Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: help

  • Everything Anxiety Ever Told You Is a Lie

    Everything Anxiety Ever Told You Is a Lie

    Dr Toni Lindsay’s ‘Everything Anxiety Ever Told You is a Lie (*Well, almost everything)’ is an easily digestible curiously enjoyable self-help book considering the somewhat undesirable topic.

    You can certainly tell from the cover, the text and images contained in the book that it may be intended for a younger audience (12-15, early teens). That being said there is most definitely no sacrifice of substance despite catering to a younger age bracket and as a young adult I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

    It is also rather refreshing to read a self-help book written by someone in the medical* field that doesn’t feel the compulsive need to get their point across by using nothing but drab medical/scientific jargon.

    Dr Toni’s approach feels more personal and endearing and despite the authors more informal approach, she still manages to do a fabulous job at dissecting anxiety; but in a way that’s less logistical, more in the vein of understanding, acceptance and getting comfortable with your own personal “anxiety guy” (if you know, you know).

    Sprinkled throughout the book were these practical yet thought-provoking activities (suitable for all ages!), each one expanding both my knowledge and appreciation of my own experiences with anxiety.

    These activities helped affirm that even though I (and many others) live with anxiety it is nowhere near the ‘be all end all’ we think it is, and like many other things, with the use of specially tailored tools and accommodations, we can manage it, even in the really difficult times (especially then).

    On top of these wonderful activities, Dr Toni also involves the use of playful images, diagrams and other things such as lists and relevant real life examples to further help with the reader’s examination of their own daily struggles with this, at (most) times, irritating mental illness.

    I really appreciate Dr Toni’s nuanced way of navigating everyday anxious issues, and the authors ability to navigate difficult topics in a simpler way, that helps make it more penetrable for younger readers.

    This book takes readers on a thrilling journey of self-discovery and assessment; reassurance infused within every page, by constantly reiterating that anxiety looks different for everyone. There are countless ways to get to know YOUR anxiety better, with tools to help manage those anxious moments when they pop up, however frequent or infrequent. There is no doubt that these skills take time (and a heck of a lot of effort), but this book has some fabulous, easy and accessible resources to test/try out to help mitigate the more anxious times in life. Definitely worth the read!

    *clinical and health psychologist

  • De-Twat Your Life

    De-Twat Your Life

    Carolyn Hodbey is a woman who has, after facing a black, pointless, utterly distressing time in her life, picked herself up and realised the only way forward, to be able to help herself, was to simply face up to facts and begin again.

    She did and that has eventually lead onto a what is a series of books on helping yourself to create and lead a life that is full of SELF without feeling guilty; to accepting that this is the life you were always meant to lead and growing into the you that was always meant to be; creating a brave new future and a brave new you on the way along your life journey.

    Her bitter experience taught her that it was time to finally sit down and work out exactly what was wrong with her life in the before disaster struck period and then the rebuild of a similar life to what she had, before it come crashing down around her, in spectacular fashion.

    The end result is accepting that being SELFISH in your life as woman is OK. She has written down the many lessons she learned, often several times, into a workbook that can be easily used by anyone who feels there is something missing in their lives, but is not too sure what.

    Although De-Twat Your Life is part of series it can also be used as a standalone, as Hodbey sketches out her personal experience throughout the pages, to ensure that there is continuity and relevance to the various stages of self-discovery.

    Set out in four stages, the work looks at Self-Seeking, Self-Expression, Self-Love and Self-Fulfilment; all areas women traditionally struggle to accept in their lives as they have, from small children, consciously or subconsciously been taught to not be selfish, to always accept, to find a way towards peaceful acceptance, to place themselves second in line, when the reality is for many, this leaves a void that needs filling in their lives.

    Not a journey for the faint hearted De-Twat Your Life calls for honesty, as the workbook is completed so that when you finally arrive at the destination as the newly confident you, you can celebrate knowing that the future is going to be one of fulfilment.

  • Life Is Tough (But So Are You)

    Life Is Tough (But So Are You)

    How to rise to the challenge when things go pear-shaped

    Heartfelt and full of excellent advice which is well worth taking the time to read, Bryony Benjamin in Life is Tough, but so are you talks openly about her life and the effects of receiving a diagnosis of cancer at the age of 31.

    As she says this was certainly not on her vision board for the future. It was certainly not the pathway she had charted in her successful, professional life, but it happened and she had to find a way to deal with the major change she was facing.

    The real beauty in the wording of Life is tough, but so are you is at no point does Benjamin consider she is the only person who has been dealt ‘crappy bad luck’; this is her way of dealing what she also terms as her front row seat in the ‘shit show’ that her life had become.

    After almost a year of feeling less than well along with many, many Doctors Appointments Bryony was eventually diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which at her age was the last thing she was expecting; she was far too young, right! Well no, wrong as it turned out. Over her journey she learned many, many things about so much, herself included and those ‘things she learned she now shares with readers and bloggers everywhere.

    Wonderful little hints like the Permission Slip to be used whenever you need to give yourself a break, and importantly a collection of ideas to help you establish a support network to get you through the dark days. There is a very helpful pages of things not to say to people who are coping with their personal crisis, regardless of what has been the cause, as although the words spoken are well meant, but can often be upsetting.

    This is a very good section to read first if you have a friend who has just discovered their ‘shit show’ in life and is struggling to cope. All the well-meaning words, really don’t make a difference because the reality is, you really don’t know what that friend is coping with, you cannot relate unless you have travelled that road, and while you are trying to help and understand there are many better, far more helpful ways to be supportive.

    Regardless of how you choose to use the book, as a read from cover to cover or just simply sections by section as the need arises, Briony Benjamin has offered her hard learned advice to young and old who are facing loss, grief and hardship in their lives where it be health, divorce or death.

    She investigated for her own reasons how to ‘value add’ to a worse than challenging situation as she could not go around it, under it or over it, she could only go through it, hopefully coming out the other side and in doing so, she learned much about what is really important in life, how to cope with change and how to accept that ‘some things don’t have to be understood, they just have to be accepted’.

    Life is tough, but so are you is a book that should be read when life does throw a curved ball at you, as ‘you only get one go at life’, so it is important to live it to the fullest extent.

    Raw, beautiful, poignant and informative.

  • Futuresteading

    Futuresteading

    Live like tomorrow matters: Practical skills, recipes and rituals for a simpler life

    As the movement to safeguard the environment for future generations grows, there is a desire in the population to live a simpler life and to minimize the use of limited resources. Jade Miles, who with her husband Charlie Showers run Black Barn Farm, a biodiverse orchard, nursery and workshop space in north east Victoria has produced a valuable volume full of tips, and practical advice to help the reader to take small steps towards a wholesome sustainable life style.

    ‘Future-Steading’ is divided into two sections; ‘The Why’ and The How’.  ‘The Why’ explains the seven pillars on which ‘Future-Steading is based: ‘meet Mother Nature, Celebrate Simple, make your place, seek ritual, creating your clans, salute the seasons, and love local’. The author explains each of these pillars in detail; including how her family has incorporated the concepts on their property. The summary, at the end of each section provides the reader with simple real-world suggestions as to how to embrace the particular pillar being discussed.

    ‘The How’ follows the cycle of the seasons and provides the reader with a wealth of information as to how to maximize benefits from the bountiful gifts of nature. By including recipes, pollination, medicinal plant and crop rotation charts, this is not only an interesting read, it is also a wonderful guide for becoming more self-sufficient. For readers, who wish to further their knowledge and upskill for resilience, the author has included a detailed list of books and magazines.

    If you are looking to become more self- sufficient and don’t know where to start, look no further than this comprehensive guide. Not only is it full of easy to follow ideas, but it is also beautifully illustrated with magnificent photos and eye-catching illustrations.

  • The Don’t Panic Gang!

    The Don’t Panic Gang!

    The Don’t Panic Gang are the most unlikely band of hero’s’ who live by the motto ‘We Are Right Here To Help’, but want to remain a secret, actually TOP SECRET, because they believe that is the best way to go about helping people with their small and large problems.

    Now, one day just when they thought there was nothing much to do and they were settling in for a nice comfortable day at home, the phone rang with a somewhat urgent call for HELP, so they sprang into action, changed into their Don’t Panic costumes and set out, Zippity Quick to the rescue.

     Like all super hero’s they leapt from roof to roof, climbed down fire escapes and did other daring things, to finally arrive at the window where the screams for help were getting louder and louder.  A most horrible sight met their eyes and as there was not one more moment to lose, the Don’t Panic Gang did what they do best; set out rescue a damsel in distress in a hilariously crazy style of their own.

    Mark Sperring and Sarah Warburton have created a team of unlikely hero’s in Sumo Cat, Ninja Bird and Kung-Fu Worm who are always ‘right here to help’, as they rush to the rescue across the fun filled, flamboyantly created pages of their very first adventure.

     It is to be hoped that they are soon back on the pages with another daring rescue, to capture the imagination of all small would be, wanna be, hero’s in disguise, as they set out to save the world!

  • Calm and Energy

    Calm and Energy

    For those who need a little Calm and a lot of Energy in their lives check out the final two books in the Love Yourself Series, as they both offer brilliant ideas, suggestions and concepts for achieving both calm and energy in your life.

    Both are a nice size to fit in the bag or backpack, to be handy for those days when a little or a lot of help is required to get you through the day grounded, serene and able to relax at the end of a busy time.

    Calm from Dr Arlene Unger contains 50 instant exercises to de-stress and unwind, which can be used any time, any place and with great effect. As she states in the Introduction ‘……we are not equipped for the 21st century – it is too fast, too crowded, too 24/7’, a statement difficult to refute. Therefor how best to cope has been the subject of much angst and many books, offering options and understanding of this sad fact of modern life. Arlene Unger offers some very practical, real time solutions to help bring calm back into your life and the positive benefits that will result from a fresh, new take on daily life.

    Energy from Oliver Luke Delorie presents the fact that everything is made from energy and by learning to harness, generate and channel energy in a positive way, will help to recharge and revitalise your life. Once again, he has created 50 instant exercises to guide you on the pathway of revitalisation, using ancient practices and modern research into Cognitive Brain Development, Mindfulness, Affirmations and Emotional Brain Training which will help towards a more relaxed and energised You.

    As with all books of this style, it is best to read them slowly and thoroughly, reflecting on the wisdom and techniques, to best understand the guidance offered, before forging a fresh pathway through life, then select as required the various exercises as and when required.

    The two other books in the series are Pause by Kim Davies and Sleep by Dr Arlene Unger.

  • At The End Of Holyrood Lane

    At The End Of Holyrood Lane

    Storms come and go but the house at the end of Holyrood Lane seems to have more storms than most, storms that Flick hates with all her might. Storms rage and roar, making her head sore and her ears hurt. She hides under the bed and in lots of other safe places until the storm is over.

    Flick loves to chase butterflies, and run in the sunshine, she loves to play in the beech woods at the end of the lane, kicking and tumbling in their autumn leaves, that is except when it storms.

    But one day when it storms so hard there is no time to hide. No matter where she tries to hide the storm crashes all around her. At the end of the storm she is left sodden and shaken like never before. Flick decides to do something she has never, ever, done before, ask for help!

    In this skilful and sensitively written story about domestic violence, the book offers a small ray of hope for children facing the dark and destructive days of violence in the home. The very clever, gentle and sensitive use of words portrays the anxiety and fear always present and the courage needed to face the fear to ask for help.

    Used wisely this is a work which can help small children and even older children reach out, to know they are not alone and ask for the help so badly needed to break the cycle that is so destructive, physically and psychologically.

    At The End of Holyrood Lane is a landmark book on a subject which is a no longer a hidden, tragic aspect life. The skilful use of thunderstorms and stormy skies as metaphors, coupled with simple and yet powerful illustrations makes this a book which should be on the shelves of kindergarten and school libraries and used as an instructive talking time in classrooms.

    Beautifully done and presented.