Amber Rae

If I'd read this a few years ago, I would have enjoyed it much more than I actually did. At this point, I'm pretty burnt out on spiritual self-help since every book seems to be a rehash of other (better) books, along with a few personal anecdotes sprinkled throughout.

I appreciated Rae's honest reflection on her life experiences and her attempt to be authentic and truthful when describing them. But she still came across as incredibly privileged and, at times, whiny. As a result, I found I show more didn't have a lot of patience for her personal problems.

There's some good stuff here -- mostly culled from other authors like Liz Gilbert and Brene Brown. However, the journal questions are the best part of the book, as they offer an opportunity to reflect on how to apply the lessons in our lives.

Rae's writing style is conversational and easy to read, and there are worse ways to spend a couple of hours. Borrow this one from the library if you can since it's not likely to find a permanent place on your keeper shelf. show less

She writes. She illustrates. She inspires. Amber Rae has a following for those that are looking for a new way of thinking that brings joy into their life.

She says, "The reason we seek the answers outside is because we don't know how to access them from within." She writes about how to find inspiration, compassion, trust and strength in your day-to-day life. The book comes with illustrations that reinforces how one can unlock the creativity inside. She notes that one can read this book show more page-by-page or simply pick a page that inspires.

This book presents a soft approach on helping people that need a boost in life. Amber Rae is an enthusiastic 36 years old on social media and it feel like she's addressing the needs of those that are young who are looking for creative ways of making a living.

She makes some unrealistic goals such as "Live life on your terms when someone tells you how to live your life." It's complicated when you have jobs, families and responsibilities to simply change your path when things get tough. She says: "Observe emotions from a distance" Sure, it's nicely said; hard to do. It's like Marie Condo telling book lovers that they should only have 30 printed copies in their homes. Some things are good suggestions but simply not possible.

A few of her messages were repeated from her last book, "Choose Wonder Over Worry," when she says, "Don't die with your gifts inside." She adds a quote from Todd Henry's book, "Die Empty." It says, "In the graveyard are buried all the unwritten novels, never-launched businesses, unreconciled relationships, and all the other things that people thought, 'I'll get to that tomorrow.' One day however, their tomorrows ran out." Rae's book references other inspirational gurus and she includes some personal stories.

If this book helps people, then that's a good thing. She says that people pick up books like this for a reason. Maybe there's a message inside that can help them.

My thanks to Amber Rae, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this copy with an expected release date of January 18, 2022. show less

Sometimes the right book comes just at the right time, and this was that book for me. I listened to it from the library and promptly bought the ebook. It’s giving me the permission I need to get out of my midlife crisis.