How to Do Hard Things: Actual Real Life Advice on Friends, Love, Career, Wellbeing, Mindset, and More.

by Veronica Dearly

Smart, humorous and honest life advice from Veronica Dearly, a much-loved illustrator with a unique visual brand

Life doesn’t come with a manual but this illustrated guide to navigating its ups, downs and WTFs is the next best thing.

With her trademark humor and engaging frankness, artist Veronica Dearly guides us on a visual journey into the parts of life that often leave us floundering. Taking inspiration from the popular Wheel of Life coaching tool, How to Do Hard Things explores key areas in turn, from mental health, mindset, and the dangers of overthinking to fitness and body image, career, love, spirituality, family, money, fun and friends to finding your direction, setting your own goals, and preparing for change. Veronica combines accessible guidance with uplifting pockets of inspiration and simple on-the-page activities throughout to encourage self-reflection, provide instant pick-me-ups, and help you realize that you really can do hard things.

While acknowledging that real life is never perfect, this relatable, down-to-earth book shows how it is still possible to find the positives and make it a little bit better every day.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Productivity, Personal Development, Education

144 pages, Hardcover

Published June 21, 2022

Reviews

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little book that I found helpful

[pizza boy · Rating 3 out of 5]

ספר מאוד מאוד חמוד על איך להתמודד עם כל מיני אתגרים שהחיים מביאים עלינו. הציורים מקסימים אבל הרגשתי שבסופו של דבר הספר לא לימד אותי או שינה משהו במחשבות שלי.

[R Vk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book with tips about life and stuff. Quick read and had some lighthearted advice! Like that it was from the author’s perspective. The chapters were a bit short tho.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I picked up this book at the right time. I found it while searching for another book and it was just what I needed.

Each chapter contains a lesson and an activity/exercise to engage you.

It's not a complicated book (not all books have to be to have an impact). Again, I found it at the right time in my life.

If you are struggling, or more like me, coming out of the struggle, might I suggest this book to help get you back on track?

[Bennett Clary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an easy read and really helpful. I didn’t feel like it was a self help book at all. It gave me the bare bones of how I could get things done. It gave me a different perspective on some things, too. Honestly I think it could be helpful for people who are just starting their lives (like me) or who have been doing it for a while and just need a while or a new start.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but mainly affirmations versus advice.

[uthaila ALHashmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's like a burst of inspiration and motivation all wrapped up in one! Veronica Dearly's "How to Do Hard Things" is truly a game-changer. Her practical advice and relatable stories make tackling those tough challenges in life feel not only achievable but also exciting!

In this incredible read, Veronica dives deep into the power of perseverance and self-belief. She shares powerful insights and strategies that will empower you to overcome any obstacle that comes your way. It's like having a personal cheerleader in the form of a book, cheering you on every step of the way.

I can't stress enough how much I recommend this book to anyone who's looking to conquer challenges and reach new heights. It's a treasure trove of wisdom that will leave you feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to take on the world!
If you’re around 18-25 go ahead, grab a copy of "How to Do Hard Things" by Veronica Dearly, and get ready to embark on an incredible journey of personal growth and achievement. You won't regret it!

[Amber Sewell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, this book was very cute and did offer encouragement for those who could be going through challenging things in their early adult life. I found myself chuckling quite a bit about some things the author said and the illustrations were very cute. I do think this would be a good book for a high school senior or college freshman gift welcome to adulthood type encouragement book. It’s easy to digest and offers a lot of support.

Personally, as a 25 year old who has been through much more than your average 25 year old, I didn’t relate to a lot of the book. It was very cute and very well written but it doesn’t really touch hard on any topic. Just an overall “you can do it” “I believe in you book”, which people definitely need. Just not me. The author did a great job illustrating and relating to whomever the target audience is.

[Robert Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so wanted this to be the 'O' Level that they didn't teach us at school. The one that tells you the interesting and really really useful stuff like how to chat up girls and ... that's it really! I don't know why they didn't do that.

Anyway, it wasn't.

What it was was a lass trying too hard to be funny. I guess that she was well meaning, but I found her sarcasm and double talk to be rather confusing. Don't get me wrong, there were some snippets of sound advice in there, and even some parts that I felt like photographing and sending to my friends, but on the whole it was a bit disappointing.

But anyway, I read it, I got to the end, and it was all right.

[Wellington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some self-help books subscribe to the idea of a drill Sargent ... motivation by screaming and yelling. Just do it. This self-help books goes with the warm hugs and ice cream. I wonder if the author is as fun loving, whimsical and basically a human spoonful of rainbow sprinkles?

The book is light and fluffy with lots of pages designed like the cover. Mostly I remember form this book to have internal standards and measurements.

[Kristin Bouvier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this cute little book! I listened to it and loved the narrator. No book will ever apply to everyone, so I took the parts that weren’t for me with a grain of salt.

There was one part that simply made me cry. It was a bit of a reality check and struck a nerve. On the other hand, there were plenty of laughs.

Simply put, it is a good, cute book. I think this would make a good gift for someone entering a new chapter of life.

[Nadina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished this the other day, it was cute. It was an easy read. I loved the graphics. The content was interesting and well presented. I also liked the worksheet style pages. Good easy read, but I have been reading a lot of self-help recently and this was very brief on many things. This is probably the book I should have read to get started, not the one to read after I've read a bunch.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this today. Just makes you feel less alone.

[Ulzeta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read.

[Tessalindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and helpful little book. Feels kinda silly but turns out to be quiet plausible in real life. and illustrations -> 🔥🔥

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

hehe this was fun and cute. i really enjoyed the activities & will go back to them on occasion to check how much i’ve changed & do them all again.

[Cheyenne Nyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book! such a fun and cute twist on a ‘self-help’ book!!! i loved the illustrations and the casualness of it, it made it feel really accessible and easy to read :)

[sazlianah sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is actual real-life advice, love the humor and story. Give me some more ideas to cherish this life. Well, we are not alone.

[Lucy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't learn much. The illustrations were good. This could be a good article instead of a book.

[Andrea Houle · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seems all these self help books have the exact same advice in it. I was hoping this one might be different because it came recommended from several people but it wasn't. The only reason it wasn't a 1 star is because I like the light hearted layout of it I felt like that added a little extra to the same old same.

[Iconic Greatness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick short read with some basic advice on living a better happier life.


Some Useful tips from the book
Comparison is a thief of all Joy

Judgment is something we often do instinctively

Ultimately, the only person you need to keep happy and healthy with your choices is you.

Limiting beliefs are things, usually about ourselves or our potential, that we have come to accept in our minds as the truth.

They can be things like I am not creative, I am not good enough.

Think about what limiting belief you want to work on. If you're struggling to decide, think about something you really want to do but seem to have a mysterious resistance to. That's a great shadowy hiding place for your limiting beliefs.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, this book is extremely cute! The illustration, Prompt and the book itself are cute and fun to read. It gives a vibe of children's books but also gives actual advice. I have a lot of fun reading this book. It is like talking with a friend about life as the book used friendly language and not too serious. It is more convincing and encouraging than "how to...." which I found really enjoyable. Even though some of the advice is kind of basic things we might already know but decided to ignore it or put it aside. In this book, it reminds us that our life is more than just living on others' expectations, reminds us that it is alright to rest without feeling guilty, etc....

I love it! It is cute and I personally related to a lot of stuffs in this book sooo YES, I LOVE IT

[tin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You can do anything, but you can't do everything."

An easy, lighthearted, yet inspiring read on living and life and living life. I bought this book a few years back when I needed something uplifting but never ended up reading through this. I'm in a much better mindset now and it's interesting reading some of the advice having a more mature, positive outlook on the complications of life. I enjoyed the different activities scattered throughout. And while this isn't a deep, philosophical self-help book it's something I'll keep on my shelf and look through when I need gentle reminders that things will turn out alright :)

[Allison Schoel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute self help book that's a good introduction for people who are looking for a change of perspective. I found that I was lucky enough to have this guidance already given to me so while I didn't take any new wisdom from it, I know a lot of people could. The bubbles and cute illustrations make it a quick read where it's not as hard to get through, unlike all small text nonfiction books can be. While there is a chapter on sex, most of it i would say would be helpful for even teens and young adults.

[Jassy Diaries · Rating 3 out of 5]

Empathic and understanding with a sweet view on life. The reason for 3 stars out of five is because of how surfaced the book is, in regard to working on yourself in life. It isn’t an in depth view on what can be better for someone’s life, just a point of meaning well but with no resourceful help on the matter. Nonetheless it was nice and simple and you can enjoy the read, though.

[Amany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining to read, all the illustrations are topnotch and lovely and the messages were just what I needed. I heart this book so much! If I had an older sister I’d picture her be the living legend with wisdom like everything that is in this book, light, easy to decipher, very understanding, and never tries too hard to be perfect.

[Dessy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun reading, with bubbly, colorful fonts, and cute illustrations on every page. Although this book claims to be a self-improvement book, I think it’s more suitable for teenagers and younger individuals. It is simple, interactive, full of encouragement, and affirmation. However, most issues are handled briefly and lightly.

[Megha Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veronica Dearly charms the reader in this self-help book with her funny wit, endless humor, and genuine reassurance. This book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the self-help genre and for anyone who needs to hear life advice like it might come from an older sister.

[Hyooni Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This IS the cutest and most expensive book I've own! It induces the sense of fun and brings out your inner child to any adult who seems to be stuck in life. The adorable drawings and illustrations just melt my heart every time😚

[Mina · Rating 3 out of 5]

“measure your enjoyment” when running rather than timing yourself. “You can do anything doesn’t mean you have to do everything.” “Ask for help when you need it.” Some of my favorite lines. Inspirational short read. Very sweet fluffy book.