Feeling Better: A Field Guide to Liking Yourself. Cover design by Manuela Camisasca.
Self-help. Self-love. Self-care. Self-worth.
The idea of transforming the way we view and treat ourselves is not a new concept, but one that recently has been capitalized on by digital media. A good face mask and cup of tea feel like a breath of fresh air, but where does the real inner-work begin?
Andrea Loewen’s debut book, “Feeling Better: A Field Guide to Liking Yourself ” explores just that. The self-published guide comes out on February 4, divulging into the practical ways one can grow into all aspects of self-love.
“The inspiration for this book was that I really hated myself and felt super depressed from living with all that garbage. I managed to work through it and learn how to like myself, which was a key to dealing with my depression,” recounts Loewen.
“I realized at one point that I was kind of writing [the book] for myself to break down my practices and help solidify them for myself.”
In the midst of her own healing journey, Loewen sought help through both other self-help books and counselling. And through her own inner-work she recognized a major gap in the market of self-help guides: personal experience. While many self-help books are written by psychiatrists or researchers, granted, who have extensive knowledge on such subjects, Loewen’s work focuses on her own grassroots story and success.
“[‘Feeling Better’] is super practical, it really is a field guide to liking yourself and each chapter is for a different practice or habit, that I myself used, and ultimately what worked for me,” explains Loewen.
“I found that a lot of self-help books, even the ones that were written from personal experience, were kind of more like a narrative or a compilation of general theories and ideas, and not a lot of super solid ‘Here’s what you could try and do and if that doesn’t work maybe try this way instead.’”
However, Loewen’s book isn’t limited to her own experiences. Throughout her “Feeling Better”, she references other sources which have inspired her exercises and initiatives.
To celebrate her book’s release, Loewen will be hosting a book launch at Massy Books featuring her process into creating “Feeling Better” and sneak peeks into what readers can expect, along with signings and a Q&A.
Loewen’s hope is that the biggest takeaway for readers will simply be the practice of gratitude. Despite how washed out gratitude may have become from the media, she says it truly has altered her life.
“I use it in very specific ways and it has really transformed how I see both myself and my place in the world. It’s about intentionally finding opportunities to be grateful, not just in general, but for yourself and for things about yourself,” says Loewen.
Through “Feeling Better,” self-help enthusiasts and those who have yet to venture into this category, can all unite in a sense of community.
“Feeling Better: A Field Guide to Liking Yourself” is available on February 4, both as an e-book from Indigo or Amazon, and as a paper on Indigo’s website. Find out more about Andrea Loewen’s book launch, “Feeling Better”, and upcoming projects on her website.
