Not Sure Who Needs to Hear This, But...: Beautiful Reminders for the Soul

by Willie Greene, We The Urban

A collection of signature affirmations and empowering essays on self-love, inner peace, growth, and more from the founder of the popular Instagram and media entity WE THE URBAN."Be proud of your growth. This version of you has a lot less tolerance for the things you used to accept, and that is a beautiful thing."Since its inception, WE THE URBAN has established itself as a platform centered on healing, in all its many forms. Founded by Willie Greene, WE THE URBAN posts uplifting and inspiring quotes that encourage self-love, many of which are accompanied by the message, "Not Sure Who Needs to Hear This, But . . ." Gaining traction during the first lockdown of 2020, these affirmations have gone on to touch the lives of millions, whether they’re sharing posts with friends, saving them as gentle reminders, displaying them on walls of their homes, classrooms, and offices, or incorporating them as cherished parts of their daily routines. Willie extends the ethos and magic of WE THE URBAN to this compelling collection through powerful essays interspersed with the platform's signature quotes and affirmations, many appearing exclusively in this book for the first time. Bringing readers through the ebbs and flows of the human experience, these pages venture through the process of finding inner peace, attaining the love you deserve, unlearning negative perceptions of yourself, and so much more. This book is not just a read; it's an experience. Empathetic, inspiring, and empowering, it's a daily companion for anyone on the journey toward self-love, self-acceptance, and self-liberation.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Poetry, Mental Health

224 pages, Hardcover

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Meg Schimanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

everyone say thank you Willie🧡

this is healing this is power this is grace this is acceptance.

[Gloria C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so necessary. I read it before sleeping and it left me super calm and care-free. The way these affirmations on various topics soothe an anxious mind is amazing. Definitely worth the purchase, this way I can do phone detox before sleeping since I don’t need to go into instagram for the posts at that time.

[Molly B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an impactful, beautiful, meaningful, thought-provoking work of art. I often reference Willie’s Instagram account for encouragement & connection. The community and work he has created is inspiring and I feel fortunate to have a physical representation of it on my coffee table.

[Natasha M. Nurse, Esq. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This random book caught my attention and I feel like reading it add a bit more wisdom in my life and I'm grateful for that ❤️

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like a hug and a hot cup of tea all in one! I like the format of essays leading you into a topic before the pages of shorter social media style text boxes. These have so much more impact because of the essays setting the scene. A book that I feel you could re read multiple times to let the messages and ideas properly sink in. A very good read, highly recommended!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook. It is very short but powerful. I loved the narrator, but even more so I loved the message in the book. I think I need to listen to it every day. Inner peace is my goal.

[Lexi Lender · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who strongly values affirmations and manifestations, I very much appreciate this book. I definitely will be referring back to my notes & highlights in times where I need grounding. Thank you, We The Urban.

P.S. — Realest part of this book was the part about ‘JOMO’.

[Jennifer West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting, beautiful, brilliant. I needed this to help elevate me during difficult times. I am ready to reread it again. ❤️

[Jessica Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book annotated as a Christmas gift - it was perfect 🥹❣️

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should have a copy of this book! Greene captured everything I need to hear.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title says it all… these are beautiful reminders that we all need to hear. Keeping this one close and definitely on repeat

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pre-ordered this book in September or early October because I enjoy the We The Urban posts on IG and often find myself saving them. I thought it would be lovely to have a bunch of those compiled in a physical book to be able to pick up, when I need a reminder to pick myself up.

What I found in “Not Sure Who Needs to Hear This, But…” is so much more than I anticipated and I am genuinely grateful for the content, the presentation, and the overall quality of this beautiful hardback book (that I initially felt I paid a bit too much for and now feel like the price point is accurate).

There are 6 Chapters, and some may be more useful than other readers, but I found each chapter contains sage reminders I personally need to read and internalize again and again. Here are the Chapters:

• Peace
• Love
• Learning, Unlearning, Relearning
• Creativity
• Well-Being
• Affirmations

I marked this spoilers even though I only shared the chapter names, and while tempted to share some of my favorite portions…I struggle to choose anything brief or just one selection because so much of it is so important, while also so simply and beautifully expressed. I suppose for brevity’s sake, I will go with…

“You are not here to ‘find love’; you are here to *be* love.”

And this NEVER misses for me; it’s like it was picked out of my brain: “tell fear to take several seats.”

Overall excellent, would make a great gift, but gift it to yourself first.

[Marijo · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A much needed read. It's one of those books that just makes you feel seen and understood. Each page is filled with words of encouragement, affirmations and much more. I was reading a chapter sometimes at the start of the day or at the end of the day and it always made me feel so much better. So much more confident.
I love how colourful the pages were, it’s overall just a beautiful book. I always admired Willie’s instagram, I’m glad I have a physical copy of his work.

“Things you've been through in the past can still hurt today, even if you swear you've healed. Remember, healing is not linear, and it's normal for painful memories to creep up when you least expect them. But try not to get caught up in your past wounds. If you keep picking at your scars, if you keep going back, they will never fully heal. Take what you've learned and carry it with you. Your past has contributed to your present, but it doesn't have to dictate your future.”

[Annabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willie Greene amazingly extends the ethos of his Instagram page, WE THE URBAN, with this book! It’s one of those books that beautifully makes you feel seen, heard and understood with just a few words.

This book is genuinely a compelling collection that is full of quotes, affirmations, and cute reminders; it provides an uplifting spirit, and is extremely heartwarming to read. However, it didn't have anything that made it stand out, which makes it hard when comparing it to other self love books.

Some of my favourite quotes:

"True peace? It will always be a choice. It’s a series of decisions you make every day. Sometimes it’s the decision to release, other times the decision to hold on, but it’s always the decision to reflect and grow".

"Every decision you make is a step toward either love or fear".

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t say enough good things about Not Sure Who Needs to Hear This, But... by Willie Greene. It’s one of those books that just makes you feel seen and understood. The whole thing is full of quotes, affirmations, and little reminders that feel like they were written just for you, especially on those tough days. Willie has this gift for putting into words the things we all feel but don’t always know how to say.

It’s not just a book you read once and put down; it’s something you keep by your side and flip through whenever you need a boost. The design and artwork are gorgeous too—every page looks like it belongs on your wall. I kept highlighting passages and taking pictures to save for later because so many of his words just hit home.

[victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

everybody say: thank you, willie. this was a masterpiece. i took my time with it, week over week, letting every message wash over me, receiving what was relevant and respecting what wasn’t.

inner peace, self love, care, acceptance. the joys and challenges of life. the humanity coursing through us all. beautiful reminders to be conscious daily, and to reconnect with our soul.

a good mixture of longer passages, practical steps, and quotes/affirmations to carry with you. not to mention, a beautiful coffee table book too. i’ll be reading this again in snippets for years to come

[Chattynatty Van Waning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Applicable ideas, thoughts on living one’s best life- not perfect life. Here were some of my favorite quotes from the book…

If you want peace be more available to your real life.

You don’t have to engage with every thought you have.

Fear in its rawest form manifests as jealousy and self doubt.

Love is a radical transformational act that anchors us to our authentic selves and propels us to collective well being.

[Jed Walker · Rating 1 out of 5]

In proper context, there is a good deal of practical wisdom. Unfortunately, Greene repeatedly alters biblical concepts like grace and forgiveness and inserts self in the place of God. Most affirmations assume or explicitly state, “You deserve…” Appears generous and kind but ultimately leads to anxiety and despair.

[Jan Sancho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen to the audiobook of this, this is exactly what I needed to hear for the start of 2025! So many constant reminders and I felt like the author was really talking to me. It’s constant reminders about self-love and just finding your inner peace. A great book for everyone looking for self-development.

[Kiahna Sabato · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the posts I see on instagram and I’m still reeling from a traumatic event. This was exactly what my soul needed to read at this time. I am so happy to have a solid tool to come back to time and time again when I’m feeling in need of comforting words.

[Joanna Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed We The Urban for a couple years and was so excited to find out Willie was writing a book. This should be a continuous read! If you’re having a rough day, you’ll be sure to find something in this book that will encourage you and make it better.

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so necessary. I loved reading a different themed section each day. I loved the balance of having a more "wordy" intro to each section, followed by goals and advice for that topic, and then specific affirmations/reminders. I'll definitely be coming back to this book :)

[Ashleigh Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

easy and therapeutic read

I like that I could gain wisdom nuggets from each chapter. It was an intentional journey of healing and affirmation!

[Mica Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I follow them on insta and the encouragement and motivation this book has, is so good.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A combo of the well known IG posts + self-help/words of wisdom.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of affirmations. I was pleasantly surprised with the short intros in each chapter and the 9 ways in each topic.

[SteFF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely. Random affirmations. Perfect book to just leave around on the end tables.

[Sam Ashby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this and it was much needed headed into the new year I will be buying a physical copy and coming back to it when I see fit.

[Kayla Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healing 🥹

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is just a beautiful peace of work that i will most definitely return to at some point. everything was so well put and it was so healing to read.