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Falling Together: How to find balance, joy and meaningful change when your life seems to be falling apart
There are times in life that shake us to our very foundations. We wish for things to get better, fast. But the truth is that moments of “falling apart” are also our most powerful catalysts for growth and change. In Falling Together, Donna Cardillo, a registered nurse, Dr. Oz blogger, and beloved public speaker, reflects on the overwhelming challenges that fall into every life, and the renewal that comes when we are able to meet them with courage. A funny, big-hearted self-help memoir that takes on issues like divorce, caregiving, and burnout―and many women’s biggest enemies of all, fear, insecurity, and self-doubt―Falling Together shows how to turn the challenges that threaten to knock us to the ground into the building blocks we need to become more successful, more joyful, and ultimately, more alive.
216 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 23, 2026
Falling Together: How to Find Balance, Joy, and Meaningful Change When Your Life Seems to Be Falling Apart by Donna Wilk Cardillo is a deeply moving memoir that transforms life's most painful challenges into powerful lessons about resilience, hope, and personal renewal. With remarkable honesty and compassion, Donna Wilk Cardillo demonstrates that even when life appears to be unraveling, it is often quietly preparing us for meaningful transformation.
What makes this book especially compelling is the author's willingness to share her struggles without embellishment or self-pity. Through experiences including divorce, caregiving, burnout, serious illness, fear, and diminished self-confidence, Cardillo invites readers into moments of vulnerability that feel profoundly authentic. Her openness creates an immediate sense of trust and reminds readers that they are not alone in facing life's inevitable hardships.
Rather than portraying adversity as something to simply survive, Cardillo reframes it as an opportunity for growth, self-discovery, and renewal. The book's central message that we can choose to say "yes" to life even in the midst of uncertainty is both inspiring and deeply practical. It encourages readers to embrace change not because it is easy, but because it can ultimately lead to a richer, more meaningful life.
The writing is warm, conversational, and encouraging throughout. Cardillo possesses a rare ability to discuss difficult subjects with honesty while maintaining an underlying sense of optimism. She acknowledges pain without allowing it to overshadow the possibility of healing, making the book both emotionally honest and genuinely uplifting.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its relatability. Whether readers are navigating relationship changes, caregiver fatigue, health challenges, professional burnout, or periods of self-doubt, they will likely recognize aspects of their own journey within these pages. Cardillo offers reassurance that life's setbacks do not diminish our worth—they often reveal strengths we never realized we possessed.
The memoir also serves as a gentle guide toward greater balance and self-compassion. Rather than offering unrealistic promises or quick solutions, Cardillo encourages readers to take small, intentional steps toward healing while honoring both their struggles and their progress.
Ultimately, Falling Together reminds us that resilience is not about never falling apart it is about discovering that we have the capacity to rebuild ourselves with greater wisdom, strength, and purpose. Thoughtful, heartfelt, and deeply encouraging, this book will resonate with anyone experiencing life's unexpected detours or searching for hope in the midst of change.
It is an inspiring testament to the remarkable ability of the human spirit to heal, adapt, and find joy again even after life's most difficult seasons.
What makes this book especially compelling is the author's willingness to share her struggles without embellishment or self-pity. Through experiences including divorce, caregiving, burnout, serious illness, fear, and diminished self-confidence, Cardillo invites readers into moments of vulnerability that feel profoundly authentic. Her openness creates an immediate sense of trust and reminds readers that they are not alone in facing life's inevitable hardships.
Rather than portraying adversity as something to simply survive, Cardillo reframes it as an opportunity for growth, self-discovery, and renewal. The book's central message that we can choose to say "yes" to life even in the midst of uncertainty is both inspiring and deeply practical. It encourages readers to embrace change not because it is easy, but because it can ultimately lead to a richer, more meaningful life.
The writing is warm, conversational, and encouraging throughout. Cardillo possesses a rare ability to discuss difficult subjects with honesty while maintaining an underlying sense of optimism. She acknowledges pain without allowing it to overshadow the possibility of healing, making the book both emotionally honest and genuinely uplifting.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its relatability. Whether readers are navigating relationship changes, caregiver fatigue, health challenges, professional burnout, or periods of self-doubt, they will likely recognize aspects of their own journey within these pages. Cardillo offers reassurance that life's setbacks do not diminish our worth—they often reveal strengths we never realized we possessed.
The memoir also serves as a gentle guide toward greater balance and self-compassion. Rather than offering unrealistic promises or quick solutions, Cardillo encourages readers to take small, intentional steps toward healing while honoring both their struggles and their progress.
Ultimately, Falling Together reminds us that resilience is not about never falling apart it is about discovering that we have the capacity to rebuild ourselves with greater wisdom, strength, and purpose. Thoughtful, heartfelt, and deeply encouraging, this book will resonate with anyone experiencing life's unexpected detours or searching for hope in the midst of change.
It is an inspiring testament to the remarkable ability of the human spirit to heal, adapt, and find joy again even after life's most difficult seasons.
August 2, 2017
I really enjoyed this book and found it helpful, uplifting, authentic and charming.
I'd just finished reading "The Obstacle is the Way", which also deals with transforming challenges, when I stumbled upon the engaging and very heart-felt, "Falling Together". Unlike the former title, this book presented a deeply female perspective of transformation in action, something which was sorely lacking in the "Obstacle".
Yes, women do know a thing or two about challenges and transformations. So I'm grateful the author shared her experience.
I'd just finished reading "The Obstacle is the Way", which also deals with transforming challenges, when I stumbled upon the engaging and very heart-felt, "Falling Together". Unlike the former title, this book presented a deeply female perspective of transformation in action, something which was sorely lacking in the "Obstacle".
Yes, women do know a thing or two about challenges and transformations. So I'm grateful the author shared her experience.
June 16, 2026
Falling Together is an honest, uplifting, and deeply human memoir about navigating life's unexpected challenges with courage and resilience.
Donna Wilk Cardillo shares her experiences with vulnerability and wisdom, offering readers both comfort and practical inspiration during difficult times.
By exploring themes such as caregiving, burnout, illness, divorce, and personal renewal, the book demonstrates that periods of upheaval can become opportunities for growth, self discovery, and meaningful transformation.
Donna Wilk Cardillo shares her experiences with vulnerability and wisdom, offering readers both comfort and practical inspiration during difficult times.
By exploring themes such as caregiving, burnout, illness, divorce, and personal renewal, the book demonstrates that periods of upheaval can become opportunities for growth, self discovery, and meaningful transformation.
July 12, 2017
This book is an easy read, very well written and surprised me in how much I learned from it . I, myself am going through some tough times so it really helped me in many ways. I recommend it highly.
June 16, 2016
Part self-help, part memoir, this book is written by Cardillo, a nurse and business woman, whose life changed when her husband became ill with MS. The book shows how Donna remade her life and gives tips to readers on weathering changes and coming out ahead.
Most of the book was focused on Donna's story-her first marriage, her various career decisions, her meeting her second husband Joe and her life when he became ill. Each chapter ends with a list of things we can take from the chapter and incorporate into our own lives. Cardillo has a nice writing style and she had some interesting points, particularly about taking care of ourselves and trying new things. However, too much of he book was spent on every little detail of her life and at times there was too much of a patting oneself on the back feel.
It also seems that in many self help books, trying something new always succeeds, and it just isn't true to real life. In this book Donna wants to publish a book and after one rejection letter she receives multiple offers to publish, she wants to go to school but doesn't have money, multiple scholarships appear. In one scene she is terrified of public speaking to a group of doctors only to have doctor after doctor tell her how great she was. In real life, things don't always work out the way you want them to.
I do think she is doing a service by helping caregivers realize they need time form themselves too.
Most of the book was focused on Donna's story-her first marriage, her various career decisions, her meeting her second husband Joe and her life when he became ill. Each chapter ends with a list of things we can take from the chapter and incorporate into our own lives. Cardillo has a nice writing style and she had some interesting points, particularly about taking care of ourselves and trying new things. However, too much of he book was spent on every little detail of her life and at times there was too much of a patting oneself on the back feel.
It also seems that in many self help books, trying something new always succeeds, and it just isn't true to real life. In this book Donna wants to publish a book and after one rejection letter she receives multiple offers to publish, she wants to go to school but doesn't have money, multiple scholarships appear. In one scene she is terrified of public speaking to a group of doctors only to have doctor after doctor tell her how great she was. In real life, things don't always work out the way you want them to.
I do think she is doing a service by helping caregivers realize they need time form themselves too.
May 31, 2018
Inspiring Words
Donna Cardillo speaks from the heart and personal experience in this wonderful memoir while also weaving in her unique 'Yogi Bera-like humor'. For those, especially women and caregivers, who are feeling overwhelmed and/or lost, this book may be part of your roadmap to a better life.
Donna Cardillo speaks from the heart and personal experience in this wonderful memoir while also weaving in her unique 'Yogi Bera-like humor'. For those, especially women and caregivers, who are feeling overwhelmed and/or lost, this book may be part of your roadmap to a better life.
March 20, 2017
falling together How to Find Balance, Joy, and Meaningful Change When Your Life Seems to be Falling Apart written by Donna Wilk Cardillo, RN is truly an amazing book. These 200 pages are easy to read and her story is well organized. I truly appreciate Donna Wilk Cardillo's: honesty, encouragement, inspirational sayings (by many) at the beginning of each chapter, tips and ideals, as well as her Lessons Learned, Recommended Reading, and Resources she provided at the end of her chapters. Thank you Donna!
Peace and Best Wishes, Lisa Perfetti
Falling Together: How to find balance, joy and meaningful change when your life seems to be falling apart
Peace and Best Wishes, Lisa Perfetti
Falling Together: How to find balance, joy and meaningful change when your life seems to be falling apart
April 15, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed reading Falling Together by Donna Cardillo. Donna shares her life’s journey, which is truly inspiring and motivating. We all have our own struggles and fears to deal with, sometimes on a daily basis, and Donna masterly explains how she addressed those fears and struggles and became a much stronger and empowered individual. Particularly enjoyed the Lessons Learned and Resources at the end of each chapter and know I will be referring back to those sections. Thank you Donna for sharing your story and reminding us that life’s struggles truly make us a better, happier and a much stronger person.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews