A Way Out: A Memoir of Conquering Depression and Social Anxiety
Author: Michelle Balge
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Publication Date: February 27, 2018
Pages: 202 Pages
About the Author
Michelle Balge is a mental health advocate, web designer and animal lover. She holds an Honors BA in Sociology with a concentration in Critical Animal Studies, and will receive a Web Design Graduate Certificate in June, 2018.
Mental Illness Is Real
Michelle Balge provides a raw, unfiltered look into the world of mental illness.
She shares the thoughts that almost destroyed her. Suicidal thoughts invaded her mind and cast a dark shadow over her existence. They threatened to steal her future.
Michelle is a fighter. She will not surrender to the illness and let it control her life.
Here are some resources and techniques that helped the author battle her mental illness;
- See a doctor/therapist.
- Medication.
- Healthy eating.
- Exercise.
- Breathing techniques.
- Have a good support system.
- Volunteering or joining something that interests you where you can meet people.
- Meditation and mindfulness.
- Group therapy.
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
Michelle Balge learned that her mental illness can be treated and she has hope for the future.
My Thoughts
This book was difficult to read. The author's goal was to be completely transparent and share her experiences in a way that would make a difference.
Ms. Balge displayed persistence, courage and determination in her fight with depression and social anxiety during her childhood and into young adulthood. She would not allow fear to win. She set out to educate herself and find the professional help she needed to overcome and conquer the demons in her mind.
This is a very timely story in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. We can no longer afford to bury our heads in the sand and ignore the problem of mental illness in our society.
Ms. Balge demonstrates a tremendous amount of insight into her illness at a very young age. She will conquer her depression and social anxiety and succeed in helping herself and others.
MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5
FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair review.
Thank you for visiting my blog and reading this review. Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below or tweet me @JanetteFuller.
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ONE WORD BOOK REVIEW: INSIGHT
Dear You, Live! Love, Life: Awaking your spirit, overcoming fears & excuses, and living a purposeful, fulfilling life
Author: Michael Holbrook
Publisher: GardiBrook Publishing
Publication Date: April 6, 2015
Print Length: 340 Pages
About the Author
Michael Holbrook is an experienced, insightful, award-winning author who has written professionally since 1981. During this time, his articles, features, and essays have appeared in numerous magazines, newspapers, and professional journals worldwide.
"Expect a Positive and Exciting Life and Commit To it"
This book includes a series of one to two page essays about life and how to live it. Each essay ends with a quotation that complements the text of the essay.
This book provides sound advice on how to survive and thrive in the game of life. Here is one of my favorite quotations;
Make informed decisions, being cognizant that life is pliable. And when you make a significant life choice, sleep well knowing you made the best decision you could with the information you had. Life is a continuous series of decisions, opportunities, challenges, and choices. Remember...contentment can include letting go of the past and looking forward to a magnificent future.
My Thoughts
This is the kind of book you can skip around in and read at your leisure. I read it all the way through and will probably go back to the beginning and start again. The author shows insight and sensitivity as he writes about some of life's most challenging situations.
Each essay is independent and stands on it's own merit. However, the essays come together to create a cohesive unit that presents an organized and impressive volume.
I read this book during the weeks that I was preparing to participate in my sister's bone marrow transplant. I found the words in this book very comforting and some segments seemed to be written directly to me and my situation.
Good common sense mixed with inspiration and insight equals a rewarding reading experience! Highly recommended!
FYI ~ I borrowed this book with my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.
I Can See Clearly Now
Author: Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
Publisher: Hay House, Inc.
Date: February 25, 2014
Length: 389 pages
About The Author
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer is an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development. He’s the author of more than 40 books, has created numerous audio programs and videos, and has appeared on thousands of television and radio shows.
Turning Back the Years
They say that hindsight is always 20/20...Dr. Dyer reflects on his life, beliefs and writings in this autobiography.
The book begins with the author's difficult young years growing up in foster homes. The author clearly sees how these difficult times helped him learn to be self-sufficient and independent.
As a young man, Dr. Dyer spent several years serving in the U.S. Navy. During these years, the author determined that he wanted to go to college and eventually become a teacher.
The author reflects on how he wrote his first book, Your Erroneous Zones, and traveled around the country promoting the book and selling it. His love for teaching and writing led to the publication of over 40 books and his wildly popular appearances on PBS television stations.
The author touches on his personal family life but mostly focuses on his writing and teaching accomplishments. The book ends with his recent diagnosis of leukemia and how he is dealing with this chronic disease.
My Thoughts
I have been a fan of Dr. Dyer's writings since I read Your Erroneous Zones back in 1977. I have not read all of his books, but I have a pretty nice collection of Dyer books on my bookshelf.
This book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the man who became a best-selling author, teacher, speaker and a mainstay in PBS' membership drives.
I feel like reading this book was like turning back the years. I was thinking about events that happened in my own life as the author was sharing memories about his life and work.
This book demonstrates the value of looking back and clearly seeing how events, circumstances and people have come to guide you on your road to self-discovery. Dr. Dyer believes this guidance has been there for him every step of the way...and it has been there for you as well.
You don't have to agree with all of Dr. Dyer's teachings to find insight and inspiration in this book. Highly recommended.
MY RATING - 5 Stars Out Of 5
FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from NetGalley.
Please share your thoughts on the Comments Section below.
