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Shadows Before Dawn: Finding the Light of Self-Love Through Your Darkest Times
Growing up in a tranquil wilderness, Teal Swan had a childhood that was anything but serene. Horrors lurked behind the façade of the perfect houses and pious community of the surrounding towns, and Teal attracted undue attention because of her unusually powerful extrasensory abilities. At the hands of a local cult member, she barely survived 13 years of horrendous abuse—and even after her escape, she was left powerless, lost, hurting, and with no way to cope. Gradually, and incredibly, Teal forged her way from shadowy moments of despair to a sliver of light . . . and eventually emerged from the darkness into the full dawn of self-love. Here, she shows how you, too, can achieve the feelings of worthiness that may be long missing from your life. Now a recognized spiritual luminary, Teal documents how she dug herself out of self-hate into self-love, and details the remarkable trail for others to get to the same place. Shadows Before Dawn encompasses both Teal’s compelling story, told with raw intensity, and her resolute, no-nonsense how-to guide to healing from even the deepest levels of suffering. Offering a comprehensive self-love tool kit, this book includes powerful exercises, insights, and perspective from a captivating new teacher in spirituality, and lets you pick and choose which techniques are right for you. Teal’s resonating words will sit with your soul long after you put this book down and will serve as guideposts on the way to complete self-love, no matter who you are or where you are in life.
344 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2015
266 people are currently reading
2027 people want to read
About the author
Teal Swan
20 books584 followersTeal Swan is a personal transformation revolutionary. She was born with a range of extrasensory abilities and is a survivor of severe childhood abuse. Today she uses her gifts as well as her own harrowing life experience to inspire millions of people towards authenticity, freedom, and joy and teaching people how to transform their emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual pain.
The result when people are restored to wholeness is that the world will be restored to wholeness. Teal Swan's teachings invite people to step fully into their authenticity, knowing that this will bring about the positive change that we want to see in the world.
The result when people are restored to wholeness is that the world will be restored to wholeness. Teal Swan's teachings invite people to step fully into their authenticity, knowing that this will bring about the positive change that we want to see in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 2, 2016
For those not in the know, Teal Swan is a new voice in the New Age guru industry. While looking for something else, I found her videos on YouTube and thought that they were interesting, so when I spotted her most recent written work at a local bookstore, I thought I'd try it out. Perhaps my expectations were a bit too high. She has produced a book containing basically good advice, but it's mostly Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT - although not labelled as such) described by someone who has neither the education nor experience to make it work. To cover up her lack of knowledge in this area, she taints it by giving everything she says some kind of other-worldly spiritual meaning, so it seems "profound" when it's really just dealing with basic psychological processes. It presents 29 "tools" in an overambitious volume that would be confusing to the average insecure reader lacking in self-confidence who wouldn't know where to start. That reader would try a few things, decide they didn't work, and that would be that. Ms Swan got her money but did her reader get any real benefit?
You could argue that it's up to the reader to decide what they want to get from it, and on that score you would be right. Yet I think the writers of this kind of literature have a great responsibility to their readers, to really understand them and how difficult it actually is to make this kind of changed thinking work. To encourage her readers, Ms Swan presents a short biography, in which she claims she had a rough start in life and was able to pull herself out of both her awful circumstances and their destructive after-effects. Good on her, we applaud her for that. But the story is so bereft of detail and emotional power, I started to doubt its veracity. It came across as smug, as if she's saying, "Of course I was able to do this, and because I did, so can you." She is often presumptuous: for example, in the chapter called "Stepping Into Your Purpose", she says that when you're trying to figure out what to do with your life, your life purpose should "take no effort" as if hard work is unnecessary. But then she qualifies this by saying it may take some "exertion and dedication" but that this effort will be joyful. Pardon me, but I can't believe any wisdom could be quite so facile. She doesn't always explain her message clearly, often jumps to conclusions and makes broad generalizations. She presents glib solutions to managing relationships with other people that just won't work if the reader cannot communicate effectively. For example, in the chapter on "Setting Your Boundaries for Self-Trust", her basic message is that people can't hurt you unless you let them. This is true enough. But then she says, "Firmly state your case to the people around you and stand your ground." As generalized advice, that's fine, but if you are instructing people who are low in self-confidence, they don't know to do this, they don't have the necessary social skills and she offers no methodology to implement it. A lot of people just can't. It's not likely to be effective.
Because of its positive message, this book could perhaps be a support volume for somebody who was going through real therapy. To do inner work on yourself at the level this book recommends really needs proper psychotherapy with somebody who knows what they're doing. Ms Swan herself says she attended therapy and considering how well she is doing today, it had a stronger effect on her than she is willing to admit in her book. At the tender age of 24, she "realized that therapy had taken me as far as it was going to take me." But this kind of self-help material can be no more than encouragement, a stick to lean on when walking - it is not the cast that sets the bone and allows the real healing. Unfortunately many people see it as a solution to a problem, but that problem has much deeper roots that cannot be resolved by just reading a book and doing the few pencil-and-paper exercises it recommends.
You could argue that it's up to the reader to decide what they want to get from it, and on that score you would be right. Yet I think the writers of this kind of literature have a great responsibility to their readers, to really understand them and how difficult it actually is to make this kind of changed thinking work. To encourage her readers, Ms Swan presents a short biography, in which she claims she had a rough start in life and was able to pull herself out of both her awful circumstances and their destructive after-effects. Good on her, we applaud her for that. But the story is so bereft of detail and emotional power, I started to doubt its veracity. It came across as smug, as if she's saying, "Of course I was able to do this, and because I did, so can you." She is often presumptuous: for example, in the chapter called "Stepping Into Your Purpose", she says that when you're trying to figure out what to do with your life, your life purpose should "take no effort" as if hard work is unnecessary. But then she qualifies this by saying it may take some "exertion and dedication" but that this effort will be joyful. Pardon me, but I can't believe any wisdom could be quite so facile. She doesn't always explain her message clearly, often jumps to conclusions and makes broad generalizations. She presents glib solutions to managing relationships with other people that just won't work if the reader cannot communicate effectively. For example, in the chapter on "Setting Your Boundaries for Self-Trust", her basic message is that people can't hurt you unless you let them. This is true enough. But then she says, "Firmly state your case to the people around you and stand your ground." As generalized advice, that's fine, but if you are instructing people who are low in self-confidence, they don't know to do this, they don't have the necessary social skills and she offers no methodology to implement it. A lot of people just can't. It's not likely to be effective.
Because of its positive message, this book could perhaps be a support volume for somebody who was going through real therapy. To do inner work on yourself at the level this book recommends really needs proper psychotherapy with somebody who knows what they're doing. Ms Swan herself says she attended therapy and considering how well she is doing today, it had a stronger effect on her than she is willing to admit in her book. At the tender age of 24, she "realized that therapy had taken me as far as it was going to take me." But this kind of self-help material can be no more than encouragement, a stick to lean on when walking - it is not the cast that sets the bone and allows the real healing. Unfortunately many people see it as a solution to a problem, but that problem has much deeper roots that cannot be resolved by just reading a book and doing the few pencil-and-paper exercises it recommends.
September 15, 2016
A friend recommended this book to me, otherwise I would probably not have found it.
The author recounts her childhood and youth when she was abused by a “paedophile-sociopath”.
Subsequent to this abuse, Teal was addicted to cutting, was suicidal and loathed herself.
She realized she needed to learn to love herself, and thus this book presents “Teal´s tool kit to self-love”. Self-love is the highest state of all. “If you begin to cultivate self-love, everything you have ever wanted for yourself and your life will come to be.”
The first tool is a useful question to ask ourselves. We should ask ourselves this question every day for a year whenever we need to make a decision. “”What would someone who loved themselves do?” Then, of course, we need to listen to the response we get and do that.
After the 365 days, it will be a habit for you to live your life in alignment with self-love.
Each chapter presents a new tool.
Tool 2 shows us that we are deserving, tool 3 shows us how to make our number one goal happiness. Tool 4 teaches us how to “fill up our own cup”. To do this we use the question: “What are some ways that I can think of to show love to myself?”; we then write a long list of things, Examples are: Writing a list of positive aspects about myself which I really believe, Not doing things that I don´t want to do, Trusting in my higher self, and that if I “let go and trust”, I will flow in the direction of what is best for me. Teal gives us many suggestions but we should of course write our own list.
We are given 29 tools in all.
I have given the book 4 stars instead of 5 because I didn't find it that easy to read. But I found it to be an exceedingly valuable book, since self-love is one of the most important things we need to learn, perhaps the most important. This is a book one needs to purchase, so one has time to work with all Teal´s various tools. Highly recommended!
The author recounts her childhood and youth when she was abused by a “paedophile-sociopath”.
Subsequent to this abuse, Teal was addicted to cutting, was suicidal and loathed herself.
She realized she needed to learn to love herself, and thus this book presents “Teal´s tool kit to self-love”. Self-love is the highest state of all. “If you begin to cultivate self-love, everything you have ever wanted for yourself and your life will come to be.”
The first tool is a useful question to ask ourselves. We should ask ourselves this question every day for a year whenever we need to make a decision. “”What would someone who loved themselves do?” Then, of course, we need to listen to the response we get and do that.
After the 365 days, it will be a habit for you to live your life in alignment with self-love.
Each chapter presents a new tool.
Tool 2 shows us that we are deserving, tool 3 shows us how to make our number one goal happiness. Tool 4 teaches us how to “fill up our own cup”. To do this we use the question: “What are some ways that I can think of to show love to myself?”; we then write a long list of things, Examples are: Writing a list of positive aspects about myself which I really believe, Not doing things that I don´t want to do, Trusting in my higher self, and that if I “let go and trust”, I will flow in the direction of what is best for me. Teal gives us many suggestions but we should of course write our own list.
We are given 29 tools in all.
I have given the book 4 stars instead of 5 because I didn't find it that easy to read. But I found it to be an exceedingly valuable book, since self-love is one of the most important things we need to learn, perhaps the most important. This is a book one needs to purchase, so one has time to work with all Teal´s various tools. Highly recommended!
February 1, 2016
Such a life-shifting book! The greatest lesson I have learned so far is that no one on this earth can give you the love that you need. Only you can do that. Only you can be the love of your life. Self-love is absolutely terrifying, and if you're like me, completely foreign. This book breaks it down, and makes it possible. It's not some illusive, supernatural thing. It's as simple as taking a few steps and understanding a few things about the pain you feel. I read a quote somewhere that said "Self Love: It Hurts So Good" and the journey through this book was definitely not easy, but by making a conscious decision to have 2016 be my year of self-love, this book was the answer on how to figure it all out. Highly recommend it!
June 27, 2016
Never heard of this "author" but she seriously plagiarizes words/works of other individuals without giving any reference/credit. Also, the information provided is extremely polarized by the "author's" limited - and in many cases deluded - perspective. In a book about self-love the plagiarism alone should be an alarming red flag to readers. Someone who passes the work of other's off as her own lacks self-love and is certainly not an authority in self-love. Let that sink in. Less than 100 pages in I already knew this "author" and book is potentially harmful to anyone who reads it truly seeking self-love. Just because someone "writes" a book does not make him/her an expert. Discernment is needed. This book/"author" is more a lesson in "what not to do". This book will go into the recycle bin. Step 1 in self-love: stay far away from this book and the toxic person(s) behind it.
October 9, 2018
"Forgiveness is the practice of making peace with where you are"
It's hard to write a review on books like this.
Teal has synesthesia and extrasensory perception. These two let her 'see' different types of energies. As she is talking about her own experience with self hatred/love, she also talks about her way of understanding things in an energetic level.
The book consists of two parts:
1) Teal's story. She talks about her past traumas detached from emotion. Just facts that had happened. Maybe sometimes in an disorganized way. And some details seem out of topic.
2) Teal's Tool kit to self-love. I found it very interesting and helpful. If one way doesn't work, - like most of the energy work. I simply don't feel or control energy - then another one does. If your intuition is set on mute, then just work with your mind and emotions. Not every one knows the language of intuition.
Then there are all the ideas that we could argue about. I find most of Teal's 'theories' very right if she doesn't get too extreme with them. For example: I do believe that the Devine has a plan for everyone of us. But I don't believe that when I let the book just open, then the page that appears is ment to be read by me. Although there is a path, there is still room for choices and coincidence.
Another example: I believe that everything is somehow connected. But this doesn't make everything one and the same thing. Logically, you can only connect separate things. Meaning: when I become happy, all the others become happy, is a misleading statement.
Another example: Energies are important. Everything is energy. But yet we are created to live in the material world. It's like psychology. Stressed people get more sick. Doesn't mean that when you are relaxed, you won't ever ever get sick. Mental and spiritual health have an effect on us, but it's normally not stronger than the material reasons.
I can go on and on. Do we create our own reality? Yes and no (think about delusions). Is happiness the purpose? Definitely no (but it's ok for now. People need to heal first so let's assume so). Can we love others if we don't love ourselves? Definitely yes.
I also disagree with giving our parents the reason for self-hatred or blame. I was a happy child. I even think that my inner child could care for me more than the other way around.
Summary:
I give this book 3 stars because I find the Tool Kit very helpful. I haven't read other books about that topic so it's hard to compare. I do know people who perceive energies - a little different than Teal - but I still don't support all her thoughts. Between the lines you can easily detect theories of this new 'religion' which is spreading everywhere. Sometimes it seems reasonable, but it's not. I wouldn't recommend it to most people I know.
It's hard to write a review on books like this.
Teal has synesthesia and extrasensory perception. These two let her 'see' different types of energies. As she is talking about her own experience with self hatred/love, she also talks about her way of understanding things in an energetic level.
The book consists of two parts:
1) Teal's story. She talks about her past traumas detached from emotion. Just facts that had happened. Maybe sometimes in an disorganized way. And some details seem out of topic.
2) Teal's Tool kit to self-love. I found it very interesting and helpful. If one way doesn't work, - like most of the energy work. I simply don't feel or control energy - then another one does. If your intuition is set on mute, then just work with your mind and emotions. Not every one knows the language of intuition.
Then there are all the ideas that we could argue about. I find most of Teal's 'theories' very right if she doesn't get too extreme with them. For example: I do believe that the Devine has a plan for everyone of us. But I don't believe that when I let the book just open, then the page that appears is ment to be read by me. Although there is a path, there is still room for choices and coincidence.
Another example: I believe that everything is somehow connected. But this doesn't make everything one and the same thing. Logically, you can only connect separate things. Meaning: when I become happy, all the others become happy, is a misleading statement.
Another example: Energies are important. Everything is energy. But yet we are created to live in the material world. It's like psychology. Stressed people get more sick. Doesn't mean that when you are relaxed, you won't ever ever get sick. Mental and spiritual health have an effect on us, but it's normally not stronger than the material reasons.
I can go on and on. Do we create our own reality? Yes and no (think about delusions). Is happiness the purpose? Definitely no (but it's ok for now. People need to heal first so let's assume so). Can we love others if we don't love ourselves? Definitely yes.
I also disagree with giving our parents the reason for self-hatred or blame. I was a happy child. I even think that my inner child could care for me more than the other way around.
Summary:
I give this book 3 stars because I find the Tool Kit very helpful. I haven't read other books about that topic so it's hard to compare. I do know people who perceive energies - a little different than Teal - but I still don't support all her thoughts. Between the lines you can easily detect theories of this new 'religion' which is spreading everywhere. Sometimes it seems reasonable, but it's not. I wouldn't recommend it to most people I know.
May 18, 2016
Shortly, Shadows Before Dawn is on of the books written by Teal Swan to, basically, help and promote self-love. Teal had a rough childhood, also adulthood. She was molested by a certain man and a whole satanic cult for 13 years. And after that, she blamed herself and needed to find a way to ''love herself'' again. There are some theories which state that none of this has ever happened, but that won't be included in my review.
Please consider that I was not in a need for some sort of self-help books and I have no idea why did I even read this. Seriously.
So, let't start with the ''pros''. I really do appreciate the struggle and the will to help people and also come in public with this type of story. The book itself consist of 29 different ways to start loving yourself. And mostly they are all the same. Tell yourself you love yourself, stand in front of a mirror, cry, meditate, write something on a piece of paper.. Personaly, I am not the type to be influenced by a book by means I will change my personality. I think that someone who has gone through a lot of hardships could better use the help of psychologist. But, for somone who just needs a little push to start making things better for himself/herself, this could work.
And now, the reason why I rated this with barely 2 stars. She considers herself as a psychic. She sees the auras. Someone in need or desperate to take the advices in this book seriously will consider you superior, you DON'T need to make yourself psychic to make it more beliveable. And if that wasn't enough, the thing that made me mad the most is her interfering with medicine and serious topics as cancer. For example, she said that cancer cells are caused by negative energy and negative thinking. And how shallow it is to think that diseases are caused by viruses just because viruses are visible. Of course everything is caused by negative energy. And so on, without even thinking about the consequences of this idiocity. I repeat, people who take her seriously could take even this information as an ultimate truth (conspirational theories are getting kinda popular). I don't even have to state the outcomes.
To sum it up, would I recommend this book to someone? No. If you are feeling down or even suicidal, a book can't help you. You need special help, someone who will treat the reasons why your are feeling this way. You don't need to stand in front of the mirror and repeat how beautiful your hair is today. And you don't need this book.
Please consider that I was not in a need for some sort of self-help books and I have no idea why did I even read this. Seriously.
So, let't start with the ''pros''. I really do appreciate the struggle and the will to help people and also come in public with this type of story. The book itself consist of 29 different ways to start loving yourself. And mostly they are all the same. Tell yourself you love yourself, stand in front of a mirror, cry, meditate, write something on a piece of paper.. Personaly, I am not the type to be influenced by a book by means I will change my personality. I think that someone who has gone through a lot of hardships could better use the help of psychologist. But, for somone who just needs a little push to start making things better for himself/herself, this could work.
And now, the reason why I rated this with barely 2 stars. She considers herself as a psychic. She sees the auras. Someone in need or desperate to take the advices in this book seriously will consider you superior, you DON'T need to make yourself psychic to make it more beliveable. And if that wasn't enough, the thing that made me mad the most is her interfering with medicine and serious topics as cancer. For example, she said that cancer cells are caused by negative energy and negative thinking. And how shallow it is to think that diseases are caused by viruses just because viruses are visible. Of course everything is caused by negative energy. And so on, without even thinking about the consequences of this idiocity. I repeat, people who take her seriously could take even this information as an ultimate truth (conspirational theories are getting kinda popular). I don't even have to state the outcomes.
To sum it up, would I recommend this book to someone? No. If you are feeling down or even suicidal, a book can't help you. You need special help, someone who will treat the reasons why your are feeling this way. You don't need to stand in front of the mirror and repeat how beautiful your hair is today. And you don't need this book.
August 10, 2015
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys and follows Teal Swan and anyone who is having difficulty truly loving themselves. She has walked the walk and really understands what people who have low self esteem are going through. She has many tried and true exercises and other tools to use.A hearty thumbs up!
June 14, 2020
This has calmed me down so much the past days, I needed it. I will go back and reread it over and over again; I appreciate it so much.
July 20, 2017
A few points worth considering--questioning if you'd treat your child self the way you treat your current self especially had me blubbering for a bit--but overall, the same ol' crap--"Believe this because I say so." Also, the "I want to keep things real and bring them down to a less-esoteric place that we all can relate to--but did I mention I see auras and energies in water?"--was...worthy of a side-eye to say the least.
August 19, 2015
This is a great book! I recommend this book to anyone who is human. Loved it.
June 13, 2017
this book is life changing
it teach e you how to really love your self
i have read many self love books and i can say this is the best out of them
it teach e you how to really love your self
i have read many self love books and i can say this is the best out of them
May 23, 2019
I love Teal Swan's accessible, incisive writing style. She never talks down to you or hides behind a smug, sanctimonious therapist-guru persona. Her inspirational quotes have hard truths, not just comforting lies. She shows her scars, and shows you how to heal yours without bandaids and bravado. Her sincerity shines through and she shares her experience and lets you in on how she coped with guileless candor and succinct, seamless prose. This book didn't have that grating lobotomized Pollyanna tone because she recoils at perma-positivity, and insists on confronting, not denying negatives so the cynics and nihilists can read this without choking on artificial sweetener. But that's not to say it doesn't have that law of attraction mindset--it does, but her message is we don't deny and suppress reality or it'll leak out in other ways. Her emotional intelligence is so on point; I recommend watching her YouTube videos before reading this though! First one I saw that pulled me in was "The Victim Control Dynamic," and since then I've watched most all of them. They're divided into topic playlists too, which helps you wade through years of content.
December 26, 2020
Teal has already been an absolutely life changing presence in my life since so many months. She has made me want to LIVE, maybe for the first time in my entire life. I already didn't know how to express my gratitude or payback to her in any way. And now that I have read her book, that feeling has multiplied ten-folds! Just a beauty of a book. Life changing, intriguing, deeply moving, filled with infinte wisdom and soo thought-provoking! The english language doesn't have enough words for the depth of feelings I am experiencing right now.. Have you ever run across individuals, who sooo incredibly change your life and YOU, that you cannot believe your eyes? That's Teal for me. Great book! :') Infinte Love!!
October 5, 2022
Read this for research and wow. Can’t wait to do a deep dive on this one. It’s all the worst parts of a Rachel Hollis book with an added twist of Swan preparing her audience to make her a cult leader
January 28, 2024
i owe my life to teal swan so i could never give anything this woman creates less than 5 million stars.
"you can see that beauty in its most absolute forms is not virgin to rancor. instead... it comes from it."
"you can see that beauty in its most absolute forms is not virgin to rancor. instead... it comes from it."
September 13, 2025
Should be on every living persons bookshelf. The self-respect, the self-love and the self-awareness you can develop throughout this book is amazing. I imagine if everyone took the time to read it and embody the wisdom, the world would be a better place.
August 1, 2015
Written for people far more destitute than me! Teal has had a truly horrific life and her advice, I'm sure, is useful for some. The section on accepting your body was interesting but a lot of it was written for people who hate themselves and want to die. Thankfully I have never had that feeling.
February 3, 2021
This book contains a collection of exercises that can teach self-love. Some exercises will speak out to a person more than others. I've been working on finally improving my self-love and self-awareness since almost exactly last year with a variety of inner self exercises and tests. By the time I bought this book (and actually finished the last page) more recently, I've made improvements to myself.
Still, I found several chapters and pages to be inspirational and helpful.
I realized that my core issues are self-deprecation and self-doubt out of the 8 types of self-sabotage. In fact, I was able to detect these types in others around me and how it likely affects our dynamics.
Some other parts of the book were just reminders. Our value and worth is based off our own happiness and peace of mind rather than the acceptance, shoulds, attention, and faulty opinions of others. There's no need to punish or deprive oneself, feel ashamed or afraid, and ignore one's true feelings in order to feel loved by others. Too many people have pride in suffering, but that's not self-love. Everyone feels pain, but suffering is a choice (and not a loving one.)
I like the idea about visualizations of my inner child since I've done it before. That has been the most helpful tool because I do picture a living and thinking child version of myself watching my decisions, and I would never hurt a child. So how could I do something awful to the child inside me? Currently, I have an actual baby inside myself, so I wouldn't want this little person to self-harm and self-hate because of some terrible example I leave imprinted.
It just puts everything in perspective.
Towards the end of the book there is a focus on passion and purpose. Yes, passion can trump intellect when a person finds self-love. If we don't choose our life purpose then someone else will do it for us. I've had to think about my values and gifts to give the world these last few months, and I've been unloving and depriving myself and others of my happiness for a while now.
The right tools can help a person be honest with themselves (self-awareness) so they can work on their true flaws (and not what others think those are). I think I found this book at the thriftstore for a reason.
I've accepted my natural gifts and talents that give me and my surrounding world meaning (even if most are likely to go unpaid), and that shows that I'm learning to love myself more.
Still, I found several chapters and pages to be inspirational and helpful.
I realized that my core issues are self-deprecation and self-doubt out of the 8 types of self-sabotage. In fact, I was able to detect these types in others around me and how it likely affects our dynamics.
Some other parts of the book were just reminders. Our value and worth is based off our own happiness and peace of mind rather than the acceptance, shoulds, attention, and faulty opinions of others. There's no need to punish or deprive oneself, feel ashamed or afraid, and ignore one's true feelings in order to feel loved by others. Too many people have pride in suffering, but that's not self-love. Everyone feels pain, but suffering is a choice (and not a loving one.)
I like the idea about visualizations of my inner child since I've done it before. That has been the most helpful tool because I do picture a living and thinking child version of myself watching my decisions, and I would never hurt a child. So how could I do something awful to the child inside me? Currently, I have an actual baby inside myself, so I wouldn't want this little person to self-harm and self-hate because of some terrible example I leave imprinted.
It just puts everything in perspective.
Towards the end of the book there is a focus on passion and purpose. Yes, passion can trump intellect when a person finds self-love. If we don't choose our life purpose then someone else will do it for us. I've had to think about my values and gifts to give the world these last few months, and I've been unloving and depriving myself and others of my happiness for a while now.
The right tools can help a person be honest with themselves (self-awareness) so they can work on their true flaws (and not what others think those are). I think I found this book at the thriftstore for a reason.
I've accepted my natural gifts and talents that give me and my surrounding world meaning (even if most are likely to go unpaid), and that shows that I'm learning to love myself more.
August 29, 2021
I took my time reading this wonderful book.
It is a toolkit to find your truth, to come out of the shadows and claim the you that you came here to be.
Anyone who has been through trauma and /or lives their life through the lens of limited belief systems - which we all do to some extent, will benefit from reading this book.
As a coach I am aware of many of the concepts and insights this book offers, but to read something with a beginners eyes is actually refreshing. I am also interested this topic not only for myself personally but also for coaching practice.
I have underlined many passages because Teal has this ability to say things in a easy and simple way that makes sense...but don’t let that make you think this is easy - it is very deep stuff.
Sitting with the powerful statements in this book takes time and it’s not something to be rushed. To do inner work is to be vulnerable and courageous and this book is gentle but direct in its approach.
I would advise seeking the help of a professional rather than try and heal your inner wounds on your own using a book, but this is perfect for those who need reminders or want to have access to tools to start or maintain a self-love practice. We all need a toolkit to navigate through life in a loving way and this may well be the book you are looking for.
4/5
It is a toolkit to find your truth, to come out of the shadows and claim the you that you came here to be.
Anyone who has been through trauma and /or lives their life through the lens of limited belief systems - which we all do to some extent, will benefit from reading this book.
As a coach I am aware of many of the concepts and insights this book offers, but to read something with a beginners eyes is actually refreshing. I am also interested this topic not only for myself personally but also for coaching practice.
I have underlined many passages because Teal has this ability to say things in a easy and simple way that makes sense...but don’t let that make you think this is easy - it is very deep stuff.
Sitting with the powerful statements in this book takes time and it’s not something to be rushed. To do inner work is to be vulnerable and courageous and this book is gentle but direct in its approach.
I would advise seeking the help of a professional rather than try and heal your inner wounds on your own using a book, but this is perfect for those who need reminders or want to have access to tools to start or maintain a self-love practice. We all need a toolkit to navigate through life in a loving way and this may well be the book you are looking for.
4/5
October 4, 2022
I've always loved Teal Swan and I always learn a lot from her, whether it be her videos or the books she wrote. This book had 29 tool kits for self love. All of them covered various ways and aspects in which we can show self love. She explained all the things really well and the fact that I've read other books of her as well made it even easier to understand.
But even for someone reading her work for the first time, she has explained things in a quite simple manner with apt examples.
This book was really helpful to me, I noted down, highlighted the important parts, and have been using the tools in my daily life. It has changed my life a lot and I believe if I continue with this journey of self love, things will get a lot better for me.
I'm genuinely so grateful to her for sharing her knowledge, her own story and giving people like me hopes that you can get out of anything and live a really beautiful life. I'm glad I read this book.
If you're really committed to changing things for the better, to improve yourself and your life, to give yourself the love you deserve, you should definitely read this book!
But even for someone reading her work for the first time, she has explained things in a quite simple manner with apt examples.
This book was really helpful to me, I noted down, highlighted the important parts, and have been using the tools in my daily life. It has changed my life a lot and I believe if I continue with this journey of self love, things will get a lot better for me.
I'm genuinely so grateful to her for sharing her knowledge, her own story and giving people like me hopes that you can get out of anything and live a really beautiful life. I'm glad I read this book.
If you're really committed to changing things for the better, to improve yourself and your life, to give yourself the love you deserve, you should definitely read this book!
Read
June 27, 2019I haven’t read the whole book yet, but it has already changed my life. The “What would someone who loved themselves do?” process alone has made a huge difference. I’ve been applying that process for a couple years now and my life has changed so much! Just try that one process if you want to try one self-love exercise.
Also, the one with the glass of water has surprised me with how effective it is.
Also, the one with the glass of water has surprised me with how effective it is.
February 4, 2022
A very insightful book about transforming your painful circumstances to making it become a part of your journey, and discovering that you are, and have always been: "the love of your life". This book helped me gain more self-love in a time when I was needing it. Teal Swan is a profound and important healer for our generation, and she is trailblazing a new path for the ultimate and highest form of healing, integration, self-love, truth, and self-discovery.
September 16, 2024
Some useful tools
Teal Swan's story at the first half of the book sounds very horrible. It is unfortunare that she had to go through all this and how many other children are going right now through such experiences without anyone being aware of it.
The second half of the book offers some self-love and healing tips. I managed to connect to some and see their potential. I will definitely try to incorporate them in myself.
Teal Swan's story at the first half of the book sounds very horrible. It is unfortunare that she had to go through all this and how many other children are going right now through such experiences without anyone being aware of it.
The second half of the book offers some self-love and healing tips. I managed to connect to some and see their potential. I will definitely try to incorporate them in myself.
January 19, 2025
This book only remotely works for you are into the new age metaphysical sphere and mindset. Otherwise it reads as woo woo delusions. I will give it to Teal she is an excellent writer and it's very captivating how she spins words together and is capable of making you resonate with what she's saying. I really did want to enjoy this book after finding her on YouTube but it's asking too much of the reader to jump on to a new way of believing from 0 to 60.
October 17, 2021
This is the Bible of self-love. If you want a single book that covers all the topics then go for this. I have changed so much because of this book. It is the light at the end of the tunnel. It is recommended by a therapist. It has exercises, letters, journal prompts etc which help you get out of your fears, issues, relationship problems etc
January 2, 2023
“The painful part of our lives don’t come up to torment us and ruin our lives. They appear so that we can learn how to embrace ourselves with compassion and be healed. When we struggle against part of ourselves, we cannot heal. Your love will always be conditional as long as you are excluding any part of yourself from your love, including your pain. If we learn to love ourselves genuinely, we will embrace the whole universe.” - pg 65 & 72
July 15, 2017
Pretty well written book! I felt it was inspiring. I bought it when I was at a weekend where Teal was presenting with Gabrielle Bernstein and I thought she was interesting and had a good perspective. I am planning to pass this book onto a friend going through a separation.
February 7, 2018
I loved the book and some of the tools are very simple for every day while some require a bit more effort. However I believe that all of them are useful and using just a handful of them will bring improvement for everyone
June 7, 2018
i'm in tears...
I highly recommend this book to anyone who struggles with self-acceptance.
the exercises really go in depth so you really need to dig deep to come to the core
of your problems. it is a true masterpiece.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who struggles with self-acceptance.
the exercises really go in depth so you really need to dig deep to come to the core
of your problems. it is a true masterpiece.
Read
January 26, 2021If you really want to learn to love yourself, this book is the only guide I have found to start somewhere. It really doesn't matter at what point you are to start. I will take you time to move thru it so you know learning with it is a lot of fun.
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