I Am More Than My Nightmares

by Jennae Cecelia

I Am More Than My Nightmares is my journey from being engulfed in fear to learning how to let my mind free when it is calling for a break. I have learned over the past few years how to better handle the worry and fear that lives in my mind. I am not perfect. I still worry and I am still anxious, but I know that I am more than my nightmares. I hope if you have ever had anxious tendencies, these poems help you feel a little more at peace. This book is meant to be flipped through when your anxious mind needs some time to unwind and realize, you are not alone.

Genres: Poetry, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Mental Illness, Ebooks, Contemporary

110 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2018

About the author

Jennae Cecelia is a bestselling author and poet, recognized for her books The Sun Will Rise and So Will We and Healing For No One But Me and the viral “I met my younger self for coffee” poem. Starting in 2016, she self-published her debut book which became a #1 bestseller on Amazon. Her mission is to write words that comfort and resonate deeply with her audience. Jennae spends her time creating custom poetry for readers, turning her poems into illustrated pieces, and teaching other authors how to share their writing with the world.

Reviews

[Emmyreads444 · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow as someone who struggles with mental illness, this was absolutely amazing.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has mental health issues (especially anxiety,) this book - these poems, just spoke to me on a whole different level than most of the poetry I have read before.

[Scarlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ En mi vida había sentido lo que sentí con este poemario, me sentí vista por estos poemas, no tengo otra forma de explicarlo

Fear comes like waves.
It never fully goes away.
Some waves are much
bigger than others,
but I have learned
to take more breaths
and talk about what is
swimming around
in my mind.
Then my fear
can start to subside.

Destaque tantas frases que me encantaría poner aquí pero no puedo, las siento tan privadas, ahora ya son mías.

Creo que la representación en este libro está muy bien lograda, espero poder leer más poemarios de la autora en el futuro

[Sasha Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light, uplifting, and motivational. Everything I expected from a Jennae Cecelia poetry collection.

[Elysa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a poetry book about fear and the journey to overcoming it. It's all free verse and the poems are rather short, so that when you are feeling anxiety you can read through some words of understanding and encouragement. I have been dealing with anxiety for a long time and have come a long way from where I used to be, so I could relate to these quite a bit. Here are three (not formatted) poems which I felt best reflected my own journey.

Fear comes like waves. It never fully goes away. Some waves are much bigger than others, but I have learned to take more breaths and talk about what is swimming around in my mind. Then my fear can start to subside.

I am not perfect. I still worry and I am still anxious, but I know that I am more than my nightmares.

Although it seems long and tiring, one day you will look back and realize all the growth you made on your hike.>

[☘︎ elisabet ☘︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

yesss!! As Jennae herself says, this book is meant to be flipped through when your anxious mind needs some time to unwind.
I read this in one go this morning within the same hour and it was an absolute magical feeling and soothing to the soul.


“I am the river moving
in the dead of winter.
Still pushing through strong
even when conditions
are at their worst.”

[m ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

« One time I planted
a whole garden
and expected
my fruit to
grow in abundance
and my flowers
to be full of color.
But a frost came
and took away
all of my hard work.
So I chose to plant
myself a new garden,
rather than give up
and be left in the dirt.
What would you have chosen? »

❤️

[Kellen Foord · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am more than my nightmares is my favourite poetry book by Jennae Cecelia, I could relate to every poem. Her poetry gave me the feeling of 'wow, she understands what I'm going through"

[Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?] · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fear my own voice.
It shakes
when I am scared.
It babbles
when I am nervous.
It stutters
when I am confused.
I fear my own voice,
so I write.

[Robert Pierson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad poems but I didn’t find them really all that great either this is just OK it got kind of repetitive after a while I do like the fact you get some more of a glimpse into the mind of the poet but there’s just not really much there to hold my attention unfortunately there’s probably an audience out there for this poet but I am probably not in it

[Rissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

I am more than my nightmares ⭐️
“Healing isnt taking the fast land down the highway. Healing is taking the back roads with pot holes and dead ends. But i will get there. “

“Do not fear the rain is only here to help you grow”

[Stephanie Gillespie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a poetry collection, that focuses on anxiety. I feel as if it was well represented as I have a form of anxiety, I related to many poems. I really enjoy Jennae’s poetry,the only reason I have it a 3 is I felt it was often repetitive, however I still really enjoyed it

[Shelby Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennae's books are so important. I can really relate to this book in particular because it covers the topic of anxiety. I really felt a lot of her words and would recommend this to someone who has anxiety or needs some encouragement.

[Jennifer Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Am More Than My Nightmares is a moving poetry collection about anxiety and fears. It is relatable and emotional. And although I’m not an expert in anxiety, I feel that it is represented very well. I hope to read more of Jennae Cecelia’s work in the future!
To see my full review: https://www.boundtowriting.com/poetry...

[Isabelle Kooreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know what it is about Jennae’s books but I always read through them so quickly. I just want to absorb it all.
I wish I could write such sweet, uplifting pieces as she does.
I recommend this book to anyone who needs a little pick me up.

[soph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will rise from
my soil
with beauty
and grace.

[Marjolein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not her best, but it was nice. Definitely one I'd read/flip through again when I'm feeling anxious

[Eve Batten · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked this, but it wasn’t as good as some others i have read. most poems were a bit forgettable but as few, such as the fake plant one, will stay with me

[Christine (myfictionaldays) · Rating 2 out of 5]

You see.. there’s potential but we have to let go of the Rupi Kaur epidemic

« Today may not be my day,
but I have 364 to make better. »

« I fear things I know I will never face,
yet I fear them anyways.
That's anxiety. »

Some thoughts don’t have to make the final cut …

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was so enlightening oh my gosh
it had such amazing words and explanations, helpful and relatable situations, as well as a way into the readers mind.
it was very fun to read, and took me only an hour or so so to finish

[Jamie (Books and Ladders) · Rating 5 out of 5]

See this review and more on Books and Ladders!

"But I am guaranteed right now, this moment.
I will not live my life betting on the next day.
I won’t.
I will live for today."

This was Cecelia's best poetry collection yet. I would recommend reading her earlier ones first because it builds up to this moment: realizing that she has gone on a journey to become a voice in poetry. I loved every poem in this and cannot wait to read more of Cecelia's poetry in the future.

"You say I look different, but the only change in me is now I am looking at myself with a whole new perspective."

[Beetle The Bard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this collection and found it to be quite relatable! I’m becoming quite the fan of this author <3

[Muzmuz · Rating 5 out of 5]

You need to pick it up

If your are always haunted by the wheels of your mind, you need this book.
The peoms in it will set your mind at ease and give you a little sunshine to breath

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

so what if i put half of the book worth of quotes here

I am not perfect. I still worry and I am still anxious, but I know that I am more than my nightmares.
∼
There are pieces of me
scattered all around,
and every time I try
to pick myself up again
there is another
gust of wind
that forces me
to start over.
∼
I always have the fear
of my arms
not being
long enough
to protect everyone
that I love.
∼
I want you
to comfort me,
but how do you
ease a heart
that never stops
racing and knees
that never stop
shaking,
even when asleep?
∼
I am longing for
a safe place to grow.
∼
I see myself
as scribbles
on pages
longing to be
even lines.
∼
Fear comes like waves.
It never fully goes away.
Some waves are much
bigger than others,
but I have learned
to take more breaths
and talk about what is
swimming around
in my mind.
∼
I fear things
I know I will
never face,
yet I fear them
anyways.
That’s anxiety.
∼
How do I explain
that I can’t go out
with you because
I am afraid of
the crowd
around us?
[...]
How do I explain
that I am made up
of FEAR ?
∼
It is
scary to be
a dreamer in
a world that
sees dreams
as only
small possibilities.
∼
My anxious mind
worries about
what I am not being,
or what I should
be seeing.
My anxious mind
takes no vacation.
∼
Somehow I was
that six-year-old
kid again.
Standing at the top
of the basement stairs
afraid of what would
await me at the bottom.
Nothing.
Nothing was there.
But oh did the fear
feel so real.
∼
I just need your
hand to say
I will be here,
fearlessly
and forever yours.
∼
The moon appears
even during the day
to let you know it is still
there and is
coming back soon.
Will you be my moon?
Because I am always
worried about you
when you are not around.

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cecelia delivers a short poetry book about the anxious racing thoughts she struggles with daily. The book is meant to make the reader feel less alone with mental health struggles. There are a few poems that I deeply connected to, but a majority of the poems felt like filler poems. I expected the book to talk more about the fears she’s facing, and what it was like to overcome them. The title led me to believe it would speak more about nightmares and dreams, but it does not. Although I know this comparison is made to the fear and worst-case scenarios she feels with anxiety, it could have been an interesting concept to incorporate more sleep, nightmare, and dreamlike themes. It is more of an inspirational quote-type book, with poems like:

(Pg. 84)
Sometimes our winters
flow unexpectedly
into our springs.
But hope,
hope will get you
through it.

I loved the intended message, but I wish she included some more metaphors and comparisons that lead the reader to a revelation or conclusion about anxiety. Such as how to have hope, how Cecelia found hope within her struggle, and what it takes to see the light within the darkness.

Overall, a quick and easy read! Was worth the purchase. I’ll be picking up a few of her other books to see what her work is about.

[_archi_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“It is
scary to be
a dreamer in
a world that
sees dreams
as only
small possibilities.”

“Sometimes our winters
flow unexpectedly
into our springs.
But hope,
hope will get you
through it.”

“I am grateful
for every storm
the universe
has given me.
I am who I am
because of every
raindrop
I have felt
and every gust
of wind that
has shifted me
in a different
direction.”

[Amnie ༊*·˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

✯✯.5/✯✯✯✯✯

"It is not about crossing the finish line first, while overworking and stressing out your body and mind. It is about making it in a way that is most caring to yourself. Your mental health is not a race."

Not the best one from her but still there's a few poetry i adore with all my heart 🤍🌬️ Will continue reading her other books since she's my favourite poets 💟

[Melissa Melfessity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think is my favorite by her so far that Ive read. Its very focused on anxiety and fear and her thoughts after she has gained more control over her thoughts on these topics. Relatable yet also inspiring . I dont have anxiety to the extent that is relayed in this book but its still relatable. Loved this one a lot!!

[anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved! for people with mental health or that just need a reminder about where you are in you’re life. that healing is a process. that taking a moment to treat yourself with the same respect as you treat others. and the perfect poetry book to read to the start of my anxious work year.

[andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I need is to
throw my seeds
into the wind
and trust
the universe
will have me bloom
where I belong.