Today kicks off the month-long virtual book tour for MY JOURNAL: By Finding Yourself, You Find Your Happiness. In this post, I’ll share more about my book and tell you where to find the first stop on the tour.
Want to be a stop on this tour and have a spot available for posting in March? I can send you a guest post or an excerpt, or you can do an interview with me. Hit that orange message me button, and we’ll send you all the necessary info!
What Is MY JOURNAL?
I spent several years struggling with depression and burnout before I started a transformational journey that led me to discover a powerful secret: our thoughts dictate our emotions. I share my inspiration and practical tools in MY JOURNAL: By Finding Yourself, You Find Your Happiness.
This isn't just a book; it's a personalized roadmap to self-awareness, growth, and lasting happiness. With meaningful writing prompts and inspirational exercises, MY JOURNAL becomes your personal coach, guiding you to connect with yourself, choose for yourself, and unleash your full potential. The book will lead you to discover your talents, create healthy habits, and develop clear life goals. By dedicating time to self-care and embracing a positive mindset and reflection, you will be one step closer to being truly happy and in control of your life!
1st Stop on the Virtual Book Tour: Angela’s Voice
The first stop on the virtual book tour is a Q&A on LinkedIn by Angela Williams, author, child abuse advocate, and founder of the nonprofit Angela’s Voice.
Angela is a survivor-turned-advocate who shares a powerful message of triumph over tragedy by sharing her vulnerable and candid voice about her abuse trauma, her pain, her struggles, and her journey to healing in hopes that it may help other survivors expedite their healing journey. Armed with a Master's in Forensic Psychology specializing in child abuse, she has dedicated her life to advocating for child abuse awareness, prevention, and healing.
Angela’s Voice is dedicated to developing, distributing, and endorsing valuable resources in the awareness, prevention, and healing of child abuse. The materials, though specific for survivors of child abuse, also benefit any abuse survivor and help protect children by teaching them how to defend themselves from abusive behavior.
Angela’s newest book hit the best sellers list! Loving Me: After Abuse unveils a courageous narrative where she shares her raw and candid voice, shedding light on her own abuse trauma, struggles, and triumphant journey to healing. Kirkus Reviews hails it as“a frank, courageous, and powerful account that will lend strength to survivors of abuse.”
Here is Angela’s LinkedIn Article featuring a Q&A with me for World Teen Mental Wellness Day:
March 2 is World Teen Mental Wellness Day. As you know, part of my mission is to raise awareness, decrease stigma, spark meaningful conversations around mental health, and make those experiencing mental health challenges aware of available resources.
We are in the midst of a teen mental health crisis. According to the CDC, more than 4 in 10 students have felt hopeless, and more than 1 in 5 students has seriously considered attempting suicide. Those numbers are even higher for kids who have suffered abuse or trauma. What can we do to help? How can we teach these kids self-care and self-love?
Teens sometimes find it hard to ask for help because of the stigma around therapy. We still have work to do to change that. One tool I highly recommend that is therapeutic but doesn't feel like therapy is regular journaling. It sounds so simple, but it is a proven form of self-care with significant physical and mental health benefits. It enhances self-awareness, allows emotional expression, clarifies thoughts, and fosters daily reflection. Journaling offers significant physical and mental health benefits – enhancing self-awareness, enabling emotional expression, clarifying thoughts, and fostering daily reflection. While it should not replace professional counseling, it can be an important first step.
Dutch mental wellness expert Maggie Maris has recently launched her acclaimed book, MY JOURNAL, in the United States. This transformative work offers more than just a journal; it serves as a comprehensive guide, blending insightful information with profound introspection. Unlike traditional journals, MY JOURNAL is filled with targeted questions designed to delve deep into one's inner thoughts and life experiences. It provides invaluable knowledge and practical techniques that can be easily implemented to enhance well-being and cultivate happiness.
Maggie’s approach is particularly pertinent in today's fast-paced world, offering invaluable insights suitable for teenagers and individuals of all ages. Here, Maggie shares her thoughts on the book, the efficacy of journaling as a self-care tool, and her most significant piece of advice:
Q: What sets My Journal apart from other self-help guides?
A: My Journal offers a unique and proven step-by-step framework across four key areas: believing in change, discovering your true self, prioritizing self-care, and setting clear goals. This comprehensive approach unlocks your potential and guides you toward a fulfilling future. With meaningful writing prompts, inspirational exercises, and my personal touch, My Journal becomes a personal coach, helping anyone using the guide to connect with themselves, develop healthy habits, and unleash their full potential.
Q: Why do you think your book is particularly effective for teens?
A: Journaling is especially effective for teens due to their unique challenges during this formative period. Adolescence is marked by rapid physical, emotional, and cognitive development, often accompanied by increased stress, pressure, and uncertainty. Journaling provides teens with a safe and private space to express their thoughts, emotions, and experiences without fear of judgment. This process of self-expression can be empowering, helping teens explore their identity, values, and beliefs and make sense of their changing world. We constantly compare ourselves to others, and we lose touch with ourselves. I want everyone to reconnect with themselves. What do you like? What suits you? What is your passion? These are such important questions. All the answers are already within ourselves. That's exactly my approach to the book. That self-exploration that allows you to find yourself and learn to love yourself.
Q: What is one piece of advice you want to share with people struggling with mental wellness issues?
A: Our thoughts dictate our emotions. That is so important to remember; it all starts there. Our thoughts play a significant role in shaping our emotions. When we think positively, we tend to feel happier and more optimistic. Conversely, negative thoughts can lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety, or anger. By becoming aware of our thoughts and challenging negative patterns, we can positively influence our emotions and overall mental well-being. Negative self-talk can be incredibly damaging to mental health. When we constantly criticize ourselves or dwell on negative thoughts, it can lead to feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, and depression. Over time, this negative self-talk can erode self-esteem and contribute to a negative outlook on life. Learning to replace negative self-talk with more positive and constructive thoughts is essential for maintaining good mental health.
One of the most important things I do for myself is practice affirmations and mindfulness. Below are a few examples of affirmations you can try TODAY:
Gratitude: "I am grateful for my health, my loved ones, and the beauty surrounding me."
Self-Compassion: "I am worthy of love and happiness, and I choose to be kind to myself."
Confidence: "I am capable and strong, and I trust my ability to handle anything that comes my way."
Letting Go: "I release negativity and embrace the present moment."
Personal Growth: "I am open to learning and growing, and I am excited to become the best version of myself."
Remember:
Choose affirmations that resonate with you.
Repeat them with conviction and belief.
Practice them regularly for maximum impact.
Thank you for taking the time to discuss this important issue, Maggie! MY JOURNAL is available worldwide on Amazon and everywhere books are sold.
My nonprofit, Angela’s Voice, is dedicated to developing, distributing, and endorsing valuable resources in the awareness, prevention, and healing of child abuse. The materials benefit any abuse survivor and help protect children by teaching them how to defend themselves from abusive behavior. Here's the link if you'd like to buy a book or donate to the cause. Grateful!