Girlosophy: A Soul Survival Kit

by Anthea Paul

“Girlosophy” is a new way of thinking about life that captures the spirit of being a woman in the 21st century. This book is a blueprint for young women seeking to find their own individual truth. It explains all a person needs to know to become a “girlosopher”: an open heart and an open mind, a direct and honest approach, the courage to fail, and an understanding of the spirit within. Yoga, meditation, and karma are all noted as essential to re-centering one’s mind and giving young women a spiritual base from which to work. This new philosophy for girls is designed to help them take charge of their destiny and achieve their full potential. Illustrated with vivid photographs of real girls from all over the world, this book provides concise, useful advice about how young women can embrace their physical health, intellectual and emotional balance, individuality, and natural beauty.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography, Self Help, Spirituality, Psychology, Feminism, Teen

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

About the author

Anthea Paul has worked internationally as a stylist, trend forecaster and market consultant, photo editor, skl patroller, creative director and art director. She has produced a photo shoot at Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion, has seen the dawn of New Year's Day at Stonehenge, dressed (and undressed) Kate Moss and other supermodels backstage at fashion shows, has channeled the vibrations in Sedona, Arizona, once traveled Route 66 from NYC to LA and back in a U-Haul truck, glimpsed Jah in Negril, Jamaica, has skied back-to-back winters in search of the ultimate powder snow, and lived in New York through the nineties -- and survived. Anthea is the author of the bestselling girlosophy: A Soul Survival Kit and girlosophy 2: A Love Survival Kit, and is CEO of girlosophy pty limited and www.girlosophy.com.

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gorgeous photography, compelling design, and most of the writing is uplifting. Girlosophy really is better than the majority of available inspirational and advice books for teens. Anthea Paul should, however, consider that the line she draws between guidance and outright dictation is sometimes fine. 'Don't wear bright nail polish'? How do specific instructions on apparel and accessories follow the oft-repeated within advice to be true to one's self and make firm and passionate decisions?

[Greta · Rating 5 out of 5]

"One is not born a woman, one becomes one." ~Simone de Beauvoir



Finding this book, and the whole GIRLOSOPHY series was a complete accident-- which reinforces in me the belief that "accidents" absolutely do not exist! Just like the way in which my little iPod, "gret's pet" as I call it, in honor of a certain Buffalonian lady ;), always knows just what I need to hear, even when I myself don't!

In this OVERWHELMINGLY STUNNING piece-- it is as much visual art and poetry as it is practical wisdom clearly articulated-- author Anthea Paul seeks to give girls and young women the tools, confidence, and language with which to build her unique code of ethics...She says in her introduction that the visual element of the text is essential and extraordinarily fresh [in the world of traditional self-help books:], and she believes in that this element lends her words added power because the emphasis on color and image "reflect(s) the truth that each one of us perceives the world uniquely..." (xii)

Teenage girls, and all of us girls, will appreciate and run with what Paul gives us in this small but bursting-with-beauty book... "The idea, " she writes,"is to enable those who read the book to design their own code of ethics and behavior, rather than to operate within some imposed rigid structure...I believe that as early as possible women need to develop a personal code of behavior and ethics by which to live. It is critical to develop personal rules and boundaries...We can go with our hearts and take great leaps of faith into the unknown on a more sustained basis if we know a solid platform is in place..." (xiii)

I won't write much more here other than that I'm am recommending this book to and buying it for so many women and girls in my life...And I know that it is something to which I myself will come back to again and again as I encounter new joys, new challenges, new questions...And I know I will find in its pages inspiration in the shape of colors, of words, of smiles, of fierce and open hearts...

[Diane Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my students brought this in for me to read. I read it quickly but I feel this would be a book that needs to be read slowly and careful thought given to what it says. I feel it has a lot of good advice for young women. I was told this author has many other books written for young women.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

In an ideal world, every young women would be given this book by a beloved older female relative. That's just a fantasy of mine. But this book has wonderful pictures and inspirational messages that are at once down to earth and uplifting... no sappiness!

[Teenage Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is the hardest thing in the world? For me, it’s a no brainier. Being a girl. Yes, in this society, being a girl trying to grow up and be able to stand on her own two feet is almost impossible at some points. With the picture of what a “perfect” teenage girl should look like, every girl tries (and fails) to achieve that look. This book, for me, was a life savor. It truly made me open up into a more confident, self-aware person that I am today. And you too can, all you have to do is flip this book open.

It is not a self-help book. It does not tell you how to live your life, or that you are currently living it wrong. This book is more about opening yourself up for some self-love, confinement and to get rid of negative thoughts. It encourages things like yoga, praying, thinking positively, and letting go of bad past experiences. With breath-taking photographs, it is full of pictures of women around the world, who are true and not Photoshop. In the back it even gives a little bio about them and it gives us their name. It gives you helpful hints, like how to stay healthy, a relationship is not give and take but give and give, and that it is your choice to be happy. This book age range is between four and seventeen, but I believe it is a book for all the female in the world, who want to get back to nature and in touch with their spiritual side.

Anthea Paul is a goddess of the spirit world. Not only did she fill a 319 page book with amazing pictures, but words and actions of encouragement for girls everywhere to embraces being a girl. This book made me feel beautiful, confident, and more flexible because of the yoga. Honestly this book deserves nothing lower that five stars out of five stars. I read this book every summer for the past three years, and each year I feel closer and more complete with the universe. A truly amazing book that every girl should read. For truly our gender is already beautiful, so who don’t we work with confidants.

[Sunny Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a book for girls(obviously) and it isn't one you read and never again read. It has inspirational quotes, and sayings, and great cultural, and ethnical things in it. The photograohy in it is beautiful. I just love it because it is different, telling you new and inspirational things about life, for young women. It makes you feel good after you read a few page at a time every now and then lol :]]

[Princess Jamaima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought It was a great guide book for any female go any age. This book made me want to improve myself to be better and not for anyone but myself.

[Logicalrunner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every girls' and moms' of those girls' read

[Tracy Denfeld · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked up this book by accident at a hostel. Oh boy! I was beyond horrified that this book is peddled to teenage girls, who at are an incredibly vulnerable stage in life & need not hear more “advice” telling them to join the gym and stop eating junk food. Paul even has the audacity to compare female sexuality to a convenience store:

“Just because you look like a one-stop-shop, it doesn’t mean you are a 7-11, open at anyone’s convenience. Be discerning. Check them out fully before you even allow them to browse. Are they really a buyer or will they waste your time “just looking”?

This book should be removed from shelves. Paul isn’t a writer, just a pandering idiot with a nice camera, spewing platitudes that she considers meaningless but money-making without considering the very real, negative impact she could have on young lives.

[Sophia H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book! Some people have made good points that it has some contradicting opinions, like saying to be true to yourself but also don’t wear bright nail polish. I do agree, but the book has a lot of good things too which i enjoyed. It has some beautiful photography and a real positive energy, teaching you how to live a balanced life in all aspects— physically, emotionally, spiritually and more. I think like any ‘self help’ or ‘life guide’ book, you should approach it critically because it might not work for everyone but I personally found a lot of guidance and positive inspiration from the book! I would recommend giving it a read if you are a young girl (or old women) that wants to work on your true authentic self and find some direction in life.

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A handbook of inspirational quotes and guidance for young women. A few quotes I liked: "Today is the tomorrow you were dreaming of yesterday." "In taking no risks you are really risking everything."

I agree with some of the other reviews I've read on here, the tone of the book is sometimes dictating rather than guiding. It also reads like a wish list of what you must do which for many is unachievable. I would have preferred more exercises to accompany the book and put into practice some of the books aspirations.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young women need this back on shelves today, I read this in 2001 the year my older brother passed away, and I read her other texts and as a mother now (with daughters) I look for books like Anthea's that I could gift my growing girls and there is nothing even comparable. Anthea Paul we need you to bring back to life the Girlosophy series

[Sienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Inspirational notes and messages to take from the book. It gave me insights and I love the spiritual parts within the book which I plan to take into the new year. It made me reflect on being a young women and how I love it. Lots of lessons learned and plan to look back into it when I need to.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I would have had this book when I was a teen. Beautiful design/photography and practical/spiritual advice that would have been so helpful. This book is definitely on my list of favorites.

[Kerri Lukasavitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this book is meant for a pre- and teenage audience - to offer them inspiration and wisdom as they mature - but I also found the book encouraging even though I was an adult. The photos' images are spectacular, while the prose is practical and thought-provoking. I wished I'd had the book when I was in high school. Anthea Paul's words would have given me more reassurance (and courage) as a young woman during that often difficult rite-of-life passage in time. A recommended read.

[Dian Jamil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across this book as a teen & as teens go I was young and impressionable. This book as many books you read at that age, shaped my mind as a young woman. This book is basically a girl-power guidebook embellished with beautiful photos and inspiring words. Not the most ground-breaking information in its contents but can be eye-opening for teenage girls or a young woman at that time the book was published. It is a leisurely read & feels like a treasure for a young girl. I cherish this beautiful book and have kept them with me for my daughters to read.

[Lala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. Inspirational, colorful and never dull. It contains encouraging words and quotes in bite sized and always aims to keep your eyes to the book.

Beautiful pictures, poignant mantras and helpful tips for the young girls to the grown ups. What's to hate? It's true, the pictures are beautiful and well taken! :)

[k8beeZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is soooo beautiful! The pictures and the text, it's absolutely soothing to the soul. I recommendend it for young and old alike! This book is especially good if you have teenage daughts or teach young women! Pick up the book and check out the photography and the uplifting text...it's a buoy for anyday!

[Lynn Pribus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book. Each of my granddaughters gets it for her 14th birthday. Beautiful pictures of girls of all races in all sorts of situations -- love, truth, inner beauty,being alone. Inspiring thoughts in short takes. Wish it had been around when I was 14...

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that's all platitudes and clichés, karma and chakras, and acrostic poems ad nauseam. But it certainly appeals to the idealism of the young. I'm giving an extra star for the beautiful photography and layout.

[Sian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book quite possibly saved my sanity.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

very insirational

[Siswani · Rating 4 out of 5]

membaca buku ini memberikan wawasan keperempuanan yang idealnya selalu menjadi yang terbaik. sangat inspiratif dan memberikan wacana baru tentang definisi cantik yang lebih natural. loved it!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

its just that, a girls soul survival kit.

[Polina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great colourful inspiring book all about spirit and nurturing your inner Goddess. Beautifully compiled with many colours, photos, bold and exciting letters, a real pleasure to read.

[Yasmina · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good flick through book filled with wisdom and pretty pictures.

[Alexandra Caulkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books to motivate women! I loved it! It was very powerful in yet a calming way.

[Courtney Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book. I got it when I was 12 years old for Christmas and found it endlessly inspiring. At 23, I still flick through it's pages when I need cheering up and get back to my inner child.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiering!

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

very cute book