Within These Four Walls

by Mindfully Evie

“Every word written in this book was written from within the confines of my home. Spanning over nearly three years this book is a testament to my time being housebound and proof that despite all the suffering, there is always happiness to be created, peace to be unearthed, and a life to be lived.

A journey of self-discovery and personal growth, I hope this book may offer you comfort, inspiration, and wisdom, whatever path you find yourself on. And I hope by sharing my story and imparting my thoughts, it may help you in some small way too.”

You’ll find this book is a collection of “pieces”: some longer, some shorter, some reading like letters, others like journal entries, some like poems, and some continuous and broken prose. The book is split into three parts: The Storm, The Aftermath, and The Calm, as well as a bonus chapter called 'A Conversation with Wisdom'. This book will take you on a transformative journey from the bad moments, to the good moments, and everything in between.

Genres: Nonfiction, Poetry, Memoir, Disability, Self Help, Inspirational, Mental Health

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2019

About the author

Evie is the writer behind the "Mindfully Evie" books and Instagram account (@mindfullyevie). In 2016, due to suffering from severe M.E, she was too ill to leave the house for nearly four years. During this time, Evie went on a journey of self-discovery and emotional healing. She now shares the lessons she has learnt - and is still learning - from these past few years. Offering comfort and light, Evie uses her platform to raise awareness about chronic illness. Writing with openness and vulnerability, she helps validate people's experiences - no matter what they may be going through.

Reviews

[Rosalyn Oxer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am struggling to explain just how much I got from this book but I will be buying it for friends and family because it so eloquently sums up what I want to say but have never found the words for.
I know I’ll reach for this book time and time again.

[Denica · Rating 5 out of 5]

So calming and so comforting. I have read this book behind my own four walls, inspired to keep breathing and keep battling. Thank you.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evie is a beautiful soul, exuding calm through her writing. Somehow she makes you feel that everything will be ok. A must read as the world needs more Evies!

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone gave this book to me because I’m going trough quite a hard time at the moment. From the first page it felt like Evie was in my mind, also having M.E. myself. But more in my “old” mind, before I let others get to me so much, this book came exactly at the right time which makes it the best gift ever to me. It inspired me to choose to live again and stop others get to me so much, to be positive once again. From the bottom of my heart Evie, I thank you. I’ve been following you on Instagram for forever but never knew about your book (I’ve been on and of on Instagram). I read it in less than a day and it changed my life. I can recommend this book to everyone, not only people who also have a chronic illness but also the people around them. Actually even if you don’t know anyone going trough chronic illness you may never know when you meet one, a loved one becomes one, or maybe even yourself as anyone can get it. I hope this book will one day be as famous as milk & honey and the princess saves herself in this one because it’s absolutely amazing. Thankyou for writing and sharing this. I would give more stars if I could.

[Mrs H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evie is truly inspirational and her writings reflect her talent and heart. This collection is heartbreaking and, at the same time, uplifting. Everyone should read this.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within These Four Walls is a wonderful read that is full of wisdom, hope and humility. It is full of short, easy to read 'pieces' which I believe will resonate with anyone, not just those with chronic illnesses.

Evie has a beautiful way of putting into words the complexities of life and emotion. Rather than being a narrative about Evie's story, Within These Four Walls is written in a way that you can dip in and out of depending on what is going on for you - it is something I will keep coming back to rather than a one off read. I would highly recommend it to anyone, and believe it will help me grow and become more mindful myself.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, a wonderful collection of pieces that provide words of calm and wisdom that resonate whether you have a chronic illness or not. Beautifully written and moving, it will be my go to when I need a bit of daily mindfulness or a pick me up on an overwhelming day.

[Jenny F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I follow this young lady on Instagram (@mindfullyevie) and love the way she writes. Her book does not disappoint - each page is more beautiful than the last and I could not put the book down. “Within these four walls” will be next to my bed so it is within arm’s reach for whenever I need some positivity and encouragement when life gets tough. It’s lovely and I am sure this will not be the last book from this talented author.

[Ane Ellasdatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge recommendation for everyone suffering from ME, fatigue or other chronic illness. There is so much support, wisdom and hope in this book, and I plan to reread it several times.

Not all the pieces spoke to me personally, but I'm sure anyone can find something they need here.

[Samantha // fictionfigurine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone with chronic illness.

[Olivia Hamill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book is just so beautiful. I’ve followed Evie on Instagram for ages and only just got around to buying her book- and I’m so grateful to finally have read this. Each page is different; some with little messages, some with longer prose. I’ve seen other people comment that you have to be ready to read this book and I definitely agree- for a while when I was diagnosed I was so lost and angry that I wouldn’t have been able to appreciate this book. But now I totally relate to how Evie looks back on how much she has learned about herself and the world as a result of her time housebound.
I feel like I need to make a list of page numbers corresponding with the days when I should read them- pages to read when I feel insecure, lost, or like a failure (has someone already done this? It should be a thing!)
This book is definitely one to keep and reread. I think anyone, with or without a chronic illness, would benefit from reading this.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful book, really thought provoking and with lots of passages that offer great insights into being happy and accepting what life throws at you. I found it beautifully written, and quite amazing that the author can offer such wisdom from their own personal journey as detailed in this book. I really enjoyed the pieces in "The Calm", but each reader is likely to relate to different sections depending upon their own circumstances.

[Julie Hardman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve only read a few pages so far buts it’s just what I need to lift me up and remind me life is beautiful even when facing lots of hardship. Evie is so inspirational and so good at reminding us to see the good in life no matter how hard it might be

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of poetry is so relatable and encouraging. It is especially encouraging to those who deal with a chronic illness, but everyone can benefit from this book even if you haven't experienced having a chronic illness. This book is full of quality life advice. It almost feels like you are having a chit chat with your wise older sister.

[Rachel Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book that I would urge anyone to read, whether they’re going through a difficult time or need some inspiration to cultivate gratitude.

⁣⁣
Evie has severe ME and chronic Lyme, has not left her house in 3 years, and is currently bedbound. ⁣⁣
Yet she has managed to write a beautiful collection of pieces, with letters, journal entries and poems on what it’s like to live with this extreme level of chronic illness, and what she has learned. She shares the words that help her to keep going, to come home to herself, to find peace and happiness. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
At just 22 she has lived through unimaginable challenges, but gained such profound wisdom, it’s clear she’s an old soul.
⁣⁣
Evie is living proof to all of us that you can be extremely unwell, but still live a good, joyful life. ⁣⁣
⁣
Even if you’re well, I’d thoroughly recommend it for all the wisdom, inspiration and wonder it contains. You can’t choose what life throws at you, but you can choose what you make it mean. I like to read a few pages before bed for a bit of inspiration (I also have ME/CFS).
⁣⁣
Evie touches so many people every day (check out her Instagram for updates) and her soul makes the world so much brighter, a must read.

[Sadie Santillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful read that is perfect for when you're going through difficult times. I often found myself flipping back to pages that were related to how I was feeling and it made me feel so much better that I wasn't alone in the emotions. gives such great insight on how to be content with your life no matter what season of life you are in<3

[A.]

As an early-twenty-something housebound person with ME, I found myself relating to Evie quite a lot. It seems like we've more or less gone the same journey, and a lot of the reflections in this book look like my own notes app. I don't feel like I personally learned anything new from it, but it served as a compilations of good reminders, told through Evie's, at once, compassionate and determined voice, making it a lovely, uplifting read. I highly enjoyed it in the beginning, but it became a little too repetitive for my liking as it went on. I think I got bored with the 'instagram poetry' writing style. (That's not to say Evie isn't a good writer. She clearly has a knack for it, and I'm glad she decided to use it during such a challenging time - both for her own sake and "ours"). I also realised that a lot of the writing felt a bit surface level-ish. She kept talking about how truly happy she was, despite her seemingly unhappy circumstances, and the message seemed along the lines of "just choose to be happy". I'm not saying I don't believe her, I'm probably just someone that needs a little more practical advice. I would've loved to know a more detailed version of how she achieved this happiness. What did her days look like when she was house- and bedbound? How did she use her time and energy constructively? This is what's missing for me. Definitely still worth a read though. I feel like it applies to anyone who finds themselves disabled or struggling to cope with longterm illness, and even more so those who are also in their teens or 20's because of its frequent coming-of-age themes. It also encourages freeing yourself from negative peer comparison and the expectations of the society we live in. We need this representation <3

[Rebecca&#x1f331; · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a couple of pages of this book every night. It’s the last thing I see before I try and sleep, and it brings me so much peace. The evening if often when I get most anxious - what will tonight bring? Tomorrow? The future? How will I ever ‘live’ when I can’t even leave the house? Evie’s soothing words manage to calm me, and is often the only thing that reminds me I am already living despite not being ‘out there’. It gives me hope, peace and joy all at once and I am incredibly grateful for that.
Living with M.E makes me feel terribly lonely and isolated, but this is the only thing that makes me feel less alone.

[Daledonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written from perspective of someone housebound with Chronic Fatigue syndrome. Very well done, and exactly whst i needed at this time. If you are suffering from any Chronic illness i would recommend it. Its not a how to. Mostly poetry and short essays, but so poignant and she's captured the feelings of despair isolation, etc while giving hope.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful and inspirational. An absolute must-read.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic poetry book!! It is filled with so much wisdom and insight!

[AJ Balmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is predominantly poetry.