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Life Falls Apart, But You Don't Have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos
Julie Potiker turns some enormous lemons in her life into the sweetest lemonade in this wonderful book. She brings together practical brain science, powerful methods from psychotherapy, and her own friendly, funny, encouraging, and heartfelt voice to offer a wonderful roadmap and toolbox for when life throws some lemons at you. —Rick Hanson, PhD, author of Buddha’s The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom; and Hardwiring The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence.
At one point in her life, Julie Potiker was so stressed that she began manifesting symptoms of a stroke. It was at this point she realized she needed to change her life and find better ways of managing the challenges she would inevitably face.
Now she’s sharing the methods she developed with you. In this compassionate and courageous new guide, Potiker shows you how to
Potiker also introduces Jewish tradition into her mindfulness lessons and explains the importance of following your own spiritual and emotional values as you embark on this new journey.
At one point in her life, Julie Potiker was so stressed that she began manifesting symptoms of a stroke. It was at this point she realized she needed to change her life and find better ways of managing the challenges she would inevitably face.
Now she’s sharing the methods she developed with you. In this compassionate and courageous new guide, Potiker shows you how to
Potiker also introduces Jewish tradition into her mindfulness lessons and explains the importance of following your own spiritual and emotional values as you embark on this new journey.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2018
32 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 16, 2023
I know where this woman is coming from, but... it's oozing of white-woman, suburban California-mom privilege and I have a really hard time relating to that. This isn't to say there isn't anything useful in here, this just isn't the book for me. It might be for you, and if it is, awesome!
She speaks as if these paths are the only way to effective and centered mental health practices. These practices don't work on everyone - including people with severe trauma that cannot close their eyes safely to tap into her solutions.
I would have liked to see her book more inclusive of other types of mental health practices, as the air and tone of this book was very much, "I've read all the books. Taken all the classes. But I have very limited views of larger world experiences of hardship or destruction outside of my suburban life and neighborhood bubble of my kids and my friend's kids."
This isn't to diminish her trauma or say she hasn't experienced any. By no means am I saying that. It's very clear she's had some struggles and experienced traumatic events.
It feels very high and mighty, and I have zero desire to be preached to. I have a hard time coming to someone and entrusting them with my psychological safety when they have what appears to be incredibly limited views and experiences, and judgments for every situation.
So many judgments for everything and everyone and why people are the way they are.
She speaks as if these paths are the only way to effective and centered mental health practices. These practices don't work on everyone - including people with severe trauma that cannot close their eyes safely to tap into her solutions.
I would have liked to see her book more inclusive of other types of mental health practices, as the air and tone of this book was very much, "I've read all the books. Taken all the classes. But I have very limited views of larger world experiences of hardship or destruction outside of my suburban life and neighborhood bubble of my kids and my friend's kids."
This isn't to diminish her trauma or say she hasn't experienced any. By no means am I saying that. It's very clear she's had some struggles and experienced traumatic events.
It feels very high and mighty, and I have zero desire to be preached to. I have a hard time coming to someone and entrusting them with my psychological safety when they have what appears to be incredibly limited views and experiences, and judgments for every situation.
So many judgments for everything and everyone and why people are the way they are.
December 15, 2025
Life Falls Apart, But You Don’t Have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos by Julie Potiker is a compassionate and practical guide for navigating life’s unpredictable challenges. Drawing on brain science, psychotherapy techniques, and her own deeply personal experiences, Potiker offers readers an actionable toolbox to stay grounded and resilient when life becomes overwhelming.
Her voice is approachable, warm, and often humorous, making complex psychological and mindfulness concepts easy to understand and apply. Unique to this work is Potiker’s integration of Jewish tradition with mindfulness practices, providing readers with spiritual and emotional guidance alongside scientific strategies. The book is ideal for anyone seeking calm, clarity, and emotional resilience in chaotic circumstances.
Her voice is approachable, warm, and often humorous, making complex psychological and mindfulness concepts easy to understand and apply. Unique to this work is Potiker’s integration of Jewish tradition with mindfulness practices, providing readers with spiritual and emotional guidance alongside scientific strategies. The book is ideal for anyone seeking calm, clarity, and emotional resilience in chaotic circumstances.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews