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Calm: Working Through Life’s Daily Stresses to Find a Peaceful Centre
THE FOLLOW UP TO THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, FINDING JOY IN EVERY DAY AND LETTING GO OF PERFECT
'Calm for me is less about thought and much more about feeling. It is a stillness that allows my lungs to expand like hot air balloons. It is an acceptance of the noise around me. It is a magic alchemy that might last a second or a whole day, where I feel relaxed yet aware; still yet dynamic; open yet protected . . . '
***
In today's always-on world, for many of us it seems impossible to relax, take time out or mute the encircling 'noise'. It is easy to feel trapped in this frenzied state of we are surrounded by negative stories in the press, weighed down by pressures from work, family life or school and subject to constant scrutiny under the all-seeing eye of social media. As a result, mental health illnesses are on the rise in every age group, and more of us than ever before yearn for silence, peace and calm.
CALM is Fearne's mission to find the simple things that can inch us away from stress and over to the good stuff. Including expert advice, conversations with wise friends from all walks of life, easy ideas to try, activities to complete - and the little things that have made a difference to her own, sometimes-bumpy life - this book is a friendly reminder that Calm is a place that exists in us all, we just have to find our way back to it.
'Calm for me is less about thought and much more about feeling. It is a stillness that allows my lungs to expand like hot air balloons. It is an acceptance of the noise around me. It is a magic alchemy that might last a second or a whole day, where I feel relaxed yet aware; still yet dynamic; open yet protected . . . '
***
In today's always-on world, for many of us it seems impossible to relax, take time out or mute the encircling 'noise'. It is easy to feel trapped in this frenzied state of we are surrounded by negative stories in the press, weighed down by pressures from work, family life or school and subject to constant scrutiny under the all-seeing eye of social media. As a result, mental health illnesses are on the rise in every age group, and more of us than ever before yearn for silence, peace and calm.
CALM is Fearne's mission to find the simple things that can inch us away from stress and over to the good stuff. Including expert advice, conversations with wise friends from all walks of life, easy ideas to try, activities to complete - and the little things that have made a difference to her own, sometimes-bumpy life - this book is a friendly reminder that Calm is a place that exists in us all, we just have to find our way back to it.
288 pages, ebook
Published December 28, 2017
267 people are currently reading
2239 people want to read
About the author
Fearne Cotton
65 books370 followersFearne has been presenting live TV since the age of 15 when she was spotted by ITV’s ‘Disney Club’.
Her warmth, natural interview skills and ability to make presenting live TV seem effortless and has given her the opportunity to present a variety of shows over the years.
Fearne is currently back in her role as team captain on the 16th series of Celebrity Juice, a show that continues to be a ratings winner for ITV2. Other shows include Children in Need Rocks, The Happiness Project, Fearne & Gok: Off The Rails, The BBC Music Awards, Top of the Pops with Reggie Yates, ‘Fearne and McBusted’ and a Coldplay special for Sky Arts amongst many others.
In addition to TV Fearne is hugely credible in the music genre. In 2005 she joined Radio 1 where she spent 10 incredible years, initially co-hosting morning shows with Reggie Yates and then moving onto the UK Top 40 show before taking over the prestigious weekday morning slot in 2009; here she mixed big celebrity interviews with exclusive acoustic performances in the Live Lounge. The show attracted over 4 million listeners and in 2012 she won a Sony Gold Award for the show.
Alongside TV & Radio Fearne is incredibly creative and has designed several seasons of a home wear range for very.co.uk, curated 13 seasons of her own very.co.uk clothing range and previously released her own make-up and toiletry ranges for Boots. Fearne currently enjoys working alongside Cath Kidston and Garnier Olia and is also a brand ambassador for BaByliss, where she creates a series of ‘Get the Look’ videos and tutorials, recreating her go-to styles using BaByliss tools.
In social media, Fearne has over 7 million Twitter followers and a combined Facebook and Instagram following of over 2.2 million with live, innovative content around her programming and off-air projects, ranking her amongst the world’s top 250 most influential Tweeters.
An enthusiastic cook, Fearne released her first cookbook in June 2016: Cook Happy, Cook Health. Her next book, Happy, talks about her own experiences of happiness (including some of the not-so-happy ones), and was published February 2017. Fearne's third book, Cook. Eat. Love, was published in June 2017.
Work aside, Fearne is a mother of 2 and continues to find time to support a range of charities with seemingly no challenge too big for her, whether it be climbing Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief, or trekking the Inca Trail for Breast Cancer Care. Fearne is an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust and also a patron for Post Pals, Tyler’s Trust and Coppafeel!, the latter of which she curates the charity’s music festival, FESTIFEEL.
Her warmth, natural interview skills and ability to make presenting live TV seem effortless and has given her the opportunity to present a variety of shows over the years.
Fearne is currently back in her role as team captain on the 16th series of Celebrity Juice, a show that continues to be a ratings winner for ITV2. Other shows include Children in Need Rocks, The Happiness Project, Fearne & Gok: Off The Rails, The BBC Music Awards, Top of the Pops with Reggie Yates, ‘Fearne and McBusted’ and a Coldplay special for Sky Arts amongst many others.
In addition to TV Fearne is hugely credible in the music genre. In 2005 she joined Radio 1 where she spent 10 incredible years, initially co-hosting morning shows with Reggie Yates and then moving onto the UK Top 40 show before taking over the prestigious weekday morning slot in 2009; here she mixed big celebrity interviews with exclusive acoustic performances in the Live Lounge. The show attracted over 4 million listeners and in 2012 she won a Sony Gold Award for the show.
Alongside TV & Radio Fearne is incredibly creative and has designed several seasons of a home wear range for very.co.uk, curated 13 seasons of her own very.co.uk clothing range and previously released her own make-up and toiletry ranges for Boots. Fearne currently enjoys working alongside Cath Kidston and Garnier Olia and is also a brand ambassador for BaByliss, where she creates a series of ‘Get the Look’ videos and tutorials, recreating her go-to styles using BaByliss tools.
In social media, Fearne has over 7 million Twitter followers and a combined Facebook and Instagram following of over 2.2 million with live, innovative content around her programming and off-air projects, ranking her amongst the world’s top 250 most influential Tweeters.
An enthusiastic cook, Fearne released her first cookbook in June 2016: Cook Happy, Cook Health. Her next book, Happy, talks about her own experiences of happiness (including some of the not-so-happy ones), and was published February 2017. Fearne's third book, Cook. Eat. Love, was published in June 2017.
Work aside, Fearne is a mother of 2 and continues to find time to support a range of charities with seemingly no challenge too big for her, whether it be climbing Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief, or trekking the Inca Trail for Breast Cancer Care. Fearne is an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust and also a patron for Post Pals, Tyler’s Trust and Coppafeel!, the latter of which she curates the charity’s music festival, FESTIFEEL.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
November 29, 2018
I really struggled to get into this book. I love Fearne herself but I found this very self indulgent and quite simplistic in its advice. I think there are far better self help books out there covering similar ground in a much more thought provoking and relevant way.
February 14, 2018
Very similar to 'Happy' and repetitive in itself. The book had some interesting thoughts and advice, although I was distracted by the many typos. Worth dipping into for moments of calm.
May 16, 2019
I’m sure lots of people will love this book and find it helpful but it just really wasn’t for me. I found it slightly too cliched and twee and very much just following a similar vein of books out at the moment addressing lifestyles, how to live, mood and mental health. While they all have their merits they’re all a little bit too much the same and so I found myself zoning out of this book quite a lot and it all seemed to be things that is said a lot. Just really not my type of thing.
July 2, 2020
I didn't really connect with this book, skimmed it and gave up.
May 8, 2019
I'm a big fan of Fearne so I was always going to enjoy elements of this book. I didn't devour it as quickly or as intensely as I did "Happy", but it was a pleasant and uplifting read. I'm in two minds as to whether or not to read "Quiet" as I'm unsure how it can differ much from the first two books.
September 3, 2018
As always laughable. She is so far out of touch with people with real lives and real issues. TBH after reading her last one I just checked this from my local library for the LOL factor
November 5, 2020
3.5 stars.
There is some similarities from her book HAPPY. Took some very useful tips from CALM though. This is definitely worth a read if you do feel thay life sometimes can be too much for you.
There is some similarities from her book HAPPY. Took some very useful tips from CALM though. This is definitely worth a read if you do feel thay life sometimes can be too much for you.
July 31, 2018
I enjoyed this book more than “happy” as I find the idea of being calm more relatable and sustainable in everyday life.
I still found parts a little repetitive and some of it didn’t apply to me but over all I took some good advice from this book.
It’s even just comforting to read someone else’s experiences with and without calmness in their life. Fearne talks about her mental health in a very honest way and opens up about the chaotic times in her life - which most of us probably experience to!
I still found parts a little repetitive and some of it didn’t apply to me but over all I took some good advice from this book.
It’s even just comforting to read someone else’s experiences with and without calmness in their life. Fearne talks about her mental health in a very honest way and opens up about the chaotic times in her life - which most of us probably experience to!
January 18, 2020
I don't know the order of publication of Cotton's Quiet, Happy and Calm but they're all one and the same, using a thesaurus to change the headings. They're very pretty hardbacks but really simplistic content, and could be summaries in a few pages
This is the 3rd book of hers I'm reading (thankfully from the library and not purchased), coming to realise they're all the same, even some of the worksheets are the same!
This is the 3rd book of hers I'm reading (thankfully from the library and not purchased), coming to realise they're all the same, even some of the worksheets are the same!
May 20, 2018
A well thought out book covering different aspects of life where stress can arise and strategies for staying calm at those times. Cheerfully written in a relatable way. Sometimes my mind slipped elsewhere while reading, but that's likely because I'm not calm enough! Yet to really implement the strategies but feeling hopeful for a calmer future.
July 9, 2019
A really good read. I love that it’s divided into sections and Fearne’s writing style is very relaxed and easy. A lot of people have criticised Fearne for mistakes - whatever they mean by this, I have to disagree. It was written very well and allowed her freedom to include what she wanted, when she wanted.
January 6, 2018
I enjoyed the book and it helped give pause for thought about the stresses of life and how to allow calmness in. some good activities throughout. Not the most well written book and some parts felt a bit long winded for me but still an enjoyable and helpful read.
January 30, 2018
Another wonderful book by Fearne Cotton! I've underlined and circled so many parts of this as its so relatable. It's certainly taught me lots of little tips of how to be calmer and would definitely recommend it to others.
March 6, 2018
This book came at just the right time for me. Ferne rights with such an insightful but informal style that I felt more at ease straight away. Several sections of this book could have been written for me personally. I whole heartedly recommend the books and the calming tips that lie within.
January 12, 2018
Words of wisdom ......... and take a deep breath!
March 28, 2021
I like Fearne, I’d like to see more of her on the small screen but this book was not her best work! Anyone could write this! It could be summed up in one sentence: “don’t sweat the small stuff”
What’s more, comparing your bodily functions to a prescribed timetable and not coming up trumps is not exactly calming!
DNF, I’m out!
What’s more, comparing your bodily functions to a prescribed timetable and not coming up trumps is not exactly calming!
DNF, I’m out!
May 21, 2020
Absolutely loving this book, so much so I've just ordered 'Happy' & 'Quiet' too. Total game changer & made me realise I need to refocus & make changes to beat the anxieties that have been taking control of my life, before I can finally get back to being me.
August 17, 2021
Didn’t finish this book ,felt it was a bit preachy and didn’t relate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2023
I always feel that books like this are great when you read them. Then you get to the end and forget it all. It’s all very obvious stuff but some things are useful to remember at stressful times.
September 3, 2025
Very wordy. I felt like I had heard it all before but in fewer words.
February 26, 2022
This is my first Fearne cotton book and found it really good. Made me think about things from a different perspective, and could relate to lots of areas covered . Some useful tools to use too.
March 15, 2022
Honestly, Fearne Cotton is my spirit animal. This book speaks to my soul and I understood perfectly her thought process for majority of the chapters. When she speaks about certain scenarios, I feel like she’s inside my head and it’s helped me feel a little less alone or crazy in these things and her little tips will help me practice a little more calm in life. I needed this and I would certainly recommend.
February 11, 2021
Loved it! This book follows on great from where she left off with Happy. I love the way she writes as though she is still trying to figure things out herself. Once again many of the exercises are really useful. The main ones which I enjoyed were the breathing techniques, the time machine and the setting rules practice. Highly recommend!
February 17, 2023
2.5 stars, very repetitive but some gems to take away
June 25, 2023
I enjoy Fearne’s writing style but this book was very repetitive and basic at points.
October 24, 2020
Thought I would love this book, but unfortunately I really didn’t. Read the first 100 pages and skim read/skipped the rest. It just felt like an autobiography rather than a self help book.
April 20, 2019
Enjoyed reading this one and working through some of the exercises. It wasn’t as good as Fearne’s first book, ‘Happy’, but I think that one resonated much more with me and the areas I wanted to work on. Some great ideas about visualisation and positivity and understanding that we all feel anxious at various times in our life. Plenty of emphasis on mindfulness and living in the moment, similar to the previous book, and also on leaving the past where it belongs and not letting it cloud your present.
Fearne shares her own experiences honestly which is interesting, although not always relevant for everyone. I’d have liked to have seen more for people who perhaps have suffered difficult relationship breakdowns or single people, but this isn’t necessarily within the remit of her experiences. It’s great she’s found a happy, healthy relationship and her experiences are very much grounded in this - not a criticism, more an observation. That said, I’m pretty certain, like most self-help books, there is always so,etching to take from it and I shall be using the visualisation and living in the moment parts.
The social media part at the end was excellent, especially how women treat and comment on other women mainly from a superficial point of view. The advice about being different, being unique, was a message I needed to hear, along with the advice about what to do when people tell you that you are wrong - sometimes it’s about what’s right for you, NOT what is right for someone else and their point of view.
Fearne shares her own experiences honestly which is interesting, although not always relevant for everyone. I’d have liked to have seen more for people who perhaps have suffered difficult relationship breakdowns or single people, but this isn’t necessarily within the remit of her experiences. It’s great she’s found a happy, healthy relationship and her experiences are very much grounded in this - not a criticism, more an observation. That said, I’m pretty certain, like most self-help books, there is always so,etching to take from it and I shall be using the visualisation and living in the moment parts.
The social media part at the end was excellent, especially how women treat and comment on other women mainly from a superficial point of view. The advice about being different, being unique, was a message I needed to hear, along with the advice about what to do when people tell you that you are wrong - sometimes it’s about what’s right for you, NOT what is right for someone else and their point of view.
November 2, 2019
This wonderful little sefl-help guide was packed full of advice, and information on just how chaotic life can become, and how to appreciate the moments of calm. I was surprised that not only did it cover areas of Calm which we would expect such as work, relationships, and responsibilities, but also other aspects where we can make our lives calmer such as the environment in which we live.
Some parts felt more relatable to me than others. There is a strong theme throughout of Fearne’s experiences being a mother and the added pressure that this brings. So for me there were some parts that didn’t quite connect with me, but I would hugely recommend it for those that do have similar experiences.
The book was full of Q&A segments from professionals in the field, Fearne’s influences in her lfie, and also some well known celebrities. Calm is a very hopeful piece of writing which reminds your inner voice to be more encouraging and accepting as a way to reduce associated feelings of anxiety and stress.
This was an extremely accessible book as I managed to devour most of it during quite a stressful period, and it just gave me the stability and grounding I needed, exactly when I needed it. I gave it a four star review on Goodreads, as not all of the content felt applicable for me.
Some parts felt more relatable to me than others. There is a strong theme throughout of Fearne’s experiences being a mother and the added pressure that this brings. So for me there were some parts that didn’t quite connect with me, but I would hugely recommend it for those that do have similar experiences.
The book was full of Q&A segments from professionals in the field, Fearne’s influences in her lfie, and also some well known celebrities. Calm is a very hopeful piece of writing which reminds your inner voice to be more encouraging and accepting as a way to reduce associated feelings of anxiety and stress.
This was an extremely accessible book as I managed to devour most of it during quite a stressful period, and it just gave me the stability and grounding I needed, exactly when I needed it. I gave it a four star review on Goodreads, as not all of the content felt applicable for me.
October 9, 2020
I really wanted to love this book as I did feel it would help me as I suffer from a concoction of mental health issues, but I found myself skimming through it. I found it repetitive, and it wasn’t necessarily an engaging book. Like others I was also distracted by the many typos. I thought this series would be good (O haven’t read any of the others before) but I don’t think I will rush to read them.
January 3, 2019
Very relevant and down to earth
Hugely enjoyed this book and has some fantastic advice. Has helped me to be more aware of myself and my surroundings . I am sure most people will find this book extremely relevant for our increasingly busy and chaotic lives. It has certainly given me some perspective and motivation to aspire to a sense of calm. Can't wait to read her new one now!
Hugely enjoyed this book and has some fantastic advice. Has helped me to be more aware of myself and my surroundings . I am sure most people will find this book extremely relevant for our increasingly busy and chaotic lives. It has certainly given me some perspective and motivation to aspire to a sense of calm. Can't wait to read her new one now!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews