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Feel

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I am not a victim. I am a survivor.”

It’s time to free yourself from the Narcissist! In FEEL, artist S.M.Wells shares her two-year healing journey following a lifetime of narcissistic abuse.Through vivid storytelling, she opens up about her experiences with emotional trauma and abuse. Beginning in childhood and continuing into adulthood, she uncovers the destructive patterns that kept her in abusive cycles. Most importantly, this is a journey of self-discovery and healing through art.

More than a memoir, FEEL is a powerful reflection on healing, survival, and self-reclamation. Through honest storytelling and lessons drawn from CBT therapy, meditation, and inner work, Wells offers guidance for survivors, young adults, and anyone working to break free from toxic cycles. This book sheds light on narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), raises awareness about Tourette’s Syndrome, and challenges mental health stigmas. Above all, FEEL empowers readers to recognize red flags, trust their instincts, and reclaim their identity.
Your truth matters.

S.M.Wells explores the impact of narcissism in interpersonal relationships, patterns of alcohol addiction, and how to break generational cycles by reclaiming identity through self-discovery.

Foreword by Miguelina Felix, M.Ed., M.S.

Paired with the Visual Companion booklet, this completes S.M.Wells’ healing journey through both visual and written storytelling.

About the

S.M. Wells is an Artist, Live Wedding Painter, and Founder of SHANPAINTS. Based in New England, she is known for her expressive, vibrant oil paintings and emotionally charged work. With a BFA in Studio for Interrelated Media (SIM) from Massart Boston, she traveled across the country pursuing her creative dreams, by transforming pain into purpose and using her art as a form of healing.

About the Foreword Author/Editor
Lina is a dedicated education leader with over 12 years of experience working closely with students, families, and school communities. She currently serves as the Operations Manager for Special Education In-District classrooms, and is also pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine arts (Oil painting) and two Masters degrees—one in Public Relations with a focus in Crisis Management, and the other in Special Education (K-12)
Lina blends creativity, empathy, and leadership in everything she does. She is a dynamic leader in district-based education models, and her work reflects a deep understanding of the healing power of human connection.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2025

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About the author

S.M. Wells

2 books

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for Sneha.
344 reviews32 followers
January 30, 2026
This book starts with “I am not a victim. I am a survivor.” and honestly? That’s your warning label. FEEL is raw, emotional, and straight-up soul-exposing. No fluff. No filters. Just truth that sits with you long after you close the book.

S.M. Wells takes you through a lifetime of narcissistic abuse, from childhood trauma to adult relationships that kept repeating the same painful patterns.

It’s heavy, but in that “oh wow, this makes so much sense now” kind of way. If you’ve ever ignored red flags because you were taught to doubt yourself… this one hits.

What makes FEEL different is how healing and art collide. This isn’t just a trauma dump, it’s a recovery journey. CBT therapy, meditation, inner work, and creative expression all play a role, showing that healing is messy, nonlinear, and very real.

The book also tackles big, important topics, narcissistic personality disorder, addiction cycles, Tourette’s Syndrome, and mental health stigma without sounding clinical or preachy. It’s educational, validating, and empowering all at once.

FEEL is for survivors, cycle-breakers, and anyone unlearning toxic patterns and learning how to trust themselves again. Paired with the visual companion booklet, this becomes a full-circle healing experience. Read this if you’re ready to feel, heal, and reclaim yourself.
Profile Image for Jithendra Jithu.
2,372 reviews124 followers
November 17, 2025
“FEEL” by S. M. Wells is a compelling and unflinchingly honest memoir that explores the long and difficult path from trauma to self-reclamation. From the opening chapter, Wells creates an intimate atmosphere, drawing the reader into the emotional landscape of a life shaped by narcissistic abuse. She writes with a clarity that is both vulnerable and steady, offering an account of her experiences that feels deeply personal while also resonating with universal themes of pain, endurance, and renewal. The story unfolds with a sense of sincerity that makes the reader feel as though they are witnessing a private conversation finally given permission to surface.

Wells takes the time to examine the patterns that kept her locked in cycles of emotional harm, moving carefully through memories of childhood and adulthood without sensationalism. Her reflections highlight the subtle ways manipulation, fear, and self-doubt can take root in the lives of those raised within narcissistic dynamics. Instead of simply cataloging events, she explores the psychological weight they carried and the internal struggles they created. This thoughtful approach transforms her memoir into a powerful study of how trauma shapes behavior, identity, and emotional resilience.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is how Wells integrates her artistic journey into her healing process. Art becomes more than an outlet; it becomes a lifeline that helps her confront buried emotions and reclaim her sense of self. Through painting, writing, and creative exploration, she begins to rebuild her inner world piece by piece. These moments of artistic reflection bring depth and texture to the narrative, showing how creativity can become an instrument of survival and transformation. The presence of CBT practices, meditation techniques, and emotional awareness tools further strengthens the memoir’s foundation, offering readers practical insights woven naturally into the story.

The memoir also addresses broader issues surrounding mental health, including the misunderstandings and stigma connected to conditions such as narcissistic personality disorder and Tourette’s Syndrome. Wells approaches these topics with clarity and a strong desire for awareness, using her own experiences to illustrate the importance of compassion, education, and open dialogue. Her willingness to speak openly about these subjects gives the book a wider relevance and helps readers understand the ways these conditions intersect with personal and relational experiences.

In the end, “FEEL” stands as a testament to the power of self-truth, emotional courage, and the painstaking work of breaking generational cycles. Wells does not present healing as a simple or linear path; she portrays it as an ongoing commitment to self-understanding and self-worth. Her narrative lingers with the reader, reminding them that survival is not defined by the harm endured but by the strength to rise beyond it. This memoir offers guidance, validation, and hope, making it a meaningful and impactful read for anyone on a journey toward reclaiming their identity and rebuilding their life from a place of authenticity and inner strength.
Profile Image for David William Connor.
Author 1 book5 followers
January 9, 2026
FEEL is honest and raw right down to the core, and a deeply personal memoir about surviving a powerful emotional experience and finding a way back to oneself. Based on the author’s real life, the book explores narcissism in interpersonal relationships, alcohol addiction, and the difficult process of breaking generational cycles through self-discovery and identity reclamation.

What makes this book stand out is its emotional authenticity. S.M. Wells does not soften the truth or attempt to package healing in a neat or inspirational way. The writing is vulnerable and reflective, allowing readers to sit with the pain, confusion, and realizations as they unfold. The story feels lived-in, not constructed, which lends it a sense of trust and intimacy that is rare.

Wells captures how manipulation, self-doubt, and emotional erosion can slowly become normalized, particularly when addiction is present. Rather than pointing fingers, the book focuses on awareness and accountability, showing how understanding these patterns is the first step toward ending them.

FEEL is about one's identity. It follows the process of unlearning survival behaviors, confronting inherited emotional wounds, and choosing a different path. The journey toward self-discovery is portrayed as gradual and often uncomfortable, but ultimately empowering.

This is a book for readers who appreciate introspective, emotionally driven nonfiction and who value honesty over polish. FEEL will resonate with anyone who has experienced addiction, narcissistic relationships, or the struggle to reclaim a sense of self. It is a powerful reminder that feeling deeply can be both painful and transformative.
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