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The Trans Self-Care Workbook: A Coloring Book and Journal for Trans and Non-Binary People
If you're transgender, non-binary, or any other gender under the wide and wonderful trans umbrella, this book is for you. A creative journal and workbook with a difference, this book combines coloring pages celebrating trans identity, beauty and relationships, with practical advice, journaling prompts and space for reflection to promote self-affirmation and wellbeing. Drawing on CBT and mindfulness techniques, the book covers topics including body positivity and neutrality, coming out, euphoria and dysphoria, building new friendships and navigating relationships with your friends and family, and is the go-to resource for anybody who has ever felt the pressure to conform to a singular definition or narrative. Theo Nicole Lorenz's heart-warming and empowering illustrations of trans people will provide reassurance that you are never alone, and are a reminder to always treat yourself kindly.
176 pages, Paperback
Published October 21, 2020
14 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 22, 2022
This is a fantastic colouring and workbook that radiates so much joy and warmth. I smiled so much while filling out this workbook, but it was also really hard. It requires you to be vulnerable and honest with yourself outside of your own mind, which is one of the scariest things to do. There were some parts where I had to come back to, and some parts that just flowed from my pen to paper effortlessly.
Amongst the exercises are pieces of advice, colouring sheets with cute illustrations, and many words of positivity and affirmations. I loved the fact that it uses real therapeutic techniques and psychology that has a real, positive impact on your mind and self esteem.
I am a nonbinary lesbian, and I don't personally consider myself trans as I still feel a connection to my assigned sex at birth (although not wholly). I feel like to do so would be taking away vital space, resources and attention from those who especially need it. However, this book really had me reflecting on that, forced me (in the best way) to ask myself difficult questions, and to confront my internalized transphobia head-on. Is it because I feel like non-binary lesbians aren't trans enough? Is it because I don't want any kind of surgery? Is it because I like my name and I still use she/her pronouns sometimes? Is it because deep down I think my brain might just be faking it all? These are all questions I had to confront while reading and writing in this workbook.
This is a fantastic resource for trans, nonbinary and questioning youth (and adults!) Especially when therapy is so expensive and inaccessible to most trans and n-b youth, books like this are so valuable. I honestly think that every trans and n-b person should have this and go through at least some of these exercises. I was thoroughly pleased with this!
Amongst the exercises are pieces of advice, colouring sheets with cute illustrations, and many words of positivity and affirmations. I loved the fact that it uses real therapeutic techniques and psychology that has a real, positive impact on your mind and self esteem.
I am a nonbinary lesbian, and I don't personally consider myself trans as I still feel a connection to my assigned sex at birth (although not wholly). I feel like to do so would be taking away vital space, resources and attention from those who especially need it. However, this book really had me reflecting on that, forced me (in the best way) to ask myself difficult questions, and to confront my internalized transphobia head-on. Is it because I feel like non-binary lesbians aren't trans enough? Is it because I don't want any kind of surgery? Is it because I like my name and I still use she/her pronouns sometimes? Is it because deep down I think my brain might just be faking it all? These are all questions I had to confront while reading and writing in this workbook.
This is a fantastic resource for trans, nonbinary and questioning youth (and adults!) Especially when therapy is so expensive and inaccessible to most trans and n-b youth, books like this are so valuable. I honestly think that every trans and n-b person should have this and go through at least some of these exercises. I was thoroughly pleased with this!
September 24, 2020
Even as someone who is out and transitioning, this book still allowed me to reflect on who I am. I now volunteer at charities for trans youth, and I will definitely recommend this workbook to some of the kids there.
October 28, 2020
This book is utterly delightful! There are activities, affirmations and beautiful drawings to color. Highly recommend!
December 22, 2021
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I got an ARC of this book.
I hate self-help books. They tend to be total BS and oversimplified garbage. I can’t say that this book doesn’t do similar things to those, but at least this one tries actually address issues that real people have instead of barely touching on a subject just to make money. There are references to actual studies and it was written by a person who actually experiences these things.
This book focuses on self-care. It does not claim to be a cure-all for loneliness or any other issues. Instead it is more a guided walkthrough of some issues that are really common in the trans community. Issues like choosing a name, coming out, finding support, and dealing with dysphoria. A note of the dysphoria: it is said that not every trans person experiences dysphoria and that you don’t need dysphoria to be trans. This is a HUGE yes. No truscum allowed here. I am trans and I experience dysphoria and I will support the people who don’t experience dysphoria. Stop gatekeeping. Lorenz also mentions that there are different kinds of dysphoria, which is honestly mind blowing. I have never seen discussions on that and the distinctions make so much sense within my own dysphoria and transition. So dysphoria is handled so perfectly. I am impressed.
The biggest drawback for me is that there is so much focus on self-affirmations (says self-armations, but there were so many issues in the text that I am assuming it is affirmations, if I am wrong then I learned a new word!). These make me MORE anxious, MORE self-conscious, and MORE dysphoric. So the main exercise being something that is harmful for me was something I didn’t enjoy and was a bit grumpy about. What saved that for me is that the author included references to studies that showed that these are generally helpful and how they are helpful. It wasn’t just a “chant your issues away” it was a “these are shown to lower stress hormones and increase confidence in multiple studies”. So it felt a bit more like the author actually cared and they did research versus spouting nonsense that is untested just to sell books.
The pictures were fun, but not ones I would want to color. Though, again, I have issues with coloring and it makes me more anxious anyway, so what I want to color is pretty useless scale to use. It was a lot of people in different sizes and genders. It was a wonderfully representative effort. I can appreciate them, even if I don’t want to color them. I enjoyed the theme of the pictures of being who you are and just being happy. So many smiling faces and loving characters. There were also sections about drawing, which I am again backwards about. The frames were really pretty looking. I really wish drawing and coloring helped me instead of making me feel worse.
So if self-affirmations and coloring help you cope, then this is a great resource for you. If you are backwards about so many mental health and self-care things like me, then enjoy the idea behind the book and cry at 5% like I did. I won’t be using this as a form of self-care, but I have already started telling everyone I know about it who these techniques work for. Reading through the reasons and the support the author provides was still such a wonderful experience that I enjoyed the book.
I got an ARC of this book.
I hate self-help books. They tend to be total BS and oversimplified garbage. I can’t say that this book doesn’t do similar things to those, but at least this one tries actually address issues that real people have instead of barely touching on a subject just to make money. There are references to actual studies and it was written by a person who actually experiences these things.
This book focuses on self-care. It does not claim to be a cure-all for loneliness or any other issues. Instead it is more a guided walkthrough of some issues that are really common in the trans community. Issues like choosing a name, coming out, finding support, and dealing with dysphoria. A note of the dysphoria: it is said that not every trans person experiences dysphoria and that you don’t need dysphoria to be trans. This is a HUGE yes. No truscum allowed here. I am trans and I experience dysphoria and I will support the people who don’t experience dysphoria. Stop gatekeeping. Lorenz also mentions that there are different kinds of dysphoria, which is honestly mind blowing. I have never seen discussions on that and the distinctions make so much sense within my own dysphoria and transition. So dysphoria is handled so perfectly. I am impressed.
The biggest drawback for me is that there is so much focus on self-affirmations (says self-armations, but there were so many issues in the text that I am assuming it is affirmations, if I am wrong then I learned a new word!). These make me MORE anxious, MORE self-conscious, and MORE dysphoric. So the main exercise being something that is harmful for me was something I didn’t enjoy and was a bit grumpy about. What saved that for me is that the author included references to studies that showed that these are generally helpful and how they are helpful. It wasn’t just a “chant your issues away” it was a “these are shown to lower stress hormones and increase confidence in multiple studies”. So it felt a bit more like the author actually cared and they did research versus spouting nonsense that is untested just to sell books.
The pictures were fun, but not ones I would want to color. Though, again, I have issues with coloring and it makes me more anxious anyway, so what I want to color is pretty useless scale to use. It was a lot of people in different sizes and genders. It was a wonderfully representative effort. I can appreciate them, even if I don’t want to color them. I enjoyed the theme of the pictures of being who you are and just being happy. So many smiling faces and loving characters. There were also sections about drawing, which I am again backwards about. The frames were really pretty looking. I really wish drawing and coloring helped me instead of making me feel worse.
So if self-affirmations and coloring help you cope, then this is a great resource for you. If you are backwards about so many mental health and self-care things like me, then enjoy the idea behind the book and cry at 5% like I did. I won’t be using this as a form of self-care, but I have already started telling everyone I know about it who these techniques work for. Reading through the reasons and the support the author provides was still such a wonderful experience that I enjoyed the book.
October 22, 2020
I gotta be honest, I'm not entirely sure what to make of this book.
It calls itself a workbook, part coloring book, part journal.
The illustrations for colouring in were quite lovely, and exuded a queerness I enjoyed greatly. Trans people always featured in every picture, in various situations and settings. I found some of these settings a bit too on-the-nose, however, especially in the chapters that talk about transphobia. Some more escapism in those area would have been nice in my opinion, though I can also see how some people might find colouring those pages cathargic.
I don't think the book really qualifies as a journal. Workbook fits much better. There's small writing tasks, all centered around gender and past experiences, feelings and reflection, and some do require quite some thought.
There are also some pages where you are asked to draw something - most of which I found a bit too abstract.
Another big thing of the book were affirmations. I liked that there was always room to add your own affirmations, and examples of how to turn a negative thougth into a positive affirmation. I didn't always connect with the affirmations, but especially the ones about forgiving yourself hit home for me.
The book isn't exactly educational, but I do think it brings some points home. Nothing new, exactly, but things that sometimes are just necessary to hear or remind yourself of.
Still, I feel like it occasionally didn't really know what it wanted to be. It scratches the surface of many topics but doesn't go in depth for any, and transitions were always jarring.
That said, with the lists it gives as examples for how to feel gender euphoria, what to try out with clothing, how to feel safer in public, etc. were always very comprehensive and apparently based on the experience of other trans people, according to the author.
I think the book would also have benefited from being a bit less blank. Aside from the illusrations for colouring, the formatting was very basic and extremely minimal. If this was supposed to be an encouragement for doodling around the margins, I missed the hint. It's also possible that the final copy will have a more exciting formating.
I received and ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
It calls itself a workbook, part coloring book, part journal.
The illustrations for colouring in were quite lovely, and exuded a queerness I enjoyed greatly. Trans people always featured in every picture, in various situations and settings. I found some of these settings a bit too on-the-nose, however, especially in the chapters that talk about transphobia. Some more escapism in those area would have been nice in my opinion, though I can also see how some people might find colouring those pages cathargic.
I don't think the book really qualifies as a journal. Workbook fits much better. There's small writing tasks, all centered around gender and past experiences, feelings and reflection, and some do require quite some thought.
There are also some pages where you are asked to draw something - most of which I found a bit too abstract.
Another big thing of the book were affirmations. I liked that there was always room to add your own affirmations, and examples of how to turn a negative thougth into a positive affirmation. I didn't always connect with the affirmations, but especially the ones about forgiving yourself hit home for me.
The book isn't exactly educational, but I do think it brings some points home. Nothing new, exactly, but things that sometimes are just necessary to hear or remind yourself of.
Still, I feel like it occasionally didn't really know what it wanted to be. It scratches the surface of many topics but doesn't go in depth for any, and transitions were always jarring.
That said, with the lists it gives as examples for how to feel gender euphoria, what to try out with clothing, how to feel safer in public, etc. were always very comprehensive and apparently based on the experience of other trans people, according to the author.
I think the book would also have benefited from being a bit less blank. Aside from the illusrations for colouring, the formatting was very basic and extremely minimal. If this was supposed to be an encouragement for doodling around the margins, I missed the hint. It's also possible that the final copy will have a more exciting formating.
I received and ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
September 16, 2020
What a fun ride! This workbook is fantastic and filled with such honest humor.
The affirmations are great, and some of them even hit me right in the feels personally. I had to take a moment and breathe through the feelings they brought up. "I am enough, even when I feel incomplete." Wow! Right in the feels. And they're all like that, encouraging people to be true to themselves even in the face of a world that tells them they are not enough, not worthy, not wanted. All of the affirmations are beautiful things that we all should be saying to ourselves, but especially those marginalized by society.
The coloring pages! Oh they're fun! They're cute and stylistic, and I itch to take some gel pens to them and make them sparkle! They also provide a moment to breathe between workbook pages. It's a time to reflect on what you've already worked through and dealt with in writing, now you can step back and process it through the calm, soothing act of coloring. Who doesn't want that in their self-care?
The topics brought up in this workbook are all very inclusive and diverse, allowing for multiple perspectives to have access to the guidance that they need in their journey. They discuss the need for community, be that friends, loved ones, or chosen family. There's discussion on how people can interact with society and the expectations put forth by their gender, and the fact that sometimes those don't jive with your personal feelings, and that's okay. Overall there's a great emphasis on how each person should live their own individual journey with gender, and that there's no one right way to express yourself.
I'm going to buy myself a copy of this workbook when it comes out, and I'll likely end up buying copies for friends, too. I've already recommended it to friends, too! It's just so cute and fun and genuine. A great tool that everyone should have in their self-care arsenal.
The affirmations are great, and some of them even hit me right in the feels personally. I had to take a moment and breathe through the feelings they brought up. "I am enough, even when I feel incomplete." Wow! Right in the feels. And they're all like that, encouraging people to be true to themselves even in the face of a world that tells them they are not enough, not worthy, not wanted. All of the affirmations are beautiful things that we all should be saying to ourselves, but especially those marginalized by society.
The coloring pages! Oh they're fun! They're cute and stylistic, and I itch to take some gel pens to them and make them sparkle! They also provide a moment to breathe between workbook pages. It's a time to reflect on what you've already worked through and dealt with in writing, now you can step back and process it through the calm, soothing act of coloring. Who doesn't want that in their self-care?
The topics brought up in this workbook are all very inclusive and diverse, allowing for multiple perspectives to have access to the guidance that they need in their journey. They discuss the need for community, be that friends, loved ones, or chosen family. There's discussion on how people can interact with society and the expectations put forth by their gender, and the fact that sometimes those don't jive with your personal feelings, and that's okay. Overall there's a great emphasis on how each person should live their own individual journey with gender, and that there's no one right way to express yourself.
I'm going to buy myself a copy of this workbook when it comes out, and I'll likely end up buying copies for friends, too. I've already recommended it to friends, too! It's just so cute and fun and genuine. A great tool that everyone should have in their self-care arsenal.
October 28, 2020
I am so grateful to Jessica Kingsley Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read an ARC of
The Trans Self-Care Workbook: A Coloring Book and Journal for Trans and Non-Binary People
!
This workbook was fantastic! The journal prompts were introspective and I loved that later sections would ask the reader to refer back to their earlier prompt answers. Chapters covered gender identity, self-worth, community, and movement involvement. While I don't think that this is the right workbook for those looking to figure out their own identities with an in-depth exploration of labels, the self-acceptance exercises are helpful to all. Also, many of the affirmations were validating, but a few were worded negatively, not affirmatively, which I try to stay away from, personally. Lastly, Lorenz included personal intro and concluding notes that nicely tied up the candidness of the entire workbook. Very well done, and the illustrations, too.
I think this is a great choice to gift to a friend who is newly coming out as trans/non-binary.
This workbook was fantastic! The journal prompts were introspective and I loved that later sections would ask the reader to refer back to their earlier prompt answers. Chapters covered gender identity, self-worth, community, and movement involvement. While I don't think that this is the right workbook for those looking to figure out their own identities with an in-depth exploration of labels, the self-acceptance exercises are helpful to all. Also, many of the affirmations were validating, but a few were worded negatively, not affirmatively, which I try to stay away from, personally. Lastly, Lorenz included personal intro and concluding notes that nicely tied up the candidness of the entire workbook. Very well done, and the illustrations, too.
I think this is a great choice to gift to a friend who is newly coming out as trans/non-binary.
September 17, 2020
This book is amazing! I love each of the coloring pages - they have great messages, make me smile and itch for my colored pencils, and feature racial diversity, gender diversity, and many types of disability. The affirmations and journal prompts are thoughtful and meaningful and really had me digging deep. I haven't yet done all of the journal entries as I haven't had enough time to devote to them yet, but I have been writing the affirmations and thinking about the journal prompts and that has helped me feel so much more present and centered.
Another great thing about this workbook is how inclusive and welcoming it is. I am nonbinary and have always shied away from calling myself trans, but the messaging of 'trans enough' and featuring of trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer identities really helped me feel seen and helped me feel much more comfortable with myself and my identity. I will for sure be buying a print copy for myself as a visual reminder to go back to the affirmations and exercises occasionally. I also recommended it to my therapist today.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for providing an e-arc to review
Another great thing about this workbook is how inclusive and welcoming it is. I am nonbinary and have always shied away from calling myself trans, but the messaging of 'trans enough' and featuring of trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer identities really helped me feel seen and helped me feel much more comfortable with myself and my identity. I will for sure be buying a print copy for myself as a visual reminder to go back to the affirmations and exercises occasionally. I also recommended it to my therapist today.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for providing an e-arc to review
September 21, 2020
Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review.
WARNINGS: Mentions of abuse, suicide and cyberbullying
This book made me cry happy tears when I read this. This book really helps acknowledge Transness and definitely lets the person feel good about themselves. A book that is full of questions, colouring and affirmations is a book that many people need, especially trans people. It is a book that also teaches terms and ways to accept yourself. Overall, this was fantastic.
The only issue I have is that trans people who aren't out yet to the people they live with can't have this book without risking outing themselves.
Rating: 5⭐
Would I Read It Again? Yes
Would I Recommend it? Yes
WARNINGS: Mentions of abuse, suicide and cyberbullying
This book made me cry happy tears when I read this. This book really helps acknowledge Transness and definitely lets the person feel good about themselves. A book that is full of questions, colouring and affirmations is a book that many people need, especially trans people. It is a book that also teaches terms and ways to accept yourself. Overall, this was fantastic.
The only issue I have is that trans people who aren't out yet to the people they live with can't have this book without risking outing themselves.
Rating: 5⭐
Would I Read It Again? Yes
Would I Recommend it? Yes
October 20, 2020
I’m so glad I came across this self-care workbook. I’ve recently discovered the how important positive affirmation is. This workbook was full of positive affirmation in such a calming way. This could be especially important for trans and non-binary people who are discovering who they are or are starting their transition. This workbook is just so wholesome and amazing. Theo Lorenz created something so important that could help so many people. I will be getting a print copy and I can’t wait to see what else Theo creates.
December 28, 2025
Fun, engaging and meaningful, The Trans Self Care Workbook is an incredible work book for any trans, non-binary or gender questioning person at any stage of their transition. The book includes trans-related colouring pages, reflective questions that prompt you to explore your identity, gender and mental health, writing on each topic explored, drawing activities and written affirmations.
The book has nine chapters, Who I am, self worth, body image, coming out, my community, being out in the world, gender euphoria, when the going gets tough, and social movements.
The book has nine chapters, Who I am, self worth, body image, coming out, my community, being out in the world, gender euphoria, when the going gets tough, and social movements.
November 4, 2020
Thank you NetGalley for a review copy.
I will be buying a finished version of this workbook as soon as I can. This is wonderful and very insightful to help any trans or non-binary person learn to love themselves and find out more about themselves. It's a book I would give a trans youth who is in need of help to learn and grow as a person. Very highly recommend.
I will be buying a finished version of this workbook as soon as I can. This is wonderful and very insightful to help any trans or non-binary person learn to love themselves and find out more about themselves. It's a book I would give a trans youth who is in need of help to learn and grow as a person. Very highly recommend.
May 1, 2022
I checked this book out from the library, so I couldn't color inside of it.
I want to purchase a copy to keep on hand. It feels like a good tool for friends who are starting out on their gender journey. I really enjoyed this.
I want to purchase a copy to keep on hand. It feels like a good tool for friends who are starting out on their gender journey. I really enjoyed this.
December 4, 2020
Amazing. Hard, but worth it. <3
December 6, 2022
Loved this, helped me so much, directed towards teens and young adults, I think, but kids can also enjoy and understand it
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews