My Body, My Home: A Radical Guide to Resilience and Belonging

by Victoria Emanuela, Caitlin Metz

My Body, My Home is an interactive guide to belonging. It is a path to self-acceptance, resilience, and healing the disconnect between body and mind. This book is for those who have left their bodies - those who needed to escape from their physical form in one way or another - either due to trauma or simply as a result of the constant onslaught of unhealthy messages regarding body image. It is a gentle reminder of why one belongs and a guide to connecting to oneself. With a variety of soothing meditations and prompts for reflection, this workbook focuses on the relationship between readers and their body. How have they left themselves? What does it mean to feel grounded and safe? To whom, what, and where do they belong? As readers reflect on their answers to these questions, they are encouraged to write in the margins, draw what they feel, and engage with their inner child, their lineage, and their shadow self.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Mental Health, Feminism, Graphic Novels, Spirituality, Psychology

Paperback

Published October 1, 2020

Reviews

[Tamara Atanasoska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pre-ordered this tiny magic (work) book as soon as it was available, many months ago. Tonight it was finally the right time to go through it. I will have to come back to actually respond to the prompts, but I thoroughly enjoyed the first read.

Ever since I read Audre Lorde’s essay where she states: “The white fathers told us: I think, therefore I am. The black goddess within each of us - the poet - whispers in our dreams: I feel, therefore I can be free.” - I have been trying to grasp what she meant. In my tendencies to over-intellectualise my feelings and find a hard, inflexible rational box for them, I’ve been trying to find ways to push back on what I’ve been told I must do. In relation to this, I love the authors’ work that endlessly indulges in feelings. We are invited to take every one of them seriously, to take US very seriously. The way the approach this is so soft and tender, and unlike many similar writings it feels like it’s coming from somewhere closer. Instead of a medical, examining or preaching distance, there is the feeling that we are being held by a trusted person or ideally, even a part of ourselves that finally has the stage.

I am very biased when it comes to this review as I’ve been following the work of the authors for years now. “On being in your body” is a wonderful project, and it’s been significant for me when it comes to reflection and self-acceptance. To me the book reads as a home, a base that holds a big part of their work. It will be a warm presence on my desk to remind me that there is someone out there holding this space for all of us.

[Frede Brauwers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book in one night. It was captivating and had some interesting questions to ask yourself. I’ll definitely come back to this book and answer some of these questions in my journaling prompts.

I loved the illustrations, the font that looked handwritten, and the fact that almost every page had a powerful message that could perfectly be used as a (motivational) quote.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not recommend enough for anyone who feels lost in the world.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sweetest, loveliest piece of body medicine anyone could ever want.

100% not my type of reading but I have followed Caitlin for ages on Insta now (from my tarot account natch) and all the tenderness and vulnerability in this book is there in their stream everyday.

[Taniya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing piece of art - a must read for all women!

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful!

[Russell Bittner · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s frankly impossible for me to say what force moved Victoria Emanuela to write this book, but that absence of understanding doesn’t make the book any less moving. I can honestly say that this is the most poetic book I’ve ever read about self-actualization – even if the entire book doesn’t include a single line of formal verse.

Let us instead look at a passage on p. 92 and let that inform you better than anything I could possible write here: “All that we are is a remarkable collection of every child and adolescent we once were and continue to embody. Helping your inner child heal is an essential part of restoring your relationship to your self, and helps rebuild a foundation of self-compassion and trust.”

I’m sorry I don’t have any of the wounds this book purports to heal. That face certainly renders it less remedial, though no less enjoyable.

RRB
Hudson, NY
12 December 2020

[Avery Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the tiniest (seriously tiny like less than an hour read) but most tender and warming little read ever

I found it in a coffee shop and I’m not even sure why I got it but it just kinda stuck out to me & I’m so happy that I did because I feel like I’ll keep it easily accessible to reference every now and then. The least tacky “self help” book ever like some can be. I took pictures of a bunch of pages that made me feel reassured and open and warm and grounded and all of the sweet things. Pls grab if you’re in need of some grounding affirmation 🤎

Edit—really only included on my read list because maybe this will make someone intrigued and read it and then also feel even a little more reassured about the human experience like I did

[Sara Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There isn't anything in this book that surprised me, but the hand-drawn, inclusive illustrations and hand-written words really spoke to me. The journal prompts are introspective, and some of the affirmations/mantras I can see being really supportive in this journey. Overall, I feel like this is a book to continue to come back to, maybe even open randomly for spontaneous support, and allow it to help me continue to move towards loving my body in whatever shape it takes.

[An · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the most beautiful love declaration to ourselves, to our bodies, to each other, to life. Reading it felt like one big sigh of relief, sinking more deeply into its tenderness and holding love. It's one to come back to in times of challenge and self-doubt, for those moments where life feels hard or uncaring. I'm grateful for the nurturing container the authors have created. So much love ❤️

[Kira Browett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book might just be perfect. It's trauma-informed, it has beautiful, inclusive illustrations and words, and provides a lovely balance of challenging unhelpful thoughts and holding space for existing beliefs. I especially love the vocabularies provided and the prompts to encourage healing and spend more time in your body. I will be putting this in my therapy office for clients to flip through and to reference for education!

[jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me so long to read this because there was just so much to sit with and process and journal about. I finally decided to just finish it up this morning but I think I’ll be coming back to parts of this book over and over as a practice of self keeping ♥️ Victoria and Caitlin are just so wonderful.

[little free lib-rei-ry (•̀ᴗ•́)و ̑̑ · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful little resource to help you unlearn harmful ways of thinking, doing, and being. you don't realize how much healing you have yet to do until you see goals spelled out in front of you. this is definitely a good text to refer back to, as there are quite a few exercises and tips that are helpful at all stages of life, not just when healing trauma.

[Sue Pagano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book which shows us some thought provoking ways to begin the healing process. I found it comforting and hopeful; and while I believe it contains prompts that can help us at any age, I sincerely wish it had been available when I was a much younger woman. We will not dwell on how long ago that was, but do treat yourself-it’s a gem.

[Elizabeth Pinborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much healing wisdom in these pages. I feel like my brain just had a healing bath. I will definitely be revisiting these pages to work through some of the exercises and just rest and luxuriate in the self love.

[Kelly D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are brave, bold, and vulnerable. The information is important but I wish they would've trusted how much work the illustrations were already doing -- too many words led to busyness on the page.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing.

Full review to come.

[Marci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This must be the most gorgeous book on embodiment ever created. I couldn’t love it more.

[Gabrielle Sorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and transformative and a book I’ll return to over and over again for the rest of my days!

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful connective guide ❤

[Anum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this brought me immense comfort; and I know I will be reaching out to read it again and again.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book is like giving yourself a tender, loving, accepting hug.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sketch journal about becoming embodied. The form beautifully supports the message.

[Taylor Damann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than therapy. This is simultaneously meditation and hard work for the reader. An absolute must read.

[Salomée Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing tool for self care. Will probably keep it in my bag all the time. Gem 💜

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated and tenderly written gift.

[Gabrielle McKeever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this.

[Callie Ferring · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet and it’s a quick read. I cried almost the whole second half. 🥲 Each page is beautifully illustrated and the text looks like it’s hand written by the illustrator as well.

[Michelle McLean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something to dip in and out of, and return to. Much of the content would be useful for journalling prompts and meditation.

[Gabriela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a gorgeous book about coming home to your body. Can easily be read in a sitting