s a broken system. The pills only do so much and often patients don’t want to take them. This is such a powerful message.

That bit at the end, the final "oh my my" part that Chinchilla sings never fails to give me chills. So good, and it's my favorite moment to see reactor's react to.

I absolutely love Chinchilla. The 2 of them together is just next level. This is one of my favorites by either of them, so amazing.

One of the things I haven't seen many comments about is that ren has expanded his talents to help content creators also. His work has caused so many people to get into doing and watching reactions. He connects people in so many real ways. I love your reactions so far and you have a pretty deep soul yourself! I wish you the world my friend keep the ren coming let's help build love and understanding through him and his work. These reactions will help him earn the respect he truly deserves. Mainstream music on the radio these days is purely selfish and full of the wrong messages that are ruining the younger generations. Thank you so much for your incredible reactions God bless you and your family

Ren refers to his style of music as Bardcore. It's truly fitting

This one has a different feel to it. It's more than the lyrics, their beautiful voices or even how well they compliment each other. With this performance, it's their CONNECTION. You can FEEL it. Wow

Chinchilla "Oh my my" indeed. What a performance, she has a range and vocal power to match with Ren. Her control is outstanding, especially considering where she comes in kind of scrunched up in the corner, tough to sing like that

Chinchillas nails are her armour! I first saw her on the voice this song was my introduction to Ren !

Both Ren and Chinchilla are so talented. Ren is such an amazing writer. I’ve just begun to really dive into chinchillas solo music and just all around impressed. Always looking forward to the next project!

I've listened to this track before, but this was the first time that I watched them perform it. And now I'm crying. I never really cry and so I think I needed this. Damnit Ren is good and so is Chinchilla. Oh and the commentary was good. Found yoourself a new subscriber today.

Hey I’ve watched probably a couple dozen reactions to this performance, and I think you are the first one to put together the light flicker associated with Chinchilla’s off-camera arrival!

I’m super looking forward to you checking out his two songs Depression and Insomnia. They’re not quite spoken word, but pretty close to that and super cool and emotionally hard-hitting.

You got a like from me the moment you said maybe I'll make videos like this for my poems. I don't have the skill.... Yet. Made me so happy to literally see a moment of true inspiration and aspiration. Go for it brother!!

YES. Find you somebody who has tools and skills with video and lighting and art direction and make it complete. Part of Ren’s genius is his attention to most every detail (tho I think but don’t know that those books were just there randomly lol). The room was very much chosen for the acoustics. The wardrobe. The flickering lighting and roaming camera. Donald Glover also comes to mind as someone who delivers a complete package. Your words are your core but when you paint a vivid picture the words come harder. Peace and love, good luck! PS This is the best male female duet I’ve seen since Billy Preston and Syreeta.

Excellent reaction, I am a happy bunny holidaying in Rens rabbit hole. One of my favourites is " Children of the Moon " amazing.

If you liked this one (their chemistry is amazing), make sure you watch How To Be Me (live version Ren & Chinchilla again)

Raw emotion and Raw talent at its absolute very best. This song gets me everything , so powerful....and there are others by them!!! I now love Chinchilla as an artist as when as Ren, and if you want a real treat " Fingers Live " is awesome by Chinchilla.

Hey man, psych nurse from France here. Best of luck and perseverance in your endeavors. It's a hard job but I couldn't make anything else. You can read some of Patricia Deegan's work regarding recovery on top of more traditionnal nurse researchers.

I love how it seems that ren is kinda inspiring you ❤

Felt so welcome watching you. You blended your poetry, personality, career, dreams, and Chalk Outlines together so smoothly. Been watching Ren reaction since Christmas and you one of the few to read the titles.

If you love this, wait ‘til you hear ‘How To Be Me’, again with Chinchilla. Decide whether you want to know the background of the song (and video) first - there is one, it’s very poignant and makes a difference, but you may just want to come to the track first and listen on its own merits. Either way though, well…make your own mind up, obviously, but for me it’s the most amazing piece of music I’ve heard in years and years.

This is my favorite song of his, between him, Tom, Nf - my own poetry motivation has gotten bigger

Hi. have enjoyed your Ren reactions. This one was interesting. Personally, I think looking for meaning in the book titles in the opening sequence is a bit of a stretch. I feel that section is window dressing, setting a mood. If anyone knows for certain that I'm wrong and there's deep significance, I'd love to know! The Chalk Outlines reference doesn't make me think of dead bodies at a crime scene, although the link there is obvious. In my adult life I've spent two extended periods of time on Sertraline for depression. It takes a good week or so to take effect (on me, at least). When taking it, the 'bad stuff' doesn't worry you, that destructive introspection that plagues many of us isn't so harsh. However, in my case, the 'good stuff' didn't excite me either. I was very much on a plateau as far as emotion was concerned. The highs and lows were somewhat levelled out. I functioned perfectly well, but it really was a bit like watching life through a net curtain, or perhaps walking around in a chalk outline. Certainly, I wasn't fully alive. The 'take it just in case' line...... wow! Yes! It took me some time to realise that I was missing the highs as well as the lows, and eventually, you want those highs back, but dare you wean yourself off the stuff? I guess I took it for longer than I needed, 'just in case'. I came off it slowly and eventually the highs returned, and I could cope far better with the occasional low! The other immensely powerful line in here is the gallows reference. What an image, struggling to balance on tip toes with the noose around your neck. It's a terrifying struggle at times, but it's the only way you'll manage to breathe, and while you're struggling with that, there's no room in your life for anything else. I think several of Ren's songs should be on the curriculum for sixth forms/colleges/universities. I know that a lecturer at Cardiff University has already incorporated Hi Ren into his pastoral care work. I'm sure others will be following. Sorry, rant over!

Speaking of Ren as a bard, I can’t wait to see your reaction to his “Ballad of Jenny and Screech-full”. It is a story in three parts, and the end will kill you.

That chair SNAP!!!! Got me good first time lol

Just saw this. Great reaction. Subscribed.

Good reaction ... I will be checking out your poetry for sure! You should react to some Chinchilla music as well. Her live version of "Fingers" is insanely good.

“I spit rise.” I like it.

Here for it! 🔥💙🔥

You need to see Chinchilla fingers live ❤ Ren and her in this is beautiful ❤

Definitely make a video of your poems.

Your the first reactor out of over 100 O watched that noticed what they were wearing!

Plus she named that certain medication because it sounds like such relief double .

Oh, and a reaction video of this song by a neurologist has her explaining that many patients suffering depression and on some of those psych pills, say that they don't feel real and that they feel like they exist in the world as an outline or shell of themselves. But I can see the chalk outlines having a couple meanings as well.

Really enjoying your Ren journey! Appreciate you!

He was misdiagnosed diagnosed as bipolar for 10 years he has Lymes Disease he had stem cell therapy and is in Canada at the moment for more treatment he was meant to be there for a couple of months but it has been extended to over 6 months.

Chalk Outlines - the medication Sertraline (SSRI) what they're singing about, that's one of my main meds. Without them I don't know where I am in my head. I hate the reliance I have, yet without them I'm vicious and destroy myself.

Just absolutely beautiful ❤❤❤❤❤

This is such a great song. I think you are the first person who I watched that actually read the titles, and knowing Ren was everything means something.

A great reaction, you are the first reactor to try pick up on the books and if they had any meaning, I don't know and haven't seen anything mentioned about it before, but it's deffo a question for Ren at his next twitch livestream!!! Looking forward to what you think of sick boi!!

Thank you👏👏👏

Beautiful.

First time watcher....... Ren has a lyrical poetry that disects the human condition as it is in modern day and is a sensational artist. On the poetry front? If you havent already then do look up (Dr) John Cooper Clark! A literal living legend and poet without peer ( no offence 😊) .... specifically Chicken Town ( my personal favourite) or Twat! All of it is savagely poignant and an accurate disection of society ( albeit with a heavy British bias). Cool reaction, thank you 👍

You gotta see the live version of How to by Me with Chinchilla!

Ren, is inspiring people in amazing ways. You go, take the inspiration and RUN with it.

This song is about the feelings that you get or lack there of when you take the pills that they give you so you don’t feel the way you normally feel. Some people have compared it to not feeling anything like they are dead hence the chalk outline.

I really enjoyed your reaction to this video. A great mix of commentary on the topic and appreciation for the performance itself without an abundance of stops.

The chalk outline could also be a similar metaphor of the mask. It could represent a generic human shape where we bury ourselves behind the mask/chalk outline or what we should be/feel/represent instead of showing who we actually are.

LOL, when I saw their white clothing my brain said "straitjacket".

Great reaction!

Ren's take on creating a song like this is from when he was misdiagnosed by doctors and fed psych drugs when he was actually suffering from Lymes disease. That's his inspiration behind a couple of his more recent songs like "Sick Boi". And your right, the one take in that hallway is awesome.

You said this wasn't strong lyrically! You either weren't listening, or you didn't understand. This was incredible lyrically!

Dominoes official lyric video and ready for you ❤❤❤

Such a hauntingly beautiful tune. The subject matter hits you hard. These two are so immensely talented. ❤❤

His spoken word “marked” is dope too great video, also “rise”.. respect bro

For what I’ve heard from other reactions the books have their title written on the pages to symbolize “don’t judge a book by its cover”

I noted the patient records, like in the basement of a hospital.

Love your reaction wow!

I just noticed all the books on the shelf were placed backwards, with the spine against the wall. Hmmm 🤔

I've watched many reactions to this video, and I've not seen anyone even mention the books. I've never thought of them either. Great catch! Great reaction. Came here for Ren, but I'm subscribing for you.

Ren and Chinchilla do a cover of Marvin Gay's Sexual Healing ( Live) in the street. A must see .

Really loved you reaction and your vibe - I’ve subscribed to see more.! @Chinchilla_music is amazing as a lyricist so I think you’d love some of her solo stuff (Fingers LIVE for Hunger TV is awesome for vocals and as a work of art)

I know this is a serious video but the inadvertent bar had me laughing.

Chalk Outline is how you feel you appear to the world when on that drug. You don't know how to feel. Like you want to feel happy but you feel guilt if you do. It's hard to explain.

In my interpretation, they are patients at some sort of institution, which is what I got from both of their white outfits and that utilitarian hallway. To me it felt like a found friendship and connection between two patients, two people suffering very similarly, understanding each other completely and connecting in their pain. I imagine them both wandering around where they weren't necessarily supposed to and winding up in a disused area. I say disused area by the dates on the books (I didn't see any other meaning in the dates, but that doesn't mean there weren't.) And the way he found the guitar and the chair indicated to me that someone else, likely someone on staff, comes there on his/her breaks to get away from everyone and play their music. Everything about the chalk outlines (to me) screams that the mental health drugs are killing them both inside, killing their emotions and feelings. They trace themselves, erase themselves, the outlines float because they're up and walking, but nobody's alive inside of them. I honestly don't think it matters how you interpret it and everyone will get something different, but whatever story you find in it, the point is that there IS a story to find and something that many, many people will connect with on different levels with their own interpretations. Ren always comes with those lines that stick in your head ... "But so it goes, let it be; In the gallows, I balanced on my toes; So I can breathe ..." Which is such a visual of barely hanging in there ...

Love your reaction to Chalk Outlines - Ren & Chinchilla have such chemistry when they sing together- this song always gives me goosebumps. Another great Ren & Chinchilla video is How to be me (Live) - thought provoking lyrics in that song too.

Wait til ya see his Ocean, Crucify your Culture, Life is Funny, Humble... You like spoken word... Rap... OMGoodness Bro... You Gotta See Them!!!

Walking around in chalk outlines is the effect meds have on you it makes you feel like your out of body looking down on yourself

I really liked your reaction to this song. I've seen a lot of reactions to this somg and as usual everyone loves it but I really liked how you explained it and understood it quite well. I think you'd really appreciate, How to be me, live version, as well. These two songs have become my favorites lately. Have a great night to you and everyone stopping by here tonight..much love!

I think the books are old accounts from the days before it was all done in spreadsheets on computers!

'Hi Ren' is the gateway most have to Ren, the 'battle with his subconscious' reveals some of the mental struggle, but not his path. There is however an Easter Egg in the video, the back of his wheelchair is marked 'L.D.' In 'Sick Boi' both lyrically and visually we see the course of his misdiagnosis and thoughts on the medical harm done by it and the medications he was put on (derealization), other songs take on this as well like 'Diazepam.' His attempt to feel better (hope I'm someone else in the morning), had him hallucinating on the medications, even seeing people in the doorway who weren't there. Perhaps the 'talking to the dead' in the other viral Chinchilla collaboration 'How To Be Me.' It is the combination of the untreated Lyme Disease infection which alone can cause psychosis, but add in harm done by medical mistreatment (Pig Butcher), and medications, that takes its toll and leads to PTSD.

I love the erase ourselves in these chalk outlines, as that is all that remains

I heard somewhere that those are case files at the beginning..like could be psychiatric, could be legal precedents

"I'm scared of being OK, because all things change..."

you should make videos like this with your poetry I would watch it

at 4:42 animation flashing the satanic devil horns hand symbol. they do it in RL and in cartoons a lot

Ren is insaneee... YBP Could you react to "Losing it" from Ren ? The bars in combination with the beat he uses.. insane. Anyway keep up the great work man, much love.

I thought it was interesting that the lyrics didn't speak to you as much as other songs of his, whereas I, a person with disabling PTSD, depression and anxiety disorders, was slayed by the opening, "I'm still here in this bed that I crawled in / I hope that I'm someone else in the morning." Not only are you laying in bed wishing you weren't you, but it took all of your energy just to "crawl" into that bed to begin with. And "I'm scared of being okay / 'Cause all things change, all things change" resonates hard. I'm exasperated with my mental health issues, but with therapy and meds I'm accustomed to being in my chalk outline. Any deviation from that non-su*c!dal baseline makes me panic - good or bad. I can’t even watch comedy without freaking out. Imagining being "okay" is overwhelming. Would I be able to handle it if I got better, but then got worse again? It took so much to get to the sad point I'm at; I can't imagine having to start all over again. I don’t think I'd fare very well, so it's best not to rock the boat. Sadly, a catch-22. Oh, and the last line when it changes from trace to erase? fuhgeddaboudit. You're not even a ghost anymore; You're nothing. "We trace ourselves in these chalk outlines ... Erase ourselves in these chalk outlines". 😱

Chinchilla with Ren is sublime in How to be Me (Live) really stunning masterpiece of lyrics and harmonies, it's about suicide awareness and I believe it's videoed on the bridge where Ren's friend ended his life. The lyrics are very poetic.

Can't see that anyone else has mentioned, so to point out a couple of things... Sertraline is a brand name for an anxiety drug in the UK (and maybe elsewhere I'm not sure... a little like Xanax I guess). And the books at the start... they are company record books - depreciation, as in a record of their assets and values and other general bookkeeping stuff. Not sure of the relevance, but that's what they were

Depending on location and era, the white can also represent the uniformity (often white) that is/was required to be worn in psych wards but that has largely been done away with since.

modern day Bard ? Bardcore!

Think that lights flicker was spooky, next for you is an older Ren video "Children of the Moon" a Ren idea of a scary movie. It's kind of weird but fun. :)

💙💙💙

Man, you still gotta do 'How To Be Me (live)' from Ren and Chinchilla.

Yes..How to be Me next pls!

Chinchilla sings slightly behind the beat. Makes an echo effect.

Poetry should have videos...Dylan basically did that, and poetry and music are so close to each other

I keep wondering if anyone will notice that Ren is Animus and Chinchilla is Anima here. That's why the lights flicker; not to introduce Ren's Evil Side, but to bring in this different aspect of his Personality and mental self. Both are afraid, both feel they need to meds to survive in the Chalk Outline, yes? If I were a creator I'd have to react to this and offer my insight about this element I see here. I have no idea if I am correct r if it's simply A possible concept about this videography.

YES! Here for you #chinchilla #Ren ALWAYS ❤️

Oh cool, I've been studying organic chemistry with a focus on psychedelics and their relationship throughout societies with a focus on behavioral and chemical exchanges

I talked to you before that I us to write poetry and how to get back into it. I am also studying for my master's degree in counseling as we speak.

I read somewhere that he wrote this for a friend that committed suicide.