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Let It Out: A Journey Through Journaling
“Katie is a powerful example for anyone ready to clear the blocks to the presence of their purpose and light. Apply the practices in this book to any area of your life that needs a shift . . . each time you surrender your inner wisdom to the page, you will experience a miracle.”— Gabrielle Bernstein, New York Times best-selling author of Miracles NowYou want change. Maybe your career isn’t what you thought it would be . . . or your relationships aren’t what you had hoped. Perhaps you have a grand vision for your life but not the smallest clue on how to get there. Wherever you feel stuck or confused, you wish you had someone to hold your hand and guide you.You do. And it’s only a blank page away.In Let It Out, millennial blogger and podcast host Katie Dalebout shares the transformative practice that will rocket your life to the next level—journaling. Discovering in her darkest hours that a journal is the greatest tool in finding your purpose, healing yourself, and creating the life you desire, Katie has assembled the practices and insights that will get you "unstuck" for good. And don’t worry—you don’t need to be a writer! Journaling is simply a method of coaching yourself through your "stuff" and letting it out on the page, unclogging your mind from years of destructive thoughts. In doing so, you step into a position of unsurpassed clarity.Packed with journaling exercises, prompts, and techniques that can be done anywhere and in any order, this guidebook offers you a new way to navigate your daily life, cope with stress, and create exciting, permanent change. Covering everything from clearing clutter to cultivating abundance to moving beyond fear, it will be your new best friend and coach anytime you seek clarity or crave solace. Simply grab a pen, open your journal, and prepare to let it out.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2016
207 people are currently reading
1076 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
July 8, 2021
Before I read this book: Why on EARTH would I listen to advice about journaling from a 22 yr. old?
After I read this book: Wow, she’s write, err… right.
Let It Out by Katie Dalebout focuses on journaling, and not your Dear Diary, pre-teen “I have a crush on this boy” journaling, but the journaling of life. Most importantly, your life. As a high school English teacher, there’s nothing more joyful, more heart-warming than the orchestral groans of thirty teenagers when I utter the words, “Let’s WRITE today!” When asking teens why they hate to write, the answers are usually 1: It takes too long. 2. I have nothing to say. 3. My hand hurts. While I can’t help the inevitable carpal tunnel that is the demon of English, I can alleviate the first two. Dalebout’s book delivers the same, on a unique, easy to follow, spiritual level. For adults, for teens, men, women, old young.
The beginning reads as a get-to-know-you of Katie (I feel I can call her Katie after this journaling journey. We’re on a friend level now, yo) and what drew her to writing. This is the portion where I wanted to draw a skeptical eye to discover why this young person with half my life’s experience is qualified to dish ME advice. There’s always something about reading how others flourish that angers the self-help reader. The fact is – the author has figured it out. You’re reading the book because you haven’t. Sit tight, hot mess. This young ‘un has something to say that might pique your brain taters.
What’s magical about this section was that I found myself nodding. I’ve experienced “aha” moments in life. I’ve faced adversity. Instead of critiquing her 1990 birthdate, I accepted that she was lucky to discover herself at an early age. Katie’s struggles include bullying and (poignantly) an eating disorder, as well as universal, been-there-done-that angst of the early 20’s “finding yourself” period after college and the stress of finding a job and feeling confident and secure in that position.
I would recommend this book to anyone going through a difficult time – one of change or adversity, or even upon something exciting like receiving a promotion. The psychology of adjustment exists for a reason, change is problematic. Through journaling, Katie illustrates ways to cope. I also recommend this to teachers of English looking for interesting prompts for classes in order to answer the “I have nothing to say” students. As I tell my students – you are the only you. I can’t write you. Write like you have something you want to tell the world about you. These prompts, with some small adaptation for some would work extremely well.
Perhaps my only constructive critique is that I thought some parts overflowed into the realm of flaky, such as suggesting that one can cure acne either holistically or through Western medicine by simply believing in a method. The likelihood is that by relaxing and letting go of anxiety, stress is decreased, and thus the body reduces acne-causing chemicals. The suggestion would be insulting to someone with a serious disease such as cancer, that by mere belief, a cure is imminent. Certainly the medical community would provide proof that mere belief isn’t always enough.
However, if the reader can overcome some metaphysical slant, the journaling itself can proof vastly therapeutic and the exercises are enjoyable, revealing, and often at times, revelation-provoking.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hay House for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
After I read this book: Wow, she’s write, err… right.
Let It Out by Katie Dalebout focuses on journaling, and not your Dear Diary, pre-teen “I have a crush on this boy” journaling, but the journaling of life. Most importantly, your life. As a high school English teacher, there’s nothing more joyful, more heart-warming than the orchestral groans of thirty teenagers when I utter the words, “Let’s WRITE today!” When asking teens why they hate to write, the answers are usually 1: It takes too long. 2. I have nothing to say. 3. My hand hurts. While I can’t help the inevitable carpal tunnel that is the demon of English, I can alleviate the first two. Dalebout’s book delivers the same, on a unique, easy to follow, spiritual level. For adults, for teens, men, women, old young.
The beginning reads as a get-to-know-you of Katie (I feel I can call her Katie after this journaling journey. We’re on a friend level now, yo) and what drew her to writing. This is the portion where I wanted to draw a skeptical eye to discover why this young person with half my life’s experience is qualified to dish ME advice. There’s always something about reading how others flourish that angers the self-help reader. The fact is – the author has figured it out. You’re reading the book because you haven’t. Sit tight, hot mess. This young ‘un has something to say that might pique your brain taters.
What’s magical about this section was that I found myself nodding. I’ve experienced “aha” moments in life. I’ve faced adversity. Instead of critiquing her 1990 birthdate, I accepted that she was lucky to discover herself at an early age. Katie’s struggles include bullying and (poignantly) an eating disorder, as well as universal, been-there-done-that angst of the early 20’s “finding yourself” period after college and the stress of finding a job and feeling confident and secure in that position.
I would recommend this book to anyone going through a difficult time – one of change or adversity, or even upon something exciting like receiving a promotion. The psychology of adjustment exists for a reason, change is problematic. Through journaling, Katie illustrates ways to cope. I also recommend this to teachers of English looking for interesting prompts for classes in order to answer the “I have nothing to say” students. As I tell my students – you are the only you. I can’t write you. Write like you have something you want to tell the world about you. These prompts, with some small adaptation for some would work extremely well.
Perhaps my only constructive critique is that I thought some parts overflowed into the realm of flaky, such as suggesting that one can cure acne either holistically or through Western medicine by simply believing in a method. The likelihood is that by relaxing and letting go of anxiety, stress is decreased, and thus the body reduces acne-causing chemicals. The suggestion would be insulting to someone with a serious disease such as cancer, that by mere belief, a cure is imminent. Certainly the medical community would provide proof that mere belief isn’t always enough.
However, if the reader can overcome some metaphysical slant, the journaling itself can proof vastly therapeutic and the exercises are enjoyable, revealing, and often at times, revelation-provoking.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hay House for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2016
This self-help book written by 22 year old blogger & yoga instructor, Katie Dalebout did not strike me as original or provide as much insight as I would have hoped. The first 20% of the book is about the author and how she won a contest with her book idea that she flippantly submitted after attending a conference made up of several of her favorite self-help authors. Then, it goes into tips about journaling to improve your life: organization, outlook, body image, finances. It emphasizes forgiveness, gratitude and creativity all of which I think are great. My problem with this book was that it was the perspective of a 22 year old and the advice seemed geared towards young women in their late teens or 20s. One tip I will likely use going forward is to awaken 10 minutes earlier in the morning to take time to visualize the day and perhaps set an intention. I feel like I do try to do this already, but it’s easily forgotten.
Thank you to netgalley and Hay House Publishing for an ARC of this book, it just wasn’t for me. Perhaps for a younger reader, looking for self-discovery and/or working through issues such as break-ups and body image issues, it might provide some helpful tools and insights.
Thank you to netgalley and Hay House Publishing for an ARC of this book, it just wasn’t for me. Perhaps for a younger reader, looking for self-discovery and/or working through issues such as break-ups and body image issues, it might provide some helpful tools and insights.
July 7, 2018
Yikes, okay. It's going to be difficult to unpack my exact opinion on this book, but here goes.
For starters, here's something I didn't realize going in: this book is written from an explicitly religious perspective, and is published by a company that specializes in books with this particular perspective. That religion is New Age (or "New Thought," as they appear to call it), and therefore this book is chock full of terms like "manifest," "the Universe" and other things that would normally have me chucking a book straight out a window, except most of the journaling exercises were pretty good (more on that in a moment).
The author would probably object to my characterization of this book as a religious book, but these types of folks always do. Here's the thing: you can't just write shit like "Manifestation is strongest within the first eight hours immediately following the new moon" and just, like, leave that there like that with no evidence. I mean, of course there's no evidence. Because it's bullshit. "The Secret" and "The Law of Attraction" are superstitious, hackneyed bullshit. If that's all it were, I wouldn't really care enough to write a review about it, but unfortunately this shit is actually harmful. For starters, it exploits people--mostly low-income people--without much hope or prospects into spending money on all of this woo-woo healing crystals magical energy tapping bullshit. Furthermore, it's straight-up victim-blaming. If you're poor, it's because you were too sad about being poor and didn't "manifest" a random $1,000 check into your life (it's always random checks/internet deposits with these people). If you're single and unhappy about that, it's because you haven't "called in" or "attracted" The One, because you were too sad.
So, fine, these are the author's religious beliefs. Plenty of people have religious beliefs, such as "Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected" or "the one true god is Allah" or whatever. But see, those books get shelved, appropriately, in the religion/spirituality section. Books like Let It Out, with their own underlying religious ideology that's just as toxic (if not more so) than traditional religions, somehow end up in "Self-Help," making unsubstantiated claims about "tapping," "manifesting" and "positive energy" that not only have no basis in fact, but can't even defend themselves as coming from an ancient text.
And unfortunately, that's not entirely irrelevant to the actual meat of the book, which is the journaling exercises. I noticed midway through that even the exercises that have you noticing and reflecting on negative/painful thoughts and feelings usually end on some sort of positive note, and any exercise that focuses on what's keeping you from doing something you want to do inevitably ends with finding a way to do it anyway. (No, for the last time, I'm not going to just quit my day job and start my own business and "manifest" the money and clients I'd need.)
And by the end of the book I realized why this is: because Dalebout literally believes that if you think too much about negative things, you "attract" those negative things into your life. So even if you create some space for feelings like sadness and fear, you still need to make sure to balance that out with the positivity you're trying to "attract." As a licensed therapist: bull-fucking-shit. You're allowed to feel your feelings. You're allowed to write a journal entry that's JUST sad or angry. You don't owe "the Universe" any kind of positive twist. "The Universe" isn't going to "manifest" a new medical crisis into your body just because you thought about your existing medical problems.
It would be easier if I could just give this book one star and have done with it, but the thing is, the majority of these journaling exercises are really good and are based (whether the author realizes it or not) in sound, evidence-based psychology. There are even some excellent practical prompts, such as a meal planning technique that helps those of us who prefer to practice intuitive eating as opposed to sticking to a rigid meal plan. So if you can get past the fact that the author is essentially (whether she'd see it that way or not) shoving her religion down your throat, I think you can genuinely get a lot out of this book.
By the way, here's an article about the history of "New Thought" and why it's so fucking toxic: http://theconversation.com/why-you-sh...
For starters, here's something I didn't realize going in: this book is written from an explicitly religious perspective, and is published by a company that specializes in books with this particular perspective. That religion is New Age (or "New Thought," as they appear to call it), and therefore this book is chock full of terms like "manifest," "the Universe" and other things that would normally have me chucking a book straight out a window, except most of the journaling exercises were pretty good (more on that in a moment).
The author would probably object to my characterization of this book as a religious book, but these types of folks always do. Here's the thing: you can't just write shit like "Manifestation is strongest within the first eight hours immediately following the new moon" and just, like, leave that there like that with no evidence. I mean, of course there's no evidence. Because it's bullshit. "The Secret" and "The Law of Attraction" are superstitious, hackneyed bullshit. If that's all it were, I wouldn't really care enough to write a review about it, but unfortunately this shit is actually harmful. For starters, it exploits people--mostly low-income people--without much hope or prospects into spending money on all of this woo-woo healing crystals magical energy tapping bullshit. Furthermore, it's straight-up victim-blaming. If you're poor, it's because you were too sad about being poor and didn't "manifest" a random $1,000 check into your life (it's always random checks/internet deposits with these people). If you're single and unhappy about that, it's because you haven't "called in" or "attracted" The One, because you were too sad.
So, fine, these are the author's religious beliefs. Plenty of people have religious beliefs, such as "Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected" or "the one true god is Allah" or whatever. But see, those books get shelved, appropriately, in the religion/spirituality section. Books like Let It Out, with their own underlying religious ideology that's just as toxic (if not more so) than traditional religions, somehow end up in "Self-Help," making unsubstantiated claims about "tapping," "manifesting" and "positive energy" that not only have no basis in fact, but can't even defend themselves as coming from an ancient text.
And unfortunately, that's not entirely irrelevant to the actual meat of the book, which is the journaling exercises. I noticed midway through that even the exercises that have you noticing and reflecting on negative/painful thoughts and feelings usually end on some sort of positive note, and any exercise that focuses on what's keeping you from doing something you want to do inevitably ends with finding a way to do it anyway. (No, for the last time, I'm not going to just quit my day job and start my own business and "manifest" the money and clients I'd need.)
And by the end of the book I realized why this is: because Dalebout literally believes that if you think too much about negative things, you "attract" those negative things into your life. So even if you create some space for feelings like sadness and fear, you still need to make sure to balance that out with the positivity you're trying to "attract." As a licensed therapist: bull-fucking-shit. You're allowed to feel your feelings. You're allowed to write a journal entry that's JUST sad or angry. You don't owe "the Universe" any kind of positive twist. "The Universe" isn't going to "manifest" a new medical crisis into your body just because you thought about your existing medical problems.
It would be easier if I could just give this book one star and have done with it, but the thing is, the majority of these journaling exercises are really good and are based (whether the author realizes it or not) in sound, evidence-based psychology. There are even some excellent practical prompts, such as a meal planning technique that helps those of us who prefer to practice intuitive eating as opposed to sticking to a rigid meal plan. So if you can get past the fact that the author is essentially (whether she'd see it that way or not) shoving her religion down your throat, I think you can genuinely get a lot out of this book.
By the way, here's an article about the history of "New Thought" and why it's so fucking toxic: http://theconversation.com/why-you-sh...
June 2, 2016
I'm glad I was able to read this book through NetGalley and give an unbiased review.
I enjoyed this book tremendously; it showed up in my life at exactly the right time. While this isn't a book that you just sit down and read, I did enjoy the anecdotes and pieces of Dalebout's life that she shared with the reader. This is one that I would love to have on my shelves to come back to later to remember a specific writing prompt or to even use it as inspiration in my classroom. While it is geared mostly toward 20 and 30 something women, I think anyone could benefit from her writing ideas.
I enjoyed this book tremendously; it showed up in my life at exactly the right time. While this isn't a book that you just sit down and read, I did enjoy the anecdotes and pieces of Dalebout's life that she shared with the reader. This is one that I would love to have on my shelves to come back to later to remember a specific writing prompt or to even use it as inspiration in my classroom. While it is geared mostly toward 20 and 30 something women, I think anyone could benefit from her writing ideas.
June 7, 2016
"When I was a teenager, I got bullied on Facebook" - a sentence like that just makes you wait for the trainwreck to come...
- try writing down your dreams
- try writing on real paper for once
This may have worked if given a title like "An Introduction to Journaling for School Girls", but trying to sell a 22 year old as a new self-help guru to an adult audience was a really bad idea.
- try writing down your dreams
- try writing on real paper for once
This may have worked if given a title like "An Introduction to Journaling for School Girls", but trying to sell a 22 year old as a new self-help guru to an adult audience was a really bad idea.
June 12, 2016
1.5 start, really. I almost feel bad giving this book such negative review; it feels a little bit like kicking a puppy. The author seems genuinely sweet, but that is also somewhat the problem, at least for me. This book is like a cardboard cake covered with frosting, counting on the saccharine flavor of the topic to cover a lack of substance. Perhaps the problem is that I was looking for a more substantial and practical introduction to journaling, while this one is rooted in new-agey notions – "manifesting" money out of nowhere, for example. I am all for positive thinking, gratitude, and meditation, but, man, did I have to roll my eyes during the introduction. The style is also very simple, overly conversational, and includes words like "super-groovy." Just no.
This might work better for a much younger reader (pre-teen?). I will go on looking for a different journaling guide.
This might work better for a much younger reader (pre-teen?). I will go on looking for a different journaling guide.
July 23, 2016
I really liked it, very outcome focused journaling exercises and a lot of them. (I think 70+ if I remember correctly?!) Perfect for a beginner who is overwhelmed by the blank page but also great for people who want to work on for example overcoming procrastination, negative thoughts, trauma or all kinds of things that keep the head spinning and influence our lives in negative ways.
The exercises are categorized and this way easy to find again later. It's definitely a work book, you have to work through those exercises, not just read through it once and be done with it. I will come back to it and try out different things in the future.
Also, I incorporate it into my Bullet Journaling which works really well. I make up my own symbols for prompts I use often.
The exercises are categorized and this way easy to find again later. It's definitely a work book, you have to work through those exercises, not just read through it once and be done with it. I will come back to it and try out different things in the future.
Also, I incorporate it into my Bullet Journaling which works really well. I make up my own symbols for prompts I use often.
May 4, 2016
ok, honestly, I didn't "finish" this book...it's not really a book you sit down and read cover-to-cover. I skip around through it, picking and choosing exercises to use while journaling. I like the exercises and prompts a lot, but the author's perpetual perkiness sometimes grates on my nerves.
May 14, 2018
Let it Out is not a book of journal prompts, but a book full of ideas and techniques to may help a person get more in touch with their feelings, thoughts, hopes and desires.
Let’s be honest, I didn’t read this book cover to cover. It is the type of book that I like to flip through, skim and really read the parts that drawn me in. That being said, I really enjoyed this book on journaling. I highlighted the crap out of it and jotted down many notes in my own journal. Katie has some a really great take on keeping a journal. While I do not think that all of her ideas or prompts will fit into my life or the way, I prefer to keep my journal, there is still quite a lot I took away from this book and have and will add to my journaling arsenal. There is a little bit here for everyone! I recommend this book for those who want to start journaling as well as those who have been journaling for years.
I received my copy off Let it Out through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Let’s be honest, I didn’t read this book cover to cover. It is the type of book that I like to flip through, skim and really read the parts that drawn me in. That being said, I really enjoyed this book on journaling. I highlighted the crap out of it and jotted down many notes in my own journal. Katie has some a really great take on keeping a journal. While I do not think that all of her ideas or prompts will fit into my life or the way, I prefer to keep my journal, there is still quite a lot I took away from this book and have and will add to my journaling arsenal. There is a little bit here for everyone! I recommend this book for those who want to start journaling as well as those who have been journaling for years.
I received my copy off Let it Out through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2016
A book all about journaling exercises? Yes, please! I have long been a journaling enthusiast. I have even previously written about some of the journaling exercises I use on a regular basis. So when I heard about Katie Dalebout’s new book, Let It Out, I knew I had to check it out.
The book contains 55 different journaling exercises that you can use in various life circumstances. The tools span everything from increasing focus to overcoming key limiting beliefs that are holding you back from accomplishing what you want to in life.
Read full review at http://haveanamasteblog.com/2016/05/b...
The book contains 55 different journaling exercises that you can use in various life circumstances. The tools span everything from increasing focus to overcoming key limiting beliefs that are holding you back from accomplishing what you want to in life.
Read full review at http://haveanamasteblog.com/2016/05/b...
March 7, 2017
THE self-help book I would recommend. It is short, to-the-point and prompts to action (because let's be honest, just reading a book won't make a big difference in your life if you do not apply anything in real life). I keep coming back to it. Katie is a real inspiration and has the genuine intention for the reader to get the most out of their lives.
December 27, 2020
Two stars, but only because the writer is essentially a nice person with good intentions. This book is VERY woo-woo. Lots of talk about The Universe and “YOU GOT THIS!” and the book finishes with the word, Namaste. It was like a parody of itself, with so many cliches! I do not recommend. YOU GOT THIS! Namaste.
May 1, 2025
I found a couple fun new journaling prompts here, but not as much as I expected. This is much more of a self-help book that covers a variety of topics from intuitive eating to organization. As other reviewers have mentioned, it’s heavy with New Age content like praying to the universe.
February 22, 2020
3.5 stars. Very early on, it is obvious that the author is super young and is speaking from a place of massive privilege (albeit not intentionally). She is fortunate to have had access to a lot of resources, tools, and coaching/mentoring in order to come out of her personal struggles, especially given her age. Not to discount her own healing journey and good intentions, but I found her story to be highly unrelatable, which brought good faith challenges to reading this book and taking it seriously. That said, the journaling tools (prompts and exercises) are fully developed and the sections are well organized, which makes it easy to use from a functional standpoint.
Overall, a considerably decent add-on tool for self-discovery work, but maybe not a "first-pick" option unless you are in your early 20s.
Overall, a considerably decent add-on tool for self-discovery work, but maybe not a "first-pick" option unless you are in your early 20s.
November 24, 2020
Yikes. I was all set to love this book and it is just so full of garbage that I simply couldn't get through. There's a hell of a "perky, privileged white girl has just! the most! awesomest! things happen to her...all because she manifested them" intro to slog through before you even begin getting to more useful topics.
I wish this book had had a huge disclaimer on the cover, but it doesn't, so I'll provide it for you:
If you think "The Secret" and all of that crap is a bunch of crap, literally don't even bother with this nonsense.
It is very, very obvious that it was written by a 22-year old who doesn't know much about anything.
I wish this book had had a huge disclaimer on the cover, but it doesn't, so I'll provide it for you:
If you think "The Secret" and all of that crap is a bunch of crap, literally don't even bother with this nonsense.
It is very, very obvious that it was written by a 22-year old who doesn't know much about anything.
May 29, 2016
OK, I didn't read the whole book. Just skipped to whichever exercise grapped my attention. I'm not new to journaling, and I found exercises that helped me deepen my thoughts through writing. This might not be a book if your new to journaling, it's not a "getting started with journaling" kind of book, which I expected it to be. If you want to deepen or refresh your journaling time, this is definitely a book for you! I'll keep using some of the exercises.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hay House for providing a copy.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hay House for providing a copy.
August 28, 2016
I enjoyed Katie's uplifting and amiable voice--we also share a similar sense of humour, so I also enjoyed the chuckles as I flipped through the pages. Personally, I already have an active and pretty established journaling practice, but this book has given me many creative ideas. The author and I also share similar worldviews and the books she introduces throughout are either books I have read and enjoyed or books I am looking to read and enjoy.
All in all, it's a great read and I will definitely revisit from time to time for journaling ideas and fun + transformative exercises.
All in all, it's a great read and I will definitely revisit from time to time for journaling ideas and fun + transformative exercises.
March 17, 2021
The real reason you haven’t achieved your vision for the life you desire? Deep down, you might not believe that you deserve it . . . or that it’s even possible for you.
And here I thought it was the disabling incurable illness that has left me bedridden and reliant on others' help. No, it's my wrong thoughts. Silly me.
Seriously, if you hate yourself or have an eating disorder you need to find a way to ask for help, not read a self-help book about journaling. There's no easy solution for life's most difficult problems.
March 8, 2016
In LET IT OUT the author has written helpful book that provides insights and powerful usable exercises to to better understand yourself and your fears and desires. The author also includes exercises to work with when trying to make a decision or commitment or when you are just plain "stuck". The author has an easy to read, reliable style which is both empowering and encouraging.
Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
March 31, 2016
An easy, practical guide to starting journalling. The introduction was very helpful with setting the reader up for success when beginning a journal. I enjoyed the tips and techniques provided and am looking forward to rereading this guidebook and trying out the different techniques for letting out thoughts, emotions, and clearing my head. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!
June 29, 2018
Couldn't finish it. It's like reading a very chummy college essay.
It just feels like she has 50 pages solid of, I must admit, useful journalling/life advice. BUT 238 extra pages of filler - where to buy a nice journal, how to write things down, how to ask the universe for what you want. Hey, she asked the universe to win a contest in order to publish her first book, so I guess I can't knock it...
1.5 stars
It just feels like she has 50 pages solid of, I must admit, useful journalling/life advice. BUT 238 extra pages of filler - where to buy a nice journal, how to write things down, how to ask the universe for what you want. Hey, she asked the universe to win a contest in order to publish her first book, so I guess I can't knock it...
1.5 stars
August 4, 2016
Loved this book and the sweet heart of the writer. I love journaling and how found it so helpful for therapeutic uses. This book gives wonderful prompts and ideas on how to work stuff out through the art of journaling.
April 21, 2016
I'm a social worker and I'd hoped that I'd find something to bring into my work with clients, if not for myself. I learned nothing. This might be better for a teenage audience
September 11, 2016
Nothing new hear for those of us who have read quite a few self help books. A good compilation of all of the journaling exercises from other books incorporated into "Let it Out".
April 15, 2021
I was in a journaling rut, looking for fresh ideas to get more excited about my journals again. I heard Katie Dalebout talk in a podcast about embracing the art of journaling and she mentioned some pretty thought-provoking ideas (*). So I bought her book to dive deeper into the topic.
Sadly, Let It Out didn't really provide me with more insight.
In the first part of the book the author writes about her own issues and how journaling helped her deal with them. I appreciated her honesty, and she did sound inspiring, but for me personally much of her story wasn't really relatable.
In the second part she explains her journaling exercises. Each "tool" has a fancy name, clear instructions and journaling prompts, and some encouragement from Katie. Very few of these made me actually want to pick up my journal and "let it out". What really bugged me was her constant references to law-of-attraction principles and how you could (and should!) manifest this or that. While I do believe that mindset matters, her Abraham Hicks school of how you should go about your thoughts was definitely too much for me. Also, after a while the tools got somewhat repetitive.
That said, I think there is a lot of value in Let it Out, I just feel I might not be the intended audience for it.
* One of them was to stop dating your entries because that's like writing for your future self and not doing that gives your more freedom. If you know that nobody is coming back to read your entries, you put less pressure on yourself. She also said she regularly got rid of her journals once a notebook was filled, and that she wrote on yellow legal pads instead of pretty journals as she didn't believe in re-reading her entries. She said she could be more honest and unfiltered if the journal was nothing extraordinary and if she could dispose of it in the end.
https://ultimatehealthpodcast.com/kat...
Sadly, Let It Out didn't really provide me with more insight.
In the first part of the book the author writes about her own issues and how journaling helped her deal with them. I appreciated her honesty, and she did sound inspiring, but for me personally much of her story wasn't really relatable.
In the second part she explains her journaling exercises. Each "tool" has a fancy name, clear instructions and journaling prompts, and some encouragement from Katie. Very few of these made me actually want to pick up my journal and "let it out". What really bugged me was her constant references to law-of-attraction principles and how you could (and should!) manifest this or that. While I do believe that mindset matters, her Abraham Hicks school of how you should go about your thoughts was definitely too much for me. Also, after a while the tools got somewhat repetitive.
That said, I think there is a lot of value in Let it Out, I just feel I might not be the intended audience for it.
* One of them was to stop dating your entries because that's like writing for your future self and not doing that gives your more freedom. If you know that nobody is coming back to read your entries, you put less pressure on yourself. She also said she regularly got rid of her journals once a notebook was filled, and that she wrote on yellow legal pads instead of pretty journals as she didn't believe in re-reading her entries. She said she could be more honest and unfiltered if the journal was nothing extraordinary and if she could dispose of it in the end.
https://ultimatehealthpodcast.com/kat...
December 12, 2017
A resource for a series of Spiritual Journaling workshops I am creating for my church's Women's Conference - From the publisher: You want change. Maybe your career isn’t what you thought it would be . . . or your relationships aren’t what you had hoped. Perhaps you have a grand vision for your life but not the smallest clue on the steps to get there. Whether you’ve read the entire self-help section of the bookstore in vain or feel completely stuck on where to begin, you wish you had someone to hold your hand and guide you. You do. And it’s only a blank page away. In Let It Out, millennial blogger, speaker, and podcast host Katie Dalebout shares the transformative practice that will rocket your life to the next level—journaling. Discovering in her darkest hours that a journal is the greatest tool in finding your purpose, healing yourself, and creating the life you most desire, Katie has assembled the remarkable tools and insights that will elevate your life and get you “unstuck”—for good. And don’t worry—you don’t need to be a writer! Journaling is simply a method of coaching yourself through your “stuff” and letting it out on the page, unclogging your mind from years of destructive thoughts. In doing so, you step into a position of unsurpassed clarity.
Packed with journaling exercises, prompts, and techniques that can be done anywhere and in any order, this interactive guidebook offers you a new way to navigate your daily life, cope with stress, and create exciting, permanent change. Divided into seven sections covering everything from clearing clutter to finding presence to cultivating abundance to moving beyond fear, this book will be your new best friend and coach anytime you seek clarity or crave solace.
Packed with journaling exercises, prompts, and techniques that can be done anywhere and in any order, this interactive guidebook offers you a new way to navigate your daily life, cope with stress, and create exciting, permanent change. Divided into seven sections covering everything from clearing clutter to finding presence to cultivating abundance to moving beyond fear, this book will be your new best friend and coach anytime you seek clarity or crave solace.
January 8, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through this, and taking what I needed from the abundant writing tools. If you enjoy journaling, this is full of useful, practical and thought-provoking exercises.
I particularly found the writer's vulnerability and rawness added a genuine tone to her work. She is definitely sharing the tools which she employs on a regular basis. Dalebout states that she doesn't know how she feels unless she is writing, this resonated with me.
I can see that many other reviewers have reacted quite strongly about the author's age at the time of publication. Age doesn't disqualify anyone from teaching what they know from personal experience. Youth doesn't immunise anyone from life challenges nor impedes one from doing their inner work. I don't follow a religion, and took no offence at her personal beliefs. I'm actually glad that she just turned up as she is, otherwise this would have made her work a little homogenised.
Some people made comments about a few of the exercises being "woo-woo". Those exercises are known as scripting. It is a known powerful, even popular tool in today's time.
Another good read for skeptics is "Why Woo-Woo Works" by Dr. Robert Hamilton PhD, who is a trained organic chemist. His works reference scientific studies which show how seemingly "Woo-Woo" methods actually work.
A wonderful resource.
I particularly found the writer's vulnerability and rawness added a genuine tone to her work. She is definitely sharing the tools which she employs on a regular basis. Dalebout states that she doesn't know how she feels unless she is writing, this resonated with me.
I can see that many other reviewers have reacted quite strongly about the author's age at the time of publication. Age doesn't disqualify anyone from teaching what they know from personal experience. Youth doesn't immunise anyone from life challenges nor impedes one from doing their inner work. I don't follow a religion, and took no offence at her personal beliefs. I'm actually glad that she just turned up as she is, otherwise this would have made her work a little homogenised.
Some people made comments about a few of the exercises being "woo-woo". Those exercises are known as scripting. It is a known powerful, even popular tool in today's time.
Another good read for skeptics is "Why Woo-Woo Works" by Dr. Robert Hamilton PhD, who is a trained organic chemist. His works reference scientific studies which show how seemingly "Woo-Woo" methods actually work.
A wonderful resource.
May 10, 2025
Let It Out: A Journey Through Journaling by Katie Dalebout is a refreshing and compassionate guide to emotional wellness through the practice of journaling. In a world filled with stress, comparison, and constant noise, Dalebout offers journaling as a simple yet powerful tool for self-discovery, healing, and personal growth.
The book is not just about putting pen to paper—it’s about getting to know yourself deeply. Dalebout shares over 55 guided journaling prompts that help readers explore everything from body image and creativity to fear, purpose, and relationships. She writes with honesty and warmth, making the process feel inviting even for those who have never kept a journal before.
What stands out in Let It Out is its gentle, nonjudgmental tone. Dalebout encourages readers to be kind to themselves and to use journaling as a safe space to process emotions, reduce anxiety, and build inner clarity. The prompts are thoughtfully crafted and often accompanied by personal anecdotes, making the journey feel relatable and encouraging.
While it’s not a deep psychological manual, the book is a valuable toolkit for anyone looking to enhance their mental and emotional well-being. Whether you’re going through a tough time, seeking clarity, or simply looking to slow down and reconnect with yourself, Let It Out provides a nurturing space to do just that.
The book is not just about putting pen to paper—it’s about getting to know yourself deeply. Dalebout shares over 55 guided journaling prompts that help readers explore everything from body image and creativity to fear, purpose, and relationships. She writes with honesty and warmth, making the process feel inviting even for those who have never kept a journal before.
What stands out in Let It Out is its gentle, nonjudgmental tone. Dalebout encourages readers to be kind to themselves and to use journaling as a safe space to process emotions, reduce anxiety, and build inner clarity. The prompts are thoughtfully crafted and often accompanied by personal anecdotes, making the journey feel relatable and encouraging.
While it’s not a deep psychological manual, the book is a valuable toolkit for anyone looking to enhance their mental and emotional well-being. Whether you’re going through a tough time, seeking clarity, or simply looking to slow down and reconnect with yourself, Let It Out provides a nurturing space to do just that.
January 7, 2018
Not really a book you finish in one go as there’s little narrative and it’s a collection of writing prompts. I found lots of good ideas but the instructions were often a little lacking where examples might have been better. Great one to take notes on what I found frustrating so I can improve my own writing.
What I liked:
The insight into who the author is during the introduction. She’s got that enthusiasm and excitement that lets you believe anything is possible. Or as other reviewers put it: she’s 22.
The excellent index and organisation.
What I didn’t like:
this book presumes unquestioning belief and enthusiasm in lots of concepts currently on the self help stage. The author is credible in her love for all she shares, but the reader may not be the same.
It is simplistic. Self-care is “get a massage”. Meditation is easy, we can even “chant a mantra in the car”. This light touch makes for a fluff book, a sort of self help one stop shop that doesn’t go deep on anything.
I was not sent any advance copy by anyone. I saw this book in the library and picked it up as a bit of fun.
What I liked:
The insight into who the author is during the introduction. She’s got that enthusiasm and excitement that lets you believe anything is possible. Or as other reviewers put it: she’s 22.
The excellent index and organisation.
What I didn’t like:
this book presumes unquestioning belief and enthusiasm in lots of concepts currently on the self help stage. The author is credible in her love for all she shares, but the reader may not be the same.
It is simplistic. Self-care is “get a massage”. Meditation is easy, we can even “chant a mantra in the car”. This light touch makes for a fluff book, a sort of self help one stop shop that doesn’t go deep on anything.
I was not sent any advance copy by anyone. I saw this book in the library and picked it up as a bit of fun.
August 30, 2021
Some good ideas for journal prompts in here, but the best tool in this toolbox for me was Tool no. 55. Create your own tool based on what suits your life. The author is a millenial with experiences to match, so while suggestions about jounaling for gratitude, manifestation, fears, emotions are all relevant and transferable topics to almost anybodies life, making it your own was the best way to conclude the book. This is a book that you can pick up at any time and find a journaling jumpstart rather than one I would read in a couple of sittings - and for that reason, although I have only rated it 3 stars, it is one I would consider buying, as at this point I had only loaned it from the library.
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