Note to Self: The Secrets of Calm

by Rebekah Ballagh

This book is jam-packed with handy tips, bite-sized wisdoms & thoughtful illustrations to help you navigate through feelings like anxiety, stress, worry, guilt & sadness. Within these pages you will find practical tools & insights to help you tackle your day-to-day tricky emotions.

Genres: Self Help, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Psychology

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2020

About the author

Rebekah Ballagh is a talented illustrator as well as being a passionate and dynamic mental health counsellor. She created the hugely popular Instagram community Journey to Wellness as a platform for wellbeing, mental health advocacy and self-care. Join her @journey_to_wellness_.

Reviews

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is this full of great affirmations and grounding advice, it is just SO cute!

[Michele Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely affirmations and illustrations I’ll go back to!

[Kayla Henson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came at a perfect time for me. It is full of wisdom, inspiration, and mantras to boost your self confidence and shows a more positive view on life.
My depression makes it really easy for me to see only negative, especially with the state of the world right now. And this book has been such an amazing bright light in my life. I recommend this for anyone having a tough time finding the good in life. This is full of so much good.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You, my dear, are a wildflower. You are a wish upon a dandelion. You are the golden haze of sunlight that kisses the tree tops goodnight. You are a miracle.”
My nana gifted me this book for my birthday and I absolutely loved it. It gave me a new perspective on anxiety that I’d never considered before. I read this in one sitting and plan to go back for the advice when I need it. 22/05/2021

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

The mantra you never knew you needed.

This book makes such excellent points: Emotions are just messengers. Why do we categorise them into 'good' and 'bad' and feel the need to feel a certain way while suppressing others, instead of just letting ourselves feel it all?

I enjoyed this fun guide about mindfulness, staying grounded, navigating less pleasant emotions and being kinder to ourselves. Although the content could have been more in-depth, it covers the basics and shares useful tips and easy techniques that are easy to apply in everyday life. I also appreciate the diversity and representation in the illustrations.

An uplifting, beneficial and engaging read overall.

[Kay Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple illustrations, simple catch phrases. Reminder to breathe could be helpful I guess. Same with counting games or re-focus exercises for managing panic attacks. Some people have liked this.

I found it patronising, unlikely to help people with managing reasons for anxiety, and sprinkled with phrases and sentiments that make me nauseous.

"You Are Loved".

Really? Who by? Do they know me? Are they willing to help? Fatuous simplicities don't make people who are isolated or needing help feel any better, especially if the statement isn't real.

[Jesse Prasad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Such encouraging and uplifting messages. It gave you really easy and practical solutions to reducing negative emotions and being your happiest self. Learnt a lot of simple messages and didn’t feel overwhelmed with information or things to try and do. Has the cutest messages and affirmations. You will definitely feel happier just by opening this book

[Hayley Bosbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

I loved loved loved the illustrations, but for me personally it wasn’t anything groundbreaking. I’ve heard most of the tips and tricks in here, although I did like the different variations of breathing techniques.

For someone who has never been in counselling, or someone in their early teens though I’d say this would be an amazing read!

[aqilahreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bite-sized book with tips, wisdoms & thoughtful illustrations. i really enjoyed reading this one!!! maybe its just me, that i wasnt able to connect much. but really grateful of the message though and what was being shared - on how to manage anxiety and stress.

[Michelle O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book after following the author on Instagram. I read it after I had an anxiety attack. It is simple with sweet pictures and very simple and easy to follow especially when a person is feeling anxious and just needs a few simple and straight to the point ideas.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book is a great little reminder to be kind to yourself. I love the positive matras and ways to help combat anxiety.

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book with some guided breathing exercises and tips to assist when anxiety is getting the better of you.

[Nina Utami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book! 💙💙💙

[Melissa Riley]

Not sure how to rate this. Lots of nice affirmations and illustrations.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

V nice lil book w nice pictures

[Julia Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Beautifully done.
A must for every school library.

[Tanya Crompton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the comments and pics
I also enjoyed some of the suggestions and have decided I’m going to have my own worry jar
Really enjoyable

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful with my anxiety

[Melita Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous little tips and cute cartoons about how to take care of you!

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book to have on hand to remind yourself to be kind to yourself.

[Bathsheba Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated. Meme format. Usual stuff of eat, sleep, breathe.

[Scarlet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read with some helpful tips centred around breathing.

[Nathan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing resource!! Very easy to read, with great tips and awesome images to engage with.

[Nadine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but doesn’t say anything new.

[Esha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read 2022: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt like more of a book for teenagers who are learning about self-care. I thought it was pretty and I appreciated the tips but they weren’t anything I haven’t heard before.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my go to everyday book I love it ❤️

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wee book is brilliant and I recommend it to everyone. I especially liked the hot chocolate breath idea - I've always struggled with breathing exercises in the past! 5 solid stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sasha Khoh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the illustration and the messages of this book.