How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay

by Jenny Lawson

Warm, insightful, and witty, the first book of advice from New York Times bestselling author Jenny Lawson—aka the Bloggess

Jenny Lawson is full of contradictions. She’s a celebrated author but battles self-doubt, paralysis, and anxiety. She’s an award-winning humorist but struggles with treatment-resistant depression. The questions people most often ask her are, “How do you do it? How do you keep going even when it feels impossible? How do you keep creating?” This book is her answer.

In How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay, Jenny shares more than one hundred humorous, heartfelt, and genuine tools and tricks that she relies on to keep her going even when her brain isn’t working properly due to depression, anxiety, and ADHD. She also offers tips to stay passionate and focused on creative endeavors, especially when everything around you is saying to give up.

With chapters like “Wash Your Brain More Than You Wash Your Bra” (sleep, you beautiful human), “Working on Easy Mode Is Still Working” (asking for accommodations is okay!), “Celebrate Good Times, Come On!” (make it a habit to celebrate the good things), and many more, How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay is a balm and companion, reminding us all that we are not alone. It’s for anyone who struggles with self-doubt, guilt, motivation, and mental blocks and wants to rekindle their passion for creating. Funny, simple, empathetic, and full of hope, it will encourage you not to just survive but to find and curate joy in the face of difficult times.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Memoir, Self Help, Mental Health, Adult, Biography

288 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 31, 2026

About the author

Known for her sardonic wit and her hysterically skewed outlook on life, Jenny Lawson has made millions of people question their own sanity, as they found themselves admitting that they, too, often wondered why Jesus wasn't classified as a zombie, or laughed to the point of bladder failure when she accidentally forgot that she mailed herself a cobra. Her blog (www.thebloggess.com) is award-winning and extremely popular.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've already said this in my review of I Choose Darkness, but I'm pretty sure that Jenny Lawson is my spirit animal. (And now I'm super worried that she's going to read this and be offended because I called her an animal, but I totally don't mean it in a literal sense so please don't be mad at me, okay?) I generally don't read self-help books because I am painfully aware of my mental flaws and the steps I *should* (but obviously am not) talking to correct them, but I will read anything Lawson writes so here we are.

As someone who is very ADHD and anxiety-prone (and probably also a little autistic but I grew up in an era when the only diagnosis you got for such things was “weird,” so who knows?), reading Lawson's books are always like a balm for my soul because it's nice to know that there's someone out there who would probably “get” you if you were to meet in real life. I mean, we both have/had cats named Ferris Mewler/Meweller (there are a lot of slashes in that sentence but my Ferris has long since journeyed on to the Rainbow Bridge and I went with the more complicated spelling because if I have to suffer through having a last name that no one can ever spell, then so do my pets) and pick clothes based on their ability to camouflage cat fur (no solid black or white in this house, ever) and have no idea how makeup works, so I'm pretty sure we're basically twins.

And, okay, so maybe this book is very self-help-y and I don't really do self-help, but there are still lots of little fun anecdotes that you'd expect from a Jenny Lawson book and also some of the self-help bits were really quite meaningful and empowering and might've even made me tear up a time or two. It's not a super deep read, but there's lots of helpful advice and the chapters are short which made me very happy because long chapters are a challenge to my oft-distracted squirrel brain.

Also, I could not relate more to the chapter about her making notes on her phone and then forgetting what they mean, because I email myself notes all the time and they're always near-indecipherable. Like right now I have one in my inbox that says “eff short” and it took me days to remember that it was supposed to be a reminder to buy my husband a shirt from the Electronic Frontier Foundation for Christmas, except that I typoed “shirt” and couldn't be bothered to fix it. And then when I was reading this book I wanted to mention the above in this review, so I sent myself a message that said “emails eff short” as a reminder and I couldn't remember what that meant either. I do realize that none of this really has much to do with this book but if you confuse yourself with indecipherable notes on a regular basis, you'll probably appreciate this chapter in particular.

Anyway, if you're neurodivergent and/or struggle with your mental health, definitely consider giving this book a read. Or if you simply enjoy hippo facts and anecdotes about people farting at queens, this might be the book for you for entirely different reasons.

4.4 stars, rounded down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Life for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is March 31, 2026.

[Ellen Gail]

Seeing a new Jenny Lawson book with a charming oddball lil mammal on the cover has to be a top tier human experience. This is what God created eyeballs for.

[Mendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking press for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have couple of automatic authors that I will read without knowing anything about the book. And Jenny Lawson is one of them. If she published her grocery list I would immediately buy it, because let’s be real, we all know her list would be epic.

To sum up this book I could hash tag every page #yepthisisme. Iykyk


I have the ebook version but I will be immediately purchasing the physical copy on publishing date to highlight and annotate every page.

If you don’t love Jenny Lawson we can’t be friends. Sorry not sorry.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me begin as I did last time by saying I'm an enormous fan of Jenny Lawson, so I was overjoyed to be able to read this ARC. If you have not read her before or are unfamiliar with her, you could start with this book or with any of her work. However, if you are a fan or follower or have read other things by her, this book will immediately make sense to you. As she says in the introduction, you do not have to read this book linearly. You can drop in wherever you need. Lawson wrote this book as a compilation of ways that her specific brain has gotten through when she is going through mental health struggles, which she is very open about. It could be a self help book; it could be a memoir, but that is the beauty of all of her books. She is so open with her life that you can take or leave whatever lessons are best for you, but also she is there to help us laugh as well. In addition to this book, she encourages people to share in the supportive online community she has built as well. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this ARC.

[Yaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever had an intrusive thought that felt way too weird to say out loud but also desperately needed to be validated, this book is basically your emotional support group (a group of two that is you and the author).

How to Be Okay When Nothing is Okay is funny, raw, wildly honest, and comforting in that very specific way where you laugh and think, “Oh, good, it’s not just me.” Jenny Lawson has a gift for turning anxiety, awkwardness, and life’s messier moments into stories that feel both hilarious and deeply human.

Reading her essays feels like chatting with your most unfiltered friend at 2 a.m., the one who overshares, makes you snort laugh, and somehow sneaks in surprising emotional depth when you least expect it. One minute I was laughing out loud, the next I was quietly nodding in recognition.

This became my perfect before bed read. A few chapters to unwind, laugh a little, and feel less alone in my own brain before calling it a night. Every essay has some small golden nugget of comfort or chaos that sticks with you.

Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates humor with heart and isn’t afraid to embrace the wonderfully weird parts of being human.

[Vonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh do I just love the sugar honey ice tea out of Jenny Lawson!! This was the badass self help book I didn’t even realize I was waiting for. I have been sitting on goals, overthinking them, doubting myself, and this book straight up told me to knock it off and go for it.

Jenny is hilarious and brutally honest and somehow makes you feel less alone while also calling you out. I laughed. I paused. I had a couple of “oh wow okay” moments where I knew she was talking directly to me.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC. I am absolutely buying the physical copy from her bookshop because this one deserves a permanent spot on my shelves. And yes, now I have a very valid reason to visit again.

[Angie Miale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was completely delightful. It is part self-help, some memoir, and some lovely doodles. I love her voice, her non-traditional writing style and her unique and ridiculously specific references. It is a story about how she has managed her anxiety, depression, and ADHD. She has true practical exercises that will help make the reader’s life better. I don’t remember laughing out loud this much at a book in a very long time. Jenny is just hilarious. This book comes with more of a maturity and accountability than from her previous books. She is taking a lot of great experience from therapy and sharing what has worked for her.

My son has severe ADHD and this book really helped me understand more what he goes through daily. I can’t wait to read it again!
4.5/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC. Book to be published March 30, 2026.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Jenny Lawson since sometime in the aughts, when I discovered her blog. I have read Let's Pretend This Never Happened and Furiously Happy and have a signed copy of the former. I kind of feel like she hardly needs my endorsement, but here it is anyway: if you are "mentally interesting," some flavor of neurospicy, are living with a chronic illness, or care about someone who fits any of those descriptions, this book is for you.

Jenny makes those of us whose brains turn on us feel so much less alone, and she does it while being hilarious. For those who want to support someone but don't really get it, she makes bridging the gap to what your friend/partner/taxidermist is going through more accessible as well.

This book is a quick-reference guide and a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency type resource (relative emergencies! Though she does provide resources for those in crisis--did you know there are text/chat support lines for those who have social anxiety and don't want to call a hotline because then you'd have to speak to a human? I didn't!).

There are helpful reminders as well as practical strategies and things to remember when you need them most but are least likely to be able to recall them, and I love that the book is structured so that you can read it straight through if you really want to or you can pick and choose from sections based on what you need in the moment.

Jenny Lawson is a treasure; she's working every day to destigmatize mental illness and being different, she's the reason I was willing to try TMS (Tranacranial Magnetic Stimulation), which has made a big difference for me at some really critical points, and the number of people whose lives she has impacted for the better--in some cases outright saved, according to notes quietly passed to her at book tours--is inspiring and/or intimidating (almost certainly both). This is very good, but you probably don't need me to tell you that.

[Jessica Pro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Viking Penguin and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
Jenny Lawson is one of only a few authors that is an automatic read for me. I actually had already pre-ordered this book but I was grateful to not have to wait! This newest book (How to be okay when nothing is ok) is essentially a mental health self-help guide but still includes all of Jenny's unique and weird humor. I loved reading her ideas and advice (sprinkled with personal stories) and seeing her cute doodles throughout the pages.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting. Encouraging. Inspiring! Lawson's latest book is filled with hilarious and heartfelt practical advice for creatives and those struggling with their mental health. Written in twelve parts with short chapters, the book can be read straight through or by skipping to whichever section speaks to the reader in the moment the most. Long time fans will find comfort in the author's frank dark humor, profanity and willingness to share some extremely personal, unhinged anecdotes. There are also illustrations and motivational quotes sprinkled throughout. So much more than just another self-help or writing advice guide, Lawson's words are sure to bring comfort and aid to those with anxiety, chronic illness, ADHD and depression at times when they might be struggling the most. Recommended for readers who love authors like Brene Brown and Samantha Irby. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Maven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, she’s done it again, written a humorous, honest, thoughtful, painful, foray into her life. Sharing so many pieces of one’s self with the world is brave and scary but the approachable tone makes you feel like you’ve known her forever. So many of my coworkers are waiting patiently for it to publish, but rose,rose, thorn, bud has already made it into our conversation. Thanks NetGalley for letting me read this early and being able to start getting people excited about it.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly my "cup of mashed potatoes." (Side note, autocorrect wrote 'madness potatoes' which is even better!)
The book is full of helpful suggestions and thoughts that sometimes I get to on my own but not always. Jenny has a way of writing that is very much the way I find myself thinking so it's kind of like having a chat with myself, or at least someone who really gets it.
I will also say that it was nice to have the sections in small portions so I could divvy up my potatoes into enjoyable bits instead of massive servings. When things are already overwhelming it's hard enough to focus and this format was just right.

My theme to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Ideezy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Jenny Lawson does it again (this time aimed directly at her reader)!

Lawson’s newest book is part memoir and part self-help book. While she shares, more than a couple of times, that she doesn’t feel qualified to offer advice, long-time readers of hers would beg to differ.

She approaches difficult topics with a style we’ve become accustomed to: ease, humor, vulnerability, and kindness.

Highly recommend grabbing this book if you’re in the trenches with her, if you want a peek behind the curtain, or if you just want a laugh served with rough topics.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published March 31, 2026.

This is the fourth book I’ve read by this author, AKA the Bloggess.I was first introduced to her back in 2012 from my book club. She is laugh out loud funny.

This book was slightly different from her previous books as it felt more like a self-help book, but still with swear words and random stories you’d expect from her. It did include tips to get you through the tough times as well as a lot of cheerleading.

I generally listen to her books since she self-narrates but this book had a lot of her drawings. Both are great options.

[Jessica Ashe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ | How to Be When Nothing Is Okay – Jenny Lawson

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The first half of this book really resonated with me. Jenny Lawson approaches difficult seasons of life with honesty, humor, and vulnerability, sharing pieces of her own experiences in a way that feels very authentic. Her voice is conversational and often comical, even when discussing heavy topics, which makes the book feel approachable and human.

Around the halfway point, the tone shifts a bit and becomes more geared toward authors, artists, and creatives. I think readers in those spaces will likely connect even more deeply with the second half, as many of the reflections and encouragements are directed toward the creative process and the unique struggles that can come with it.

At times the book can feel a little rambling, but there are many thoughtful insights and practical ideas sprinkled throughout. One of the things I appreciated most was how encouraging Jenny is toward the reader. She repeatedly reminds you that you’ve already survived your hardest days — and that alone is something worth recognizing.

Her message is simple but powerful: keep going, even when things feel impossible. Do the hard things. And remember that getting through another day is sometimes the bravest thing you can do.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can definitely be used as a self-help manual, and it DOES have some good tips on dealing with depression, anxiety, and ADHD. I read it because Jenny Lawson is one of the only authors who can consistently make me laugh, and this book was no exception. Lawson is hilarious and relatable and weird in the best way. Her books feel like a comforting friend when everything else in the world is topsy-turvy.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this one. Had me almost ugly crying at an airport at 4:30am as I finished it.

[Rachel Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny Lawson, also known in online communities as The Bloggess, is back with a series of short essays filled with her trademark humor, quirky personality, and practical advice. Lawson is known for her candor and authenticity documenting her own struggles with mental health and is an advocate for causes supporting the mental health and LGBTQ+ communities. In "How to Be Okay When Nothing is Okay," Lawson talks about her tools and tricks for perservering in the midst of struggles. Most essays are a mix of memoir and self-help advice ranging only 2-3 pages and filled with heart and humor. Fans of Lawson's previous work with enjoy this title.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Overall 4.25/5

[labibliofille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a blast with this one! I love Jenny Lawson and I really resonate with her writing. How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay is relatable, impactful, and actionable while remaining approachable. I already plan to, or have started, implementing some things Jenny included within the pages of this novel. I'm also fully intending to purchase a signed copy from her bookstore to add to my collection, plus an extra for a friend that I think could use this messaging. If you or someone you love are, or ever have been, in a tough spot, this could be a super helpful read for you. I know it was for me.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect! I already have preordered the hardcover! I typically do not like self help books but the short chapters and humor make it an easy, fun read.

There are lots of great tips for those struggling with mental illness. Even those without a mental illness could benefit from reading this book or even just read it for the humor. I laughed out loud reading it!

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc. Publication date is 3/31/26.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve been here any amount of time, I’m sure you’re shocked to see a nonfiction book, especially of the self help-ish variety
But, to be frank, the mentals are not healthing, and the title alone felt frightening relevant

I firmly believe no truly rational person can look at the things happening right now and be okay with them, but we still have to find a way to be okay if we’re going to have any hope of making it to the other side

And it’s not all about big state of the world things
Sometimes it’s that embarrassing thing that you did in a drive through that you think about at 3am weeks later
Stopping yourself from endlessly doom scrolling
Or how to deal with executive disfunction
A little bit of everything really

The book is chopped up into bite sized chapters of an anecdote each, with a … I don’t want to say lesson? Because that sounds like of preachy and condescending? But they’re also not-not lessons? Maybe they’re cool lessons?

It’s full of the humor I’d have expected from the author
Sometimes (read: often) completely off the wall, but in a super relatable way (to me anyhow…which probably says something…)

There’s also bits of her art in between sections, and a continuing message of how important creative endeavors are - An idea that I obviously connect with as I look around at my dozens of projects between knitting and this dollhouse remodel I’m doing

As this isn’t my usual genre I can’t really compare it against others for the rating, but as something I feel I needed right now? All the stars

Thank you to Viking Penguin for the arc!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jenny has a way of making everyone feel less alone in this take what you need, and leave what you don’t, novel.

This is a book you can refer back to at any time and find the help, and camaraderie, you need.

I’m thankful I live in the same world as Jenny Lawson.

[MommySnarksALot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Jenny Lawson. I’ve been a fan of her blog since the early days and have eagerly awaited each of her books. Her previous works were all 5 stars for me. This one was just didn’t do it, though. Maybe I went in with the wrong mindset, but I was expecting less of an outright self-help book and something more like her previous works. I looked forward to vignettes of her life with a bit of positive affirmations, but instead got lists of obvious ways to feel better about myself and very few of the cute anecdotes that are the hallmark of her writing.

[Keifer Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Lawson is an instant-buy author for me—I’ve loved all of her previous books. As someone who lives with panic disorder, her blend of humor, resilience, and practical advice speaks directly to me. This one especially felt like a survival guide. I wasn’t in the best place with my panic disorder while reading it, and I found the chapters incredibly approachable even on some of my lowest days.

Jenny’s humor and unmistakable voice make heavy topics feel lighter without ever minimizing them. Across all of her books, she’s helped me let go of shame around my mental illness and feel more comfortable talking—and even joking—about it with others. That kind of honesty is powerful.

I read this as an ARC, but I’m already planning to pick up a physical copy when it releases so I can highlight, doodle, and return to it whenever the brain goblins get a little too loud.

[Jessica Lewis ☔️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

jenny is a gift to the world. she can write with an endearing wit and know how to cut to the core and meet people where they are. whether that be in the doldrums or trenches of a crisisC mental breakdown or a kind soul walking alongside someone experiencing the same. she writes with empathy and compassion sprinkled with a bit of humor and raw experience. i love anything she writes and always find nuggets of truth and wisdom. i am so thankful to be on this planet and share time with jenny.

a great self help guide to anyone needing mental health advice given by someone who’s been there and who can deliver it with grace, kindness and experience. i have read each one of her books and will always reads them.

thank you netgalley for the ARC, i devoured it

[Helen Wu ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by Jenny Lawson, though I’ve seen her work around for years and always been curious. I really appreciated the short chapters, her sense of humor, and the gentle reminders sprinkled throughout. It’s not life-shattering advice—mostly common sense—but sometimes that’s exactly what we need. The book feels realistic, relatable, and quietly motivational in a way that meets you where you are. I finished it fairly quickly and think it’s one of those reads you could easily gift to family or friends as a kind and thoughtful reminder that it’s okay to not always be okay. Thank you to Netgalley and Viking Penguin for the advanced reader’s copy.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Jenny Lawson's writting. When I saw this pop up on netgalley I had to request it! While this book isn't a pure memior like her others, it still has her heart and humor wrapped up in it.

Having had an extremely rough year last year, reading this was like a small ray of sunshine on all the pain and sadness. It helps reading other people's tales and how you can relate to them. There is a lot of good advice and small tips and tricks on how to help your brain throughout this book and I can see it being one I get physically and just flipping through to random sections anytime I need a good reminder that it's okay to not be okay.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite kind of self help book - deeply honest, a little bit silly, and written by someone who occupies a very similar brain space to mine. A lot of the advice itself isn't really anything new to me but Jenny Lawson's writing style is always a delight to read. I appreciated that it was written equally to be read straight through (as I did) or picked up as needed.

Thanks to Viking Penguin and Netgalley for the ARC!

[Emma Rund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny Lawson is such a gift to this world. I will read everything she writes. Some things speak to me more than others, and this one was a bit more in the middle for me (Furiously Happy is my ride or die), but it still had a lot of really useful tips for those of us who aren’t so neurotypical. And of course it made me laugh out loud a time or two. This book isn’t for everyone but it could make the world of a difference for the people it’s for.

Read this if you have anxiety, depression, adhd, etc and are a self proclaimed weird girl (or person).

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for NetGalley and Viking Penguin for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love Jenny Lawson. I love her weirdness, her humor and her unapologetic honesty. So, it was no surprise that I would be more than happy to read her new book. Her latest book is a little different than past offerings but still amazing.

This book focuses more on how to manage some Mental Health issues, from the author's perspective. Is it a "one size fits all?" No, but are there tips for all of us from time to time? Yes! All delivered in Jenny's oddball sense of humor. We all need to feel like we are part of a tribe at times, and we all need a little help. This book is written in short but enjoyable chapters.

Make this book your friend. It is worth it.
4 Stas. Highly recommended!