Calm in a Book: Soothing Self-Care Rituals for Every Day

by My Self-Love Supply

Find calm every day with this pocket-sized self-care manual featuring simple rituals, journal prompts, activities, and affirmations from the creator behind the hit Instagram account My Self-Love Supply.

This beautifully illustrated guide provides reminders and routines to get you back on track when life gets tough—all backed by simple science. The book is divided into four Calm in a Book, Feeling Calm, Feeling Mindful, and Feeling Centered, each

reflective journal pagesprompts and mood trackersempowering words of affirmationsoothing activities and illustrations, and more
Filled with lovely, vibrant artwork, self-care routines, and accessible practices you can tailor to your own needs, Calm in a Book will help you feel happier and more centered.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

160 pages, Hardcover

Published March 17, 2026

Reviews

[Erin]

ARC for review. To be published March 17, 2026.

3 stars

There’s actually a real author for this book, I’m not sure why she listed the author as the company name…that just gives me cult-like vibes. This is a perfectly fine self-help book, you’ve probably read or heard most of this before, but some of the prompts were new to me. If you like this sort of thing, this one will likely work for you.

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Calm in a Book is a beautiful pocket-sized (I believe as I read the netgalley book) book perfect to carry around with you for those moments you may need it.
I found this a very helpful little book which for me would be great in those situations when I begin to spiral with my anxiety to help ground me and remind me of things to do to help myself calm and get through the moment.
The book includes reminders and ideas, little rituals, affirmations, activities, trackers, and journal prompts, too. The illustrations are soothing and calming throughout and very pretty to look at.
This would make a great book for anyone who is beginning self-care practices for anxiety and times of feeling overwhelmed but is also a great little book to carry for refreshing more practised users, too.

[hallie]

I loved it! Such a cute little intro book to self care and rituals + habits that promote good mental health & well being. Highly recommend this book to anyone who’s on their wellness + self love journey 💕✨

[Jenn Marshall]

It is easy to understand and is written to explain the why behind these activities also. I did find a couple that I have not tried before, but most of the activities are things I was taught how to do as a beginner. Still worth checking out, but a beginner might find it more helpful.

4 stars

[Em]

Oh, life.

I stepped away from this book for a while and, when I picked it back up, returned to Part 2, “Feeling Rested,” having forgotten much of what I’d read previously. Oh, the irony.

Here it is, early August, and just three months ago I was planning to have a more easeful summer. Instead, life intervened: a busy workload (yes, those of us who work in academia can still be very busy during the summer!), house hunting, and a bad cold. I picked this book back up at exactly the time when I desperately needed to "feel rested. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve truly felt rested since February 2025.

Perhaps that’s why this book landed so differently when I returned to it.

First, this is a lovely book to look at. The graphics are pretty, simple, and soothing, and they complement the content beautifully. I especially loved the graphic explaining the seven types of rest. Author Sofia Pellaschiar explains each type, identifies the goal, and then gives practical suggestions for getting that particular kind of rest. It’s simple, useful, and easy to absorb.

The discussion of burnout particularly resonated with me. I’ve experienced burnout in several jobs for different reasons, and this section reminded me that even when I can’t change everything about a stressful situation, I can take mini breaks during my workday. Sometimes we already know what we need to do—we just need to be reminded to actually do it.

That became something of a theme for me while reading "Calm in a Book." Much of the information wasn’t new to me, but that didn’t make it less valuable. I appreciated having so many useful practices gathered together and presented in such an accessible, attractive way. And what is familiar to one reader may be eye-opening to another. I didn’t really understand the mind-body connection until I was nearly 30, but that was back in the day when practically no one was talking about it!

Part 3, “Feeling Mindful,” is a wonderful little primer on mindfulness. Again, much of it was familiar to me, but I loved having everything in one place. The five-senses check-in was a particularly good reminder. I’d forgotten just how calming such a simple exercise can be.

Then comes Part 4, “Feeling Centered,” which begins with affirmations. Mine is “I let go of what doesn’t serve me.” I also loved the gratitude mindfulness exercise using the fingers. That one actually was new to me. I’m ready to buy the book for that exercise alone.

I also enjoyed the suggestions for creating a morning routine, but “Embracing Imperfection” may have been the biggest surprise for me. I’ve read and heard plenty about this subject before, yet something about the way Pellaschiar presented it really struck a chord. Familiar advice can sometimes reach us differently depending on where we are in life, and this did.

It’s also worth noting that Sofia Pellaschiar has legitimate credentials behind her work, including graduate degrees in psychology and mental health, and she is currently pursuing a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience. I appreciated knowing that her self-care advice is grounded in relevant education and research, not simply her large social media following.

Circling back to Part 1, the Introduction is short and clearly explains what the book is designed to do: help us feel more rested, mindful, and centered. I also really like the table of contents. With a book like this, I want to know what’s ahead and be able to jump directly to whatever I need at that particular moment.

And that may be the best way to approach "Calm in a Book." I don’t think this is necessarily a book you need to sit down and read straight through from beginning to end. It’s a book to use. Pick it up when you’re exhausted. Pick it up when your brain won’t quiet down. Try an exercise. Do a journaling prompt. Revisit something you already know but have forgotten to practice. (Raises hand.)

Overall, this is a lovely collection of self-care practices, reminders, exercises, prompts, and soothing visuals. I can easily imagine keeping a copy on my nightstand or in a favorite reading nook and reaching for it when life gets to be a little too much. Even if you buy the Kindle version, the journaling exercises can easily be completed in a separate journal.

I think this would make a wonderful gift for yourself or for a woman in your life whom you love. As for me? I read a digital ARC, and I plan to buy a physical copy. That probably says more about how I feel about this book than anything else I could write.

Thank you to NetGalley, publisher Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press, and Sofia Pellaschiar for allowing me to read and review a digital ARC of "Calm in a Book: Soothing Self-Care Rituals for Every Day." I look forward to seeing what Pellaschiar creates next.

[The Sassy Bookworm]

Book Review: Calm in a Book: Soothing Self-Care Rituals for Every Day by My Self-Love Supply

Rating: 4 Stars

I recently picked up Calm in a Book, and it’s a real gem for anyone looking to bring a little peace into their daily routine. The book is this beautifully illustrated, pocket-sized guide packed with simple yet effective self-care rituals. It’s created by the lovely mind behind the popular Instagram account My Self-Love Supply, so you know it’s rooted in genuine care and positivity.

The book is thoughtfully divided into four sections: Calm in a Book, Feeling Calm, Feeling Mindful, and Feeling Centered. Each part offers a mix of journal prompts, mood trackers, affirmations, and soothing activities designed to help you reset when life starts to feel overwhelming. What I appreciated most was how it doesn’t just tell you what to do but also explains the science behind why these practices work, making it incredibly approachable for beginners.

One thing that truly caught my eye was the cover—so inviting and cheerful. Inside, the vibrant artwork continues to soothe and inspire, making it a joy to flip through. I found myself reaching for it whenever anxiety crept in; its gentle reminders and rituals helped ground me and navigate those tough moments more calmly.

Whether you’re just starting your self-care journey or are already familiar with mindfulness techniques, this book offers something valuable. It’s straightforward, easy to understand, and flexible enough to tailor to your own needs. Plus, if you know someone who loves journaling or is exploring ways to handle stress and anxiety, this would make a thoughtful gift.

Overall, I’m giving Calm in a Book a solid 4 stars. It’s a charming companion for anyone looking to cultivate calmness and center themselves amidst life’s chaos. A little book with big heart!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

[Alicia Bayer]

This is a fairly generic mindfulness book filled with large text, lots of white space and simple clip art style illustrations. None of the exercises were new to me but I do a fair amount of mindfulness and gratitude practices. They are standard ones like name 5 things you see, 4 things you hear, and so on, breathing exercises, body scans, plans for what you’ll do on hard days and why (you come up with your own ideas), ways to give yourself rest, etc. There are spaces for journaling. It’s divided into four chapters like rest, feeling calm and feeling mindful. The author runs an instagram page on the topic. There is no illustrator credited anywhere in the book so I’m assuming it’s AI art and design.

If you are brand new to mindfulness and gratitude practices, this could be a good resource, or if you are looking for a gift for someone who is interested in it and who likes journaling. I would not recommend it for someone truly struggling with grief or depression or for someone already familiar with basic mindfulness and self care practices.

I read a temporary digital loan of this book via netgalley.

[Emma_bookaholic]

What a beautiful book this is! I have been suffering with anxiety for quite a while now and I saw this little book come up and wanted to read it. I'm so glad I did!

It's full of useful tips, pictures and quotes to help settle the mind, small goals to achieve such as get up, make a cup of tea, spend time outside etc. All can be checked off a to-do list which, let's be honest, checking something off always brings a smile!

I like the idea this can be referred to whenever you need it. Pocket- sized apparently although I got the ebook so haven't seen it physically but sounds good!

I will look out for more as hope its part of a series but even if it isn't, it's worth a read. Getting your mind and soul into a place of calm is always good. Makes you appreciate the now, not rush and to really look and see what is around you.

How do certain things make you feel? Write them down and do a chart to how you can do something different to make a change. Nothing changes if nothing changes!

[Laura]

Calm in a Book is a thoughtfully designed, pocket-sized resource for grounding yourself when life feels overwhelming. Filled with vibrant illustrations, simple rituals, journal prompts, and affirmations, it offers accessible practices you can return to again and again.

I appreciated how flexible this book is. The activities and reflections can be tailored to your own needs, making it easy to engage whether you have a few minutes or more time to slow down. The structure, divided into sections focused on calm, mindfulness, and centering, makes it intuitive to find what you need in the moment.

This is a lovely companion for anyone looking for gentle, everyday ways to feel more grounded and centered.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book for review.

[Ashley]

Overall, this was a pretty good book. It was easy to navigate, especially if you're picking it up in a moment of need and wanting to quickly find a section. The journal prompts helped me reflect on how the ideas in the book actually show up in my life and the illustrations made the book feel visually inviting. The simple ideas sections felt helpful for moments of decision paralysis, when doing anything feels hard but doing something matters.

Nothing felt completely new or groundbreaking in these pages, but the book offers a thoughtful and well organized collection of tips and ideas. It is a supportive resource to return to when you are looking for gentle guidance and/or grounding.

I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

[Julie B]

Calm in a Book is like a deep breath you can carry in your bag. 🌿✨

Created by the voice behind My Self-Love Supply, this little guide is packed with simple, doable ways to reset when life feels overwhelming. I love how it’s broken into sections like Feeling Calm, Mindful, and Centered — so you can flip right to what you need in the moment.

The journal prompts are thoughtful without being intimidating, the affirmations feel genuinely empowering (not cheesy), and the mood trackers and tiny rituals make self-care actually feel manageable. Plus, the artwork is so vibrant and soothing — it just makes you want to slow down.

It’s sweet, practical, and encouraging — the perfect pick-me-up for tough days or a gentle daily reset. 💛

[Jada]

As someone who takes self-care seriously, I found this book incredibly timely and helpful. The prompts and exercises were meaningful and made me pause to really connect with myself—something that’s easy to neglect in a busy world. I especially appreciated how accessible and non-judgmental the tone was; it felt like a friend guiding me gently back to center. I would absolutely purchase a physical copy to revisit regularly and deepen my self-care routine. I gave this book 5 stars. It's a must-read for anyone looking to bring more mindfulness, reflection, and calm into their lives. Thanks Netgalley for this arc.

[Dawn]

I received this book from the publisher, and after working through a few initial issues reading it across my devices, I found myself genuinely enjoying it. What stood out to me most were the clear lists and concrete examples, as well as the fact that the book avoids unnecessary long-winded explanations. Its practical focus really worked for me.
I would have loved to see more hands-on exercises like the one on page 37, since I tend to understand concepts best when I can write, apply, and test ideas immediately. That said, I truly appreciated the book overall and could absolutely see myself purchasing a copy once it’s officially released.

[Melissa Biskie]

This is a great book for beginners and the breakdown of rest, mindful, and centered is brilliant. I will definitely recommend this for teens too. I wish there was more space for others to add more of my own writing into the book to take notes. (Obviously since this is digital I had a journal) It would be great to add more reflection on why the reader needed the book so they could see the progress in the future.

[Rachel S]

If you’ve ever thought, “Wait. How am I supposed to take care of myself again?” this is a great book to pick up. It’s a good reminder of practices to bring calm to your life and some you may not have learned yet. This is a beautiful book and a kind, guiding hand to create calm. It could be a good gift to a friend in need or to yourself.

I received this book to review from NetGalley and the publisher.

[cc]

e-ARC from NetGalley

3.75

this book was beautiful, but it seemed very basic and not particularly innovative. it doesn't necessarily need to be innovative, but I expected something slightly different than I got.

worth a read, though, and would look lovely on someone's coffee table. a part of me would like to have some of the pages enlarged, printed, framed, and hung on my walls.

[Ronda Kelley]

There were many helpful hints in here on how to start easy self care rituals and also lots of journaling prompts and segments to incur thought into self care. The illustrations were lovely and the visuals were soothing. This is a book I would revisit often. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC to review.

[April Dominguez]

This was lovely! Pocket-sized and included several affirmations and daily, short rituals to try. If that's what you're looking for, then this is for you!

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley and the publishers.

[S]

I enjoyed the book, even though many of the ideas were things I had heard before. It was still a pleasant read and a good reminder of the importance of self-care. I appreciated the suggestions and practical ideas it shared for practicing self-care in everyday life.

[Melanie]

Calm in a Book is an interesting set of guidelines on how to provide self-care in different aspects. From being mindful to taking a mental reset, this provides tips and ways to get the rest and bring the right amount of calmness to your life.

[Crimson Books]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5 Stars)

Recently re-read it

I picked up Calm in a Book by My Self-Love Supply because, to be honest, I am not the best at being calm at all. It is something I need to learn how to bring into my life so I can start to find some peace, instead of chasing chaos like it's a sport.

I have taken my time with this book, not just to read it but to put what it offers into practice. I have kept a journal alongside reading this because I always like to keep a log of new things I am trying, so I can see if anything changes. I was also hoping this would encourage me to slow down and reconnect with myself—or, who knows, maybe even find myself without all the weight I've held onto for so long.

What I appreciated is that it doesn't try to tell you how to do everything; it's more of a gentle push. What I also took from reading and doing the practices is that without making these changes, life will not suddenly become stress-free.

You need to actively work on creating the environment and practices that lead you to your own peace. It does this by offering gentle reminders and practical exercises that encourage you to pause, reflect, and start to be a little kinder to yourself day by day.By doing my journaling through this, I saw a pattern of it not coming easily, and there was some resistance at first.

Yet, I understood that it was this way because chaos is all I have ever truly known. Peace and being stress-free was a destination I had never been to before, so it was weird and felt unnatural to me at first.The layout of this book is easy to follow and is split into sections so it's not too much to handle all at once.

This makes it more digestible for myself and others who want to make small changes and have them stick before moving on to more. It felt less like something I had to finish and more like something I could return to whenever I needed a moment to focus on learning how to be calm.

Through this book, I have been encouraged to have more positive self-reflection rather than negativity. I have now been looking into other books about similar topics, thanks to this book helping me to open up to peace through small, doable actions rather than trying to control everything.

This book isn't amazing, but it does help to clear the fog so you can start to see that life and things can be different when you invest in yourself with small actions done daily.

It reminds me that taking care of myself isn't selfish—it's something that is frequently needed for my well-being. It is also a show of self-love because I am looking after myself.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.

[Claireybooks]

This is the gentle parenting of wellbeing books.

Although a lot of the subject matter was basic and what you'd imagine, the prompts and activities were golden!
A lovely, compact little reminder that you're the only you and you should take care of you - You should take care of you the way you'd take care of your best friend.

I'm not an affirmations kind of person, but repeating (in my head) that I don't have to earn rest - hit different.
I do actually think I'll come back to this one in the future.

I would recommend, especially if you're just getting into self care but unsure where to start.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the Author for a copy in exchange for a review.