Beautiful Chaos: On Motherhood, Finding Yourself and Overwhelming Love

by Jessica Urlichs

* Instant Sunday Times Bestseller*

Motherhood is messy and beautiful, and hard and humbling. We adore our children and sometimes we miss ourselves. Beautiful Chaos is a collection of raw, honest poems about motherhood – capturing everything from pregnancy to school age.

Upon becoming a mother, Jessica Urlichs was reminded that the everyday ordinary is extraordinary. As sacred and tender as early motherhood is, it also comes with its struggles. Beautiful Chaos is a collection that chronicles it all – the highs, the lows, the confusion, the loss of identity, the becoming, and the brutal but beautiful ways our children hold mirrors up to us. This collection inspires vulnerability and will be a cathartic, healing read for anyone who needs it.

These poems will remind you of a time gone by or ground you in the current moment. Either way, they will make you feel seen and comforted amidst the beautiful chaos that is motherhood.

Genres: Poetry, Parenting, Nonfiction, Memoir, Self Help, Audiobook

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2024

About the author

Jessica is an author and poet who lives in New, Zealand with her husband and three young children.

Jessica Urlichs started her journey on Instagram (@jessurlichs) before becoming a published author.
Jessica has written three poetry books on early motherhood in her collection, and now a Sunday Times Bestseller 'Beautiful Chaos' an anthology with Penguin Books, plus International no #1 bestseller 'You Hung The Moon' with Hachette NZ.
Jessica has also written a variety of children's books to help our young ones navigate their emotions and realise their superpowers.

Her books continue to grace the homes of thousands around the world and have proven to make a very popular gift for mothers at all stages of their journey, resonating mostly on early motherhood, with her most popular poem of all time, 'All I See Is You'.

Jessica's books have sold over 300,000 copies worldwide.

Find more from Jessica at www.jessicaurlichs.com

Reviews

[Mady S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica manages to capture so many intense and beautiful and confusing feelings of motherhood. It’s everything I’ve felt and thought and I imagine many moms would resonate with her words.

[Lucy Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first review, and only because this book is so incredibly deserving. An absolute masterpiece on motherhood. It sang to my heart.

[Elies Van Noten · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 has been one of the most intense, challenging, and beautiful years of my life.

I am grateful for my healthy daughter who is discovering more and more of the world around her. It is a privilege to witness and be part of this journey.

Also a year in which reading became a challenge, with fatigue and the demands of motherhood often taking center stage. Yet, reading also kept me grounded and connected to myself.

This book, filled with poetry about motherhood, the beautiful and the raw, touched me deeply. It was a book I returned to from time to time, sometimes moving me to tears. Reading this book has inspired me to explore more poetry, a genre that feels relatively unfamiliar for me. Perhaps exploring more poetry will be a reading goal for 2025?

Even more exciting, the most beautiful prospect for 2025 is sharing my love for reading with my daughter and passing it on to her.

Last book of 2024. Looking forward to 2025. Happy New Year, here’s to another year full of good reads!

[Laura Urwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first review I think I've ever written but I couldn't not write it. I generally struggle with poetry but I read this from cover to cover. I cried happy and sad tears simultaneously and loved it.
I suspect I am in the perfect place in my life to read this collection which will probably affect my perception of it- I have a 6 month and a nearly 3 year old. The poems gave me words for some things I couldn't articulate and reminded me to try to live in the moment.
I will now get this as part of new baby presents as a gift for their mum. I've already given away a copy and I only got it 3 days ago! Loved it.

[Marieke Runherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Supermooi! Extra mooi in m'n weirde hormonale emotionele en zweverige fase de eerste maanden post partum haha maar daarna nog steeds heel mooi

[Natalie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the book that every single mother needs to read. I want to gift it to everyone I know. Beautifully relatable. I was crying in the first few pages! Devour it all at once or snack on the poetry a little at a time. Loved it!

[Kylie Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried so much.
Also I am eight weeks postpartum.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent two hours sobbing through this book. One of these poems came up on Instagram one morning when I was up before the sun with baby and it had me instantly crying; I knew I had to buy the book that same day.

These are such beautiful poems that made me both so happy and so sad for the future, for past me, for current me in the trenches just trying to survive. I never knew motherhood would be like this, and it’s so perfectly reflected in this book. I’ll come back to it again and again.

[Marissa Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deserves infinity stars. As a mother, this broke my heart and mended it all at once.

[Abbie Luck · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely stunning, raw and beautiful depiction of motherhood. It's like the author has pulled the words out of my head, the nostalgia out of my heart and the love out of my entire being. I loved every second. I've underlined and annotated the hell out of this book. Referencing each of my son's for different poems that remind me of them. One day I hope they can read my scribbled on copy and feel the love pouring out of the pages.

[Macy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One night, I was rocking my son to sleep and when I felt his head get heavy, I opened Instagram to scroll while I held him in the dark a little longer. The sound was off, but I came across a suggested post and it was Jessica Urlichs reading “I love you, and I miss me” with subtitles. The poem so perfectly captured my feelings that all I could do was cry. I ordered her book the next day and enjoyed reading it all. It’s truly a treasure. I have absolutely loved motherhood and there have been times that were challenging - times when I missed parts of my old self, when I missed the spontaneity that was possible with my partner, and times when I could really just relax without a real care in the world. Jessica captures it all and it was just very validating. I’m leaving a list of my favorites so that when I reread this book, I can look back and see if the same ones still impact me as strongly, or if my favorites will change with the different seasons of motherhood.

- [ ] Dear Mama pg 28
- [ ] That first smile pg 61
- [ ] Thank you pg 68
- [ ] Blink and you’ll miss it pg 99
- [ ] I’m your safe place pg 104
- [ ] The every mum pg 108
- [ ] Some things I know pg 117
- [ ] Dear husband pg 160
- [ ] May he always know pg 187
- [ ] May she always know pg 190
- [ ] I love you, and I miss me pg 207

[Odette Brethouwer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dit had een hardcover moeten zijn. Dit is een van mijn belangrijkste boeken in mijn kast vanaf nu.

Het is herkenbaar, en het zet de wereld en het leven weer in perspectief.

Het maakt dat ik meer, dieper, intenser kan genieten van bepaalde momenten.

Deze ga ik ontelbare keren herlezen, Deze ga ik met kleurentabjes coderen om snel de woorden te kunnen vinden als ik ze nodig heb.

Dit is 5 miljoen sterren. Dit zijn ook 3 miljoen tranen geweest, van herkenning en ontroering.

Ook al past niet ieder gedicht, voor iedereen zijn ervaringen anders. Een kind of meerdere kinderen, bijvoorbeeld. Maar andere gevoelens zijn universeel, en hoe Jessica dat in woorden weet te vangen vind ik onbeschrijflijk bijzonder en knap.

[Bryleigh Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect summary of how motherhood feels, reading Jess’s words made me feel seen, heard and a lot less alone in the newborn/fourth trimester haze and helped to pull me out of the trenches. This will be my gift to any friends when they get pregnant in the future.

[Elizabeth M · Rating 5 out of 5]

These poems beautifully capture motherhood in all its ups and downs, and makes one feel like they’re not alone in their feelings.

“It’s a privilege being someone’s everything, but it’s also incredibly hard.”

“If time were made of colour, you’d be my golden hour.” 💛

[Julie Hadsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book comforted and validated me so much, especially in the early days of postpartum. I know I will be revisiting it over the years 💛

[Danika LeBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! Une de mes lectures préférées. Je conseille ces petits poèmes à toutes les mamans qui vivent l'aventure de la maternité. Ce livre est un vrai baume sur le coeur.

[Jenb16 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. Wow. I feel like this collection of poems took every emotion in my heart and masterfully articulated everything a mother could possibly feel. This was one of the most beautiful books of poetry I’ve ever read, and I swear my heart literally ached reading this. Try getting through this without shedding a tear at some point, or feeling like the author sees inside your very heart and soul. It was so comforting to see another person articulate just how big a love I feel for my son, and all the crazy emotions and feelings you go through postpartum. A must-read for every mom (or dad too). I will cherish this one and go back to it again and again.

[Lauren Tingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I asked for this book for Mother’s Day after following the author on Instagram. I guess I got a pre-order Kindle version, but I CANNOT WAIT to buy the actual printed book to hold and re read over and over again. I imagine giving this book as a gift to new moms. It’s beautiful. I highlighted so many lines and cried or teared up in about every other poem. I’m not a huge ~*poetry girlie*~ but this was just like uncovering layers to the feelings I feel about being a mom. Like a therapist reading my brain and putting sweeter words to my jumbled thoughts or ramblings. It’s so sweet. If you’re a mom, spend a day reading this. You’ll love it even though it’ll cut deep into your soul and your heart!!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I need to gift every mom, especially young moms in the thick of it. These poems are beautiful and make me cry all the good tears.

[Courtney Flanagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and read it most nights now, beautiful poems about the challenges of motherhood but also the amazing moments. I love how real these poems are and how humble they make you feel as a parent. Very grateful I found this book. A must for every mother.

[Abigail Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading Urlich's poetry freshly postpartum. I remember screenshotting her words and fumbling for them in the night when I felt exhausted and alone. She put what I was feeling into words effortlessly and made me feel seen. Somehow... more than 3 years later, she still manages it. I was on the brink of- sometimes beyond it- tears on almost every page. She captures the very essence of early years parenting and the whole thing is like a giant hug. This is by far my favourite parenting poetry collection, perhaps one of my favourite poetry collections period. I think a copy should immediately be slipped into every young mother's bag when leaving the hospital.

[Kaytee Pergentile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book of poetry has officially become my most dog-eared book. When I really like a quote, I always dog ear the page so I can come back to it (I know, I know, some of you are cringing). Trying to pick favorite quotes or favorite poems from this is impossible. Everything is my favorite. 

Poetry doesn't usually take me very long to read, but with this one I'd read a bit and have to put it down and come back to it because it was just so heavy and true to how I am feeling or have felt being a parent. There's so much truth to what Jessica writes and it's so crazy how universal all those feelings are amongst moms and parents in general. I loved so much of it and actually learnt a lot too. 

I really think these poems help you take the time to look back and realize that time really is fleeting and that you don't get it back. That it is extremely important to live in the moment with your kids because you don't get a do-over. 

[Jess McCutcheon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. This will be my go to baby shower gift moving forward. Every mother should read this.

[Gwen Eseryel-verbiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Als mama van twee jongens van 2 jaar en 10 maanden, voelde dit boek als een warme deken om me heen. Zo, dit was even iets heel anders dan ik normaal lees! Maar wát had ik dit nodig! Beautiful Chaos van Jessica Urlichs is een prachtige verzameling gedichten die perfect het moederschap weten te verwoorden. Van de overweldigende liefde voor je baby tot de rauwe en kwetsbare momenten van de postpartumperiode en daarna – alles komt aan bod.

Ik raad dit boek aan IEDERE mama aan! Het is alsof Jessica precies weet wat er in je hoofd en hart omgaat tijdens het moederschap. Elke moeder zou dit boek minstens één keer gelezen moeten hebben.

Tijdens het lezen heb ik ontzettend veel tranen laten vloeien, want zoveel van wat ze beschrijft, voelde herkenbaar. Haar woorden raken direct, zonder omwegen, en verwoorden gevoelens die je soms zelf niet eens kunt uitleggen.

Bovendien is het boekje dun, waardoor ik het in één zit heb kunnen uitlezen. Toch heeft het een enorme impact achtergelaten. Dit is zonder twijfel mijn eerste 5-sterrenboek van 2025!

[Charlene Buttigieg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading about motherhood through poetry was an absolute joy. Many of the poems I read felt like they had been written for my journey as a mother, the poems really felt like home in my heart. So relatable and pure. I can’t wait to reread it in a couple of years when my kids are older, just to remember and be able to relive that precious and beautiful chaos; of which, I’m sure, I shall sorely miss ❤️

[Lisa London · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for poetry, especially poetry about motherhood. I read the majority of these poems in the trenches of postpartum, and they helped me stay awake through those sleepless nights feeding my baby. The poems are easy to read snippets that any mom can relate to either in their current season or reminiscing on past seasons. I teared up more than a few times at the beautiful words in these pages. ❤️

[Elana Waite · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was fine. It’s all a little repetitive, lacklustre and monotonous. I wanted to read some poetry on motherhood before my son is born and the whirlwind begins, but this just fell flat for me. The free form verse, the forced relatability levels and the lack of conviction just left me a bit exhausted.

[Laura Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning collection of poems speaking to the heart of mothers everywhere. Jess gave words to the feelings I have deep in my heart and I am so grateful to have this book on my shelf to come back to again and again. Her poetry speaks to the many faces of motherhood— some talked about a lot, and others not so much. The beauty, the pain, the confusion, the anxiety, the fear, the joy— all of it. I’ll treasure this book throughout my motherhood journey!

[Katie Ahlbrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never related to something so much in my life. I’m currently in the thick of the little phase, and Jessica’s poems are so beautifully written and relatable. I loved this and I would recommend to any current or future mothers.

[Cassie Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could only read a couple poems a day as they would have me so emotional. I found these especially powerful to read on the high highs and the low low moments of parenting. It really helped me not only appreciate the hard times and exhaustion, but truly embrace it and to know I’m not alone in my experiences.