Im going through a divorce, moved out and of course I feel depressed. I feel like my life is over at 37 and no kids. Do you have any recommendations that would help me see my life/the future in a different way?
* “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed: A memoir about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail after a personal crisis. Shows resilience and finding yourself through challenge.
* “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl: A powerful book about finding purpose even in suffering. Offers a profound shift in perspective.
* “Tiny Beautiful Things” by Cheryl Strayed (again, but different vibe): A collection of empathetic and direct advice columns. Comforting and wise without being saccharine.
TheMidnightHotel on
I read a A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy a while ago when I was feeling a little lost and I remember it calming me down. I love books set in Ireland, though so maybe I’m a little easily swayed in that regard.
Hope you find something!
brusselsproutsfiend on
Retrain Your Brain by Seth J. Gillihan
You Will Get Through This Night by Daniel Howell
The Upward Spiral by Alex Korb
The Mindful Self Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff
Keep Moving by Maggie Smith
Inciting Joy by Ross Gay
The Great Book of Journaling by Eric Maisel
The Resilience Workbook by Glenn R. Schiraldi
Developing Resilience by Michael Neenan
The 5-Minute Gratitude Journal by Sophia Godkin
How to Grow Through What You Go Through by Jodie Cariss
DetailFocused on
yeah man that kind of pain cuts deep and it don’t just go away overnight like it’s not just the loss of the relationship it’s the death of the future you thought you were building and that grief’s real even if folks try to act like you should just bounce back quick
but listen your life ain’t over not even close 37 ain’t the end it’s the f***in halfway point if anything like it feels hopeless now but that’s just cause you’re standing in the rubble and all you can see is what collapsed not what’s possible next
a few things that helped me shift my thinking when i was in a dark place like that:
— The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday it reframes pain and setback as fuel and not failure
— journaling not about the past but about what kind of life you’d want to live if you believed it was still possible
— surrounding yourself with stories of people who started over after the storm like David Goggins, Anthony Bourdain, hell even people on Reddit who found peace later than they expected
and maybe the most important thing is don’t rush to “fix” it just be honest with how bad it hurts and move slow that’s not weakness that’s healing
you’re not done man this is just one brutal chapter not the whole story
Wooster182 on
Eat, Pray Love or Big Magic by Liz Gilbert
Tiny Beautiful Things or Wild by Cheryl Strayed
I’m not a fan of Glenn Doyle but her books might speak for you.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Good luck to you and best wishes!
Ok-Personality-7848 on
I have a very lovely travel memoir you may like. The Road Rises by Sarah Dunne. Solo mum, empty nester looking for Mr Right, but it’s really about falling in love with yourself and with the wild land. I loved this book – funny, kind and inspiring. Helped me see my life in a completely different way.
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* “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed: A memoir about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail after a personal crisis. Shows resilience and finding yourself through challenge.
* “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl: A powerful book about finding purpose even in suffering. Offers a profound shift in perspective.
* “Tiny Beautiful Things” by Cheryl Strayed (again, but different vibe): A collection of empathetic and direct advice columns. Comforting and wise without being saccharine.
I read a A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy a while ago when I was feeling a little lost and I remember it calming me down. I love books set in Ireland, though so maybe I’m a little easily swayed in that regard.
Hope you find something!
Retrain Your Brain by Seth J. Gillihan
You Will Get Through This Night by Daniel Howell
The Upward Spiral by Alex Korb
The Mindful Self Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff
Keep Moving by Maggie Smith
Inciting Joy by Ross Gay
The Great Book of Journaling by Eric Maisel
The Resilience Workbook by Glenn R. Schiraldi
Developing Resilience by Michael Neenan
The 5-Minute Gratitude Journal by Sophia Godkin
How to Grow Through What You Go Through by Jodie Cariss
yeah man that kind of pain cuts deep and it don’t just go away overnight like it’s not just the loss of the relationship it’s the death of the future you thought you were building and that grief’s real even if folks try to act like you should just bounce back quick
but listen your life ain’t over not even close 37 ain’t the end it’s the f***in halfway point if anything like it feels hopeless now but that’s just cause you’re standing in the rubble and all you can see is what collapsed not what’s possible next
a few things that helped me shift my thinking when i was in a dark place like that:
— The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday it reframes pain and setback as fuel and not failure
— journaling not about the past but about what kind of life you’d want to live if you believed it was still possible
— surrounding yourself with stories of people who started over after the storm like David Goggins, Anthony Bourdain, hell even people on Reddit who found peace later than they expected
and maybe the most important thing is don’t rush to “fix” it just be honest with how bad it hurts and move slow that’s not weakness that’s healing
you’re not done man this is just one brutal chapter not the whole story
Eat, Pray Love or Big Magic by Liz Gilbert
Tiny Beautiful Things or Wild by Cheryl Strayed
I’m not a fan of Glenn Doyle but her books might speak for you.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Good luck to you and best wishes!
I have a very lovely travel memoir you may like. The Road Rises by Sarah Dunne. Solo mum, empty nester looking for Mr Right, but it’s really about falling in love with yourself and with the wild land. I loved this book – funny, kind and inspiring. Helped me see my life in a completely different way.