There is no shortage of self help books out there but what’s good about this one, if it indeed it can be termed a self-help book, is that the strands and ideas from so many others are neatly and succinctly collated into this one little book.
‘ Since the beginning of time, women have been made to feel bad about themselves. From our dress sizes to our careers, from our parenting skills to simply having an opinion, modern women come under immense, relentless pressure to look and behave in certain ways.
The stories we tell ourselves can lead to some dark emotions. They can even result in us hating ourselves – and other women.
It doesn’t have to be this way, though. We just need to realise our power, our value and our worth.
In a deeply personal book, award-winning blogger Katie Portman (www.poutinginheels.com) talks candidly about her own challenges as a woman and shares the tools she uses to overcome them. She invites fellow females to open their eyes to the beauty, power and potential that exists within them.
Covering subjects such as self-confidence, self-acceptance, ageing and identity, Katie holds up a mirror to gender imbalance, she lightens the mental load of mothers, and empowers everyone to practice self-love, not self-hatred.
With an ever-increasing focus on mental health, Katie’s messages should be relayed in schools, universities, on relationship apps and in mothers’ groups across the land. The book can be enjoyed in its entirety, or readers can dip into the ‘little pick me ups’ again and again and again – whenever they need a reminder of how wonderful they really are.’
Full marks for the format and presentation. A bright, cheerful cover, upliftment is almost instant. A pertinent title that works on two levels, literally - it is little and you can easily pick it up, emotionally - the philosophies within it can act as a mood pick me up. It’s also compact enough to slip into a bag or even a pocket if you ever find yourself in need of…….. a little pick me up! The book is divided into sections dealing with some of the negative emotions that pervade the lives of women. And each section looks at ways in which as individuals we might confront these emotions and deal with them more positively. Each section offers a helpful summary of the main points and possible actions to take.
As a mature, no, let’s not beat about the bush, an old, single lady I felt the target audience was younger, parenting women. I don’t intend that as a criticism. It is an observation, but there was much here irrelevant to me. However when I was the age of the author my attitude to ageing was very different to my attitude now. So I would say this is a book for a younger woman than myself.But it’s a book for our times where women are poised on the precipice to progress and take control of themselves and their bodies.
The author uses her own life experiences to examine her attitudes within the context of those experiences and more broadly within the world. It’s an honest account of how emotion and mental attitudes can be manipulated by the society in which we live and gender aspects we are confined within. It’s easy to read. Easy to dip into, full of sound advice and knowledge From somebody who has embraced her own challenges head-on and overcome them.
Katie is an honorary Yorkshirewoman; she originally hailed from Lancashire and moved to Barnsley with her headteacher husband, Jamie, a couple of decades ago. They have two beautiful children, Elsie and Leo.
Katie is on social media, you can connect with her there.
Facebook: @poutinginheels
Twitter: @KateLPortman
Instagram: @poutinginheels
My thanks to Kelly Laciey of the Lovebooks group for an opportunity to read this book and be part of the blog tour.
Thanks so much for taking part in the blog tour!
ReplyDeleteMeggy from Love Books Tours