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You Are Here (For Now): A Guide to Finding Your Way
"An honest and #relatable exploration of figuring out where you're headed --and finding a way to feel OK in the meantime"--
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2021
132 people are currently reading
1898 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
January 16, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! while it wasn't groundbreaking in any way, and some parts didn't resonate with me as much as I'd hoped for, I still find this book really decent and heartwarming!! a lot of the things in this book are gentle reminders that people (me included) often forget in the midst of alllll the frenzy life constantly throws at you, so it's nice to have little reminders such as this. it's super easy to read as well so I would recommend this for people who needs a cozy little pick-me-up!
November 10, 2021
Adam J. Kurtz’s signature pencilled aphorisms and poignant folded paper illustrations are peppered throughout this succinct, vulnerable book. I’ll admit that I even felt self-conscious buying this, because doing so was an admission that I myself have been needing guidance, self-compassion, and some radical honesty.
Being raised in a particular kind of Southern Chinese household, my family’s modus operandi was to 吃苦, which means to swallow our bitterness. Expressing envy, doubt, and fear, especially with regards to one’s ambitions or hopes, was a no-go zone.
Reading Kurtz’s friendly, assuring tome reminded me that we often have to take matters into our own hands when everything is falling apart. And not in a “happiness is (always) a choice” kind of way, but more like “find the little time you can to ask yourself if the way you’re living is still working for you or if it’s a whole load of emotional baggage.”
I loved this little, elegant book. It does a lot within its pages. Kurtz has spoken about how often people underestimate his work because of how deceptively simple it may look to some. But it’s the bravery, finesse and graphic purity of his work that makes it a winning antidote to life’s sorrows.
Being raised in a particular kind of Southern Chinese household, my family’s modus operandi was to 吃苦, which means to swallow our bitterness. Expressing envy, doubt, and fear, especially with regards to one’s ambitions or hopes, was a no-go zone.
Reading Kurtz’s friendly, assuring tome reminded me that we often have to take matters into our own hands when everything is falling apart. And not in a “happiness is (always) a choice” kind of way, but more like “find the little time you can to ask yourself if the way you’re living is still working for you or if it’s a whole load of emotional baggage.”
I loved this little, elegant book. It does a lot within its pages. Kurtz has spoken about how often people underestimate his work because of how deceptively simple it may look to some. But it’s the bravery, finesse and graphic purity of his work that makes it a winning antidote to life’s sorrows.
October 16, 2021
[I received this book as a gift from the publisher with no expectation that I leave a review. They simply requested that I post a photo of the book to social media.]
I LOVED this book. You Are Here (for Now) is a self-help book for people who don't like self-help books.
Going in, I figured I would read the book and think "I wish I would have had this book when I was 20 or 25." While I do agree that it would have helped me out a lot as a 20-something, I was caught off guard by how much the book hit home for me at 40. I even found myself tearing up in the sections about creativity, failure, and competition. These are chapters I know I will return to again and again, just like I periodically reread Bird by Bird and Steal Like an Artist.
Adam blends just the right amount of snark into his calls for persistence and hope. In doing so, his advice is all the more believable. I've been meaning to buy one of his books for awhile. Reading YAHFN has inspired me to go buy one of his other books right now, before I get distracted and forget again.
I LOVED this book. You Are Here (for Now) is a self-help book for people who don't like self-help books.
Going in, I figured I would read the book and think "I wish I would have had this book when I was 20 or 25." While I do agree that it would have helped me out a lot as a 20-something, I was caught off guard by how much the book hit home for me at 40. I even found myself tearing up in the sections about creativity, failure, and competition. These are chapters I know I will return to again and again, just like I periodically reread Bird by Bird and Steal Like an Artist.
Adam blends just the right amount of snark into his calls for persistence and hope. In doing so, his advice is all the more believable. I've been meaning to buy one of his books for awhile. Reading YAHFN has inspired me to go buy one of his other books right now, before I get distracted and forget again.
May 16, 2022
Just what I needed. A hug in the form of words.
I think this is perfect for people who want to start reading non fiction books. It didn’t feel like someone was bossing you around… telling you how to live your life.
It felt like a friend who knows all the right words to say.
I think this is perfect for people who want to start reading non fiction books. It didn’t feel like someone was bossing you around… telling you how to live your life.
It felt like a friend who knows all the right words to say.
February 22, 2023
Really lovely for what it is. With self help books and inspirational books, I think it’s best to go in hoping to learn just two or three things that change your perspective or help you grow in some way, and this book did do that for me. I read it over the course of almost two months and I think that’s a reasonable pace to let yourself think it over as you go. Would really recommend for those late 20s thru mid 30s.
December 31, 2024
A simple, easily digestible book that encourages self-acceptance and discovery. This would make a great gift for a young adult who is just leaving home, but it's not limited to that age group — readers young and old will likely find at least one gem of wisdom as a reminder or inspiration. While there's nothing necessarily new here, Kurtz offers a fresh voice and style, along with the authenticity that can only come from having navigated mental health struggles himself. 3.75 stars rounded up.
September 19, 2022
loved it. will 100% read it again. kept it on my nightstand and it’s perfect for picking up for a few pages at a time. I also really appreciated the honesty re: suicide at the end. an artistic and poetic and honest self help book that won’t make you feel like shit or shove annoying inspirational quotes down your throat lol
October 9, 2022
This book made me smile and chuckle throughout. A sweet lil book that’s there to serve as a reminder: we’re here* so we might as well make the most of it.
*for now.
Some generic phrases? Maybe. But I think overall it all tied together and complimented the narrative.
I also appreciate that the author did not have a holier-than-thou approach; it felt like a friend was giving me advice 😊
*for now.
Some generic phrases? Maybe. But I think overall it all tied together and complimented the narrative.
I also appreciate that the author did not have a holier-than-thou approach; it felt like a friend was giving me advice 😊
December 17, 2023
Really enjoyed this book. I have read a lot of self-help books that only ever sounded condescending and prescriptive, but this book is such a breath of fresh air. I love how his pieces of advice had just the right amount of ambiguity in them, which means it resonates with so many people regardless of the circumstances they are dealing with.
Definitely sparked a fire within me, and really inspired me to be more intentional and proactive with how I live my life and all that it throws my way as someone who is in her early twenties. Thank you, Adam. For reminding me of my pencil-ness.
Definitely sparked a fire within me, and really inspired me to be more intentional and proactive with how I live my life and all that it throws my way as someone who is in her early twenties. Thank you, Adam. For reminding me of my pencil-ness.
January 13, 2022
Love this book, will re-read in the future.
August 23, 2024
I grabbed this book because I opened it to read “Believe in yourself the way you believe in the people you love” and it was somehow exactly what I needed to hear. I read it all in two days because the way this author writes feels like it was written for you, as if it were a letter with lessons of his life that he wanted you to have. I loved it. It was also just exactly what I needed.
January 20, 2025
This book is a friend I haven’t seen in a long time but can always come back to whenever I need. Kurtz writes my thoughts and I don’t know how. Tone is perfection- honest, funny, dark. The art is beautiful and thought-provoking. A stunning mixed media. A lovely, hopeful creative work
February 5, 2022
Just finished YOU ARE HERE *FOR NOW by Adam J. Kurtz and I feel so seen, comforted, and pointed in an actionable direction. I really needed a safe, soft, yet strong voice to tell me What To Do With This Life, and I found it. Could I BE more midlife crisis than admitting that I loved (4 ⭐️s) an aspirational/inspirational self-help book? Well, who cares? I needed this book and it found me. This book forgives you, it even maybe loves you, it gives you grace for your pace and meandering, but it also near its end states plainly: “There is nobody coming to fix your life for you. … This is the sign you’ve been waiting for. … It’s time to start” (242). Reading it back now, I guess it might sound vague and unaimed arrow, like a horoscope or a Chinese zodiac profile, or even a fortune cookie, but any who have wandered know how good it feels to see a sign when you’re wanting one.
July 14, 2022
Absolutely loved this. Not a self help book really, at least not the way all other self books I've read are. It's more like a mentor or loved one passing on lessons learned or themes noticed in life. I highly recommend to young adults and anyone worried about their circumstances in life.
February 23, 2024
this book gave me some honest smiles
November 6, 2021
This lovely book is filled with comforting, kind, wise words.
March 28, 2023
It was a quick read. Self helpy. I found parts helpful and interesting and others not applicable and more geared towards people with serious mental health concerns but overall nice anecdotes and some impactful quotes.
October 27, 2021
Modern, necessary affirmations as told to you by your witty, self-realized bff who also has high functioning anxiety.
March 21, 2022
This book is really beautiful. The words were like medicine for me, living in a tough time personally and collectively. I see myself coming back to it often for wisdom and gems of insight, and will keep it in mind as a gift to anyone else who may need a pick-me-up.
April 4, 2023
Sometimes you just need a small pick me up
June 20, 2022
I’ve always loved Adam’s artistic voice when I’ve seen him around on the internet, and I loved being able to spend a little longer with it here.
In fact, the only time failure is truly final is if you don’t use what you’ve learned through the experience to try again.
This book is gentle and reassuring, its tone honest and open. Adam does his best to give us help in the chaos of the world to figure ourselves out. It actually allowed me to confront some things I’ve ignored for a while, by giving me space to accept them as part of me. Mainly some elements of my past and the feeling of not wanting to Be Here (which is also, thankfully, mostly a part of my past).
The lessons about how dreams can change have been hitting particularly hard. I’ve been constantly scraping my way along a set path I chose for myself at a young age, but only now have stopped to wonder what else is out there. If the path isn’t as linear as I once thought, and I don’t need to race to an ending I’m probably building up in my head. Reading this short and sweet book helped emphasize that feeling in a way I appreciated.
It’s really well done. Are the lessons some we’ve heard before? Yes, but as with any teachings, it only sticks if we hear it enough times. And being able to look at, in bold letters, YOU DESERVE TO BE HERE AS MUCH AS ANYONE ELSE was profound to me. I suffer a lot from rejection sensitivity and beat myself up to the point of thinking I don’t deserve it (it being a career, a chance, a life, etc)… when I do. We all deserve to enjoy and hold onto as much of our lives as we can.
In fact, the only time failure is truly final is if you don’t use what you’ve learned through the experience to try again.
This book is gentle and reassuring, its tone honest and open. Adam does his best to give us help in the chaos of the world to figure ourselves out. It actually allowed me to confront some things I’ve ignored for a while, by giving me space to accept them as part of me. Mainly some elements of my past and the feeling of not wanting to Be Here (which is also, thankfully, mostly a part of my past).
The lessons about how dreams can change have been hitting particularly hard. I’ve been constantly scraping my way along a set path I chose for myself at a young age, but only now have stopped to wonder what else is out there. If the path isn’t as linear as I once thought, and I don’t need to race to an ending I’m probably building up in my head. Reading this short and sweet book helped emphasize that feeling in a way I appreciated.
It’s really well done. Are the lessons some we’ve heard before? Yes, but as with any teachings, it only sticks if we hear it enough times. And being able to look at, in bold letters, YOU DESERVE TO BE HERE AS MUCH AS ANYONE ELSE was profound to me. I suffer a lot from rejection sensitivity and beat myself up to the point of thinking I don’t deserve it (it being a career, a chance, a life, etc)… when I do. We all deserve to enjoy and hold onto as much of our lives as we can.
September 20, 2024
"There's a stretch of the journey that's one lane only, and so you take the same route as your mother, and your mother's mother, and there is a true comfort in feeling them with you on the way. Despite a direct path in these situations, it's still your choice to keep going. The way forward is always up to us, even when circumstance makes it feel more like fate. Only you can decide to propel yourself further, to venture out beyond the scope of where you are now and where you'd like to be next. You define the speed, you take your preferred method of transportation, and you choose the music."
This part hits harder now that I am seeing myself sticking to my current employment than my usual period of switching jobs.
When I graduated uni, I knew I wasn't the commitment type 😂 I knew I was going to try out different kind of stuff until I find what really fits for me. I'm pretty sure I've found it. I really hope so.
This part hits harder now that I am seeing myself sticking to my current employment than my usual period of switching jobs.
When I graduated uni, I knew I wasn't the commitment type 😂 I knew I was going to try out different kind of stuff until I find what really fits for me. I'm pretty sure I've found it. I really hope so.
November 7, 2021
Not for me, but okay! It seemed like a lot of generic messaging for an audience that experiences a lot of anxiety.
Low point was the chapter that dealt with suicidal ideation - Reasons to Stay Alive. It read like a list of reasons the author may have used to help themselves, but as a message for a larger audience seemed a bit flippant. It's not that the content was bad, but the format used throughout the book didn't seem sufficient here.
I enjoyed the sequence of designs on the left leaves of the book that illustrated the progression of some of the authors' points, stated on the right leaves.
Low point was the chapter that dealt with suicidal ideation - Reasons to Stay Alive. It read like a list of reasons the author may have used to help themselves, but as a message for a larger audience seemed a bit flippant. It's not that the content was bad, but the format used throughout the book didn't seem sufficient here.
I enjoyed the sequence of designs on the left leaves of the book that illustrated the progression of some of the authors' points, stated on the right leaves.
November 12, 2021
the option to pre-order this little gem popped up in a social media feed on a low-low-end-of-the-road-why-why-noone lovesme-dark day.
when it showed up the i had forgotten it was ordered.
so glad it was ordered.
it is a megaphone for that part of you that gets drowned out by doubt, depression, anxiety and the murk of the world.... a magnifying glass that shows you the wonders that are there everyday.
we may not agree on the concept of happiness (tho my own opinion is always in flux) and the idea of being IN love is a bit of a rough spot for spot for one gluing together a shattered heart....
things may suck today but it is going to be the best sucky day.
when it showed up the i had forgotten it was ordered.
so glad it was ordered.
it is a megaphone for that part of you that gets drowned out by doubt, depression, anxiety and the murk of the world.... a magnifying glass that shows you the wonders that are there everyday.
we may not agree on the concept of happiness (tho my own opinion is always in flux) and the idea of being IN love is a bit of a rough spot for spot for one gluing together a shattered heart....
things may suck today but it is going to be the best sucky day.
January 3, 2022
I’m biased. I’ve never met Adam JK but I’ve followed him on social for years and adore his work. Almost a decade ago, I ordered one of his planners for Aidan on Kickstarter and then failed to see the emails asking for a mailing address so he refunded me and sent the kindest note to such a lame contributor (me). His Instagram makes me smile and not completely give up all faith in humanity. And since I preordered, it came with stationary “toolkit.” The book is so original in how it is put together and just so very “Adam.” The content is mostly what you expect, and I mean that as a high compliment in this case.
May 17, 2023
Short and simple yet very touching. I’ll let the short quotes and the deaf explanation. I feel like I get to know him feel who is the author is I feel like I know him I love the fact that he mentions mental health. He gave Alyssa what to do when you’re overwhelmed and it’s very helpful some of it as simple as just eating carrots and enjoying the crunch little simple things like that it’s just so wholesome i love when he talked about suicide in the seriousness of it he had a list of reasons to live. It is a postive book but yet it has serious topics. I love how short it is, and how effective is a do you want to read more books from him?
July 3, 2023
just finished you are here for now... and it's such a good book! it's not just a self-care or self-improvement book. i think it really illustrates how life really is in its rawest form. the good, the bad, the ugly, the journey, the growth, the pain, the joy. when i first saw the book in art bar, i really had the urge to read it. get back to reading. all these quotes and insights, i wish to apply them in my life and keep going in this journey of growth, love, and dreams. i think it's really lovely that i found this book at a time where i feel like i am changing and adapting to what's now in front of me.
March 22, 2022
I think magic of this book is around situations you might are, and what feels you might be going through. When someone is capable to write the exact same feelings out and kind of gives permission to feel those. Just by saying it's okay to be here, for now, it affects to our brains giving feeling of relief and allowance to just be in the moment.
Joyful and humorous (but not too much) reading experience. Contained a lot of compassionate and permission to feel things you might be feeling in different phases of your life. Liked.
Joyful and humorous (but not too much) reading experience. Contained a lot of compassionate and permission to feel things you might be feeling in different phases of your life. Liked.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews