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I Wish I Knew: Poems to Soothe Your Soul & Strengthen Your Spirit
In this fast-paced world, I Wish I Knew is a collection of poems to guide us through the wilderness of life, navigating body image, emotions, mental health, and personal growth.
With honest lessons learned from rock bottom, Donna Ashworth's writing helps us to find courage in chaos and rise to every challenge.
Sparking joy, surprise, and gratitude on each page, this collection will soothe your soul, strengthen your spirit, and help you find your own unique voice.
With honest lessons learned from rock bottom, Donna Ashworth's writing helps us to find courage in chaos and rise to every challenge.
Sparking joy, surprise, and gratitude on each page, this collection will soothe your soul, strengthen your spirit, and help you find your own unique voice.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published April 28, 2022
310 people are currently reading
2580 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
August 18, 2024
Very surface level. Nothing really evoked a genuine feeling or reaction in me.
December 27, 2024
Wanted to grab this after hearing “Joy Comes Back” and loving it.
This is a wonderful collection of poetry on self-worth and self-esteem, and while much of it might be on the nose, all of it is meaningful. I loved pretty much every page, but especially:
- Becoming
- Manual of Life
- Follow the Flawed
- Rollercoaster
- Greener Grass
- Your Light
- You Should Be Too
- Chapters
And my top three were:
- Small Wins
- Know Yourself
- You’re Not Going there
I read it over an evening with a cup of tea, and had to force myself to slow down and savour each page. Really good reminder, especially for those neurospicy women who struggle to fit in, those who’ve been through trauma, those who have times where they hate themselves simply for existing. It really spoke to me and felt like a good friend helping me to be gentle with myself.
Definitely recommend :)
This is a wonderful collection of poetry on self-worth and self-esteem, and while much of it might be on the nose, all of it is meaningful. I loved pretty much every page, but especially:
- Becoming
- Manual of Life
- Follow the Flawed
- Rollercoaster
- Greener Grass
- Your Light
- You Should Be Too
- Chapters
And my top three were:
- Small Wins
- Know Yourself
- You’re Not Going there
I read it over an evening with a cup of tea, and had to force myself to slow down and savour each page. Really good reminder, especially for those neurospicy women who struggle to fit in, those who’ve been through trauma, those who have times where they hate themselves simply for existing. It really spoke to me and felt like a good friend helping me to be gentle with myself.
Definitely recommend :)
April 30, 2024
“ Poems to soothe your soul and strengthen your spirit.”
Recommended to women going through hard times or trying to rebuild their lives like me….. I truly believe it can be done.
I have enjoyed having this on my nightstand for about the last month, reading it slowly, and especially reading it over and over again …as needed.
Recommended to women going through hard times or trying to rebuild their lives like me….. I truly believe it can be done.
I have enjoyed having this on my nightstand for about the last month, reading it slowly, and especially reading it over and over again …as needed.
February 7, 2024
Uplifting words for difficult days.
March 25, 2025
"Family is anyone who makes you feel at home and not always those you start life with."
One of so many wonderful quotes to remember. It's a book that will always stay on my "keeper" shelf.
One of so many wonderful quotes to remember. It's a book that will always stay on my "keeper" shelf.
January 7, 2026
It took me many, many weeks to read this, a bit here and a bit there, when I needed it most. And I’m sure I’ll reread many of the passages I highlighted over the coming months, on cloudy days. And I know it will help, at least a little!!
May 6, 2022
Another little book of light from Donna Ashworth. Wise words ranging from body image to grief. Thank you for sharing Donna
August 13, 2023
“Perhaps your soul searches
until you find the one you miss
and they tell you to go back and live.”
*1.5 stars.
I will come back to ‘You’re The Ghost’ time and time again because it’s a poem I discovered when I needed it most.
However, on the whole the writing in this collection felt superficial, and I don’t think poetry was the right medium for these musings. I resonated with some of the reflections on grief, but this anthology was largely forgettable.
until you find the one you miss
and they tell you to go back and live.”
*1.5 stars.
I will come back to ‘You’re The Ghost’ time and time again because it’s a poem I discovered when I needed it most.
However, on the whole the writing in this collection felt superficial, and I don’t think poetry was the right medium for these musings. I resonated with some of the reflections on grief, but this anthology was largely forgettable.
August 4, 2023
ughhhhh, sooooooooo blahhhhhh
the writing felt more like a highschool essay they had to write on grieving rather then poetry. nothing flowed. nothing made me think. the last 25% was bearable and made a couple decent points about losing a loved one. but absolutely nothing great about this read
the writing felt more like a highschool essay they had to write on grieving rather then poetry. nothing flowed. nothing made me think. the last 25% was bearable and made a couple decent points about losing a loved one. but absolutely nothing great about this read
September 5, 2022
I LOVE YOUR SHOES!
January 20, 2024
full of eye openers and new perspectives on life, got a bit emotional during this as well but genuinely such wonderful art <3
March 2, 2024
This was a gorgeous gift from someone I'm so thankful for ❤️ full of lovely encouraging words.
July 12, 2024
stories never die
tell them all
tell them all
Read
June 21, 2025“Stories never die. Tell them all”
September 19, 2023
I loved it!
Poetry to take with you on your healing journey ❤️ see it as a healing balm that you can apply on your broken soul whenever you feel like you need it. It won’t fix it, but it will protect it and make it stronger.
Poetry to take with you on your healing journey ❤️ see it as a healing balm that you can apply on your broken soul whenever you feel like you need it. It won’t fix it, but it will protect it and make it stronger.
April 18, 2025
Repetitive, irritating, unrealistic and superficial poems that don't scan. Became a source of humour in our house.
April 11, 2023
Read this in one sitting whilst in a waiting room. Had to back and bookmark poems that stood out. Donna Ashworth has an incredible talent for using just the right words, will be reading more of hers.
October 1, 2025
beautiful read
March 18, 2023
Another gorgeous book which navigates the ups and downs in life. The poems about grief resonated particularly well with me.
June 29, 2024
Beautiful book, some poems seem written just for me. I recommend reading it at least once.
August 2, 2023
A book recommended to me from my sister although she didn't give me much of a reason as to why this particular book would actually suit me too much.
The author Donna Ashworth makes her intentions known straight at the beginning that she hopes this becomes a life manual for readers who are down and out - a book to be savored slowly as well as quite randomly when you need to be reminded of life's lessons as you wallow in the pit that you may have fallen into (the last thought is more my own life translation than that of the author herself).
The content of I Wish I Knew has some organization to it although not enough to actually use it to really divide the book itself into themed sections but enough that similar poems are grouped rather close together. Furthermore the reader of this book if they read it cover-to-cover will find interspersed throughout basic illustrations with quotes, poems that are mostly non-rhyming as well as non-flowing and occasionally small essay entries that take up about a paragraph of the page. The titles for the poems and essay are provided in blue to separate them from the rest of the text and the quotes in bold while the subject audience is most definitely female readers as the author has dedicated this book to.
Although there were a few interesting poems I cannot say that I am a fan of the writing. In my own opinion I would have rather had these poems just written out as bite-size essays or even small memos to the self again to be read at random. Furthermore although some do focus on more age-focused themes down the road in a woman's life I still feel that this book would be a much better gift to a young woman who is just getting her feet wet with life's experiences.
In the end it was fairly decent but I definitely didn't feel like I had a place in its audience-base.
The author Donna Ashworth makes her intentions known straight at the beginning that she hopes this becomes a life manual for readers who are down and out - a book to be savored slowly as well as quite randomly when you need to be reminded of life's lessons as you wallow in the pit that you may have fallen into (the last thought is more my own life translation than that of the author herself).
The content of I Wish I Knew has some organization to it although not enough to actually use it to really divide the book itself into themed sections but enough that similar poems are grouped rather close together. Furthermore the reader of this book if they read it cover-to-cover will find interspersed throughout basic illustrations with quotes, poems that are mostly non-rhyming as well as non-flowing and occasionally small essay entries that take up about a paragraph of the page. The titles for the poems and essay are provided in blue to separate them from the rest of the text and the quotes in bold while the subject audience is most definitely female readers as the author has dedicated this book to.
Although there were a few interesting poems I cannot say that I am a fan of the writing. In my own opinion I would have rather had these poems just written out as bite-size essays or even small memos to the self again to be read at random. Furthermore although some do focus on more age-focused themes down the road in a woman's life I still feel that this book would be a much better gift to a young woman who is just getting her feet wet with life's experiences.
In the end it was fairly decent but I definitely didn't feel like I had a place in its audience-base.
May 2, 2024
Truly beautiful, loved every second of this. A lot of the poems really hit home and resonated with me. I will be re reading this collection many times in my life.
“Friendship is showing up for the worst of times as well as the best and knowing which one is the most important.”
“live your life flawed and beautiful.”
“waste time wisely, my friend. Time spent in rest, joy, company and kindness is never wasted. As for everything else, just do it. You won’t regret the things you tried and failed at. But you will regret a life spent waiting. Those who wait, wait. You have a life to live.”
“The thing about rock bottom is that it’s hard and beautiful buildings need that, to keep them up.”
“If you seek flaws, you’ll find flaws, if you seek beauty, you’ll find that too”
“Find your people they are out there you know and they need you too. It’s chemistry. Feel them out.”
“The worst thing you can be, unequivocally, is locked in a prison of your own self-doubt, riddled with insecurities, afraid to venture out into this life, lest the world sees who you really are. In short, the worst thing you can be is someone else. When you were only ever meant to be you.”
“Be your own work in progress you’re a masterpiece in the making.”
“Your body, your face is the doorway to you and nothing more. The real stuff is inside.”
“Follow the flawed, the real, the messy. Follow the women who say it like it is, no filter, no glossing, no bull. Follow those people who accept themselves, and you, as you are. And leave the rest to edit their lives to perfection,”
“Friendship is showing up for the worst of times as well as the best and knowing which one is the most important.”
“live your life flawed and beautiful.”
“waste time wisely, my friend. Time spent in rest, joy, company and kindness is never wasted. As for everything else, just do it. You won’t regret the things you tried and failed at. But you will regret a life spent waiting. Those who wait, wait. You have a life to live.”
“The thing about rock bottom is that it’s hard and beautiful buildings need that, to keep them up.”
“If you seek flaws, you’ll find flaws, if you seek beauty, you’ll find that too”
“Find your people they are out there you know and they need you too. It’s chemistry. Feel them out.”
“The worst thing you can be, unequivocally, is locked in a prison of your own self-doubt, riddled with insecurities, afraid to venture out into this life, lest the world sees who you really are. In short, the worst thing you can be is someone else. When you were only ever meant to be you.”
“Be your own work in progress you’re a masterpiece in the making.”
“Your body, your face is the doorway to you and nothing more. The real stuff is inside.”
“Follow the flawed, the real, the messy. Follow the women who say it like it is, no filter, no glossing, no bull. Follow those people who accept themselves, and you, as you are. And leave the rest to edit their lives to perfection,”
October 26, 2022
This was a relatively good book of poems on life, death, grieving, mental health and more. It was written in a chatty, relatable, yet meaningful way which drew you in to the poems, particularly on mental health and the process of grieving.
It was by no means perfect. Some of the advice came across as a bit trite and patronising, especially the overuse of sweet one and sweet pea.
Also, this was no fault of her own, but quite a few of the poems whilst well written and interesting to read were obviously aimed at women and women's body image.
Despite some flaws I'm glad I discovered a new poet who is talented and has a chatty and engaging way of taking about life. I also enjoyed reading and re-reading some of the poems and looking to take on board and even try to apply what was being said in to my own life. I will try more books of Donna's poems and would recommend for those who like me love poetry, to read her work.
It was by no means perfect. Some of the advice came across as a bit trite and patronising, especially the overuse of sweet one and sweet pea.
Also, this was no fault of her own, but quite a few of the poems whilst well written and interesting to read were obviously aimed at women and women's body image.
Despite some flaws I'm glad I discovered a new poet who is talented and has a chatty and engaging way of taking about life. I also enjoyed reading and re-reading some of the poems and looking to take on board and even try to apply what was being said in to my own life. I will try more books of Donna's poems and would recommend for those who like me love poetry, to read her work.
June 21, 2024
I enjoy her books. This is my third by Donna! I enjoy her style of writing.. her words always resonate with me. Grief is a beast and she knows what to say to help during the days, weeks, months and years.
“Take grief by the hand all the way back to its roots, that’s where the love is.”
I pick this book up and read a poem.. and think about what’s said, journal. And then there are weeks that go by and pick it up again. You don’t have to read this book cover to cover in one sitting. You can take a page at a time and reflect.
Keep
Up the good work, will buy the next book that comes out.
Happy 📖 Reading
“Take grief by the hand all the way back to its roots, that’s where the love is.”
I pick this book up and read a poem.. and think about what’s said, journal. And then there are weeks that go by and pick it up again. You don’t have to read this book cover to cover in one sitting. You can take a page at a time and reflect.
Keep
Up the good work, will buy the next book that comes out.
Happy 📖 Reading
January 4, 2025
Wild Hope
I wish I knew
By Donna Ashworth ♥️ @donnaashworthwords
I was lucky enough to see Donna Ashworth do a live reading of some of her poems at @fearnecotton s happy place festival back in August!
It was wonderful to hear her poems brought to life by her beautiful Scottish accent.
Whilst reading the pyscisl copies of her work, I also decided to listen to her audio version of both books too!
Donnas poetry is heartfelt, wise, peaceful, and uplifting
The words will resonate with everyone. They had me smiling and tearing up. A truly beautiful collection.
I wish I knew
By Donna Ashworth ♥️ @donnaashworthwords
I was lucky enough to see Donna Ashworth do a live reading of some of her poems at @fearnecotton s happy place festival back in August!
It was wonderful to hear her poems brought to life by her beautiful Scottish accent.
Whilst reading the pyscisl copies of her work, I also decided to listen to her audio version of both books too!
Donnas poetry is heartfelt, wise, peaceful, and uplifting
The words will resonate with everyone. They had me smiling and tearing up. A truly beautiful collection.
September 7, 2025
I read this book over the course of 24 hours in between my busy days. It was that lovely. I have now passed it on to my daughter to read as I think it will do her some good too.
I’m not a poem reader. I didn’t even know this book was full of poems but I soon found myself not able to put this down! It’s all about being kind to yourself and is so true. This self love malarkey is something I struggle with, but I feel like some of the poems will stick with me, when I’m in changing rooms trying on clothes or about to eat a chocolate bar.
Everyone deserves love, peace and happiness
I’m not a poem reader. I didn’t even know this book was full of poems but I soon found myself not able to put this down! It’s all about being kind to yourself and is so true. This self love malarkey is something I struggle with, but I feel like some of the poems will stick with me, when I’m in changing rooms trying on clothes or about to eat a chocolate bar.
Everyone deserves love, peace and happiness
May 15, 2022
This book is for teenage girls apparently so I bought it for my friend’s daughter and I can’t repeat what she said about it. Her and her friends now read it to one another in funny voices whilst pretending to cry. They’ve all confirmed they think it is terrible and none of them know a single young person who will relate to it. This kind of thing might have been helpful in the nineties but the world has moved on I think.
March 13, 2023
These short verses are meant to soothe loss, grief, self esteem - comfort if you are open to it. I wish we were taught as children to love ourselves as we want to be loved. 'You Cant Make Someone Love You', 'Don’t Fall in Love' and 'I Love Your Shoes' are my personal favorites. Grateful when this author's poems are posted on Facebook, sometimes it’s just what I need to hear or share with someone else.
July 25, 2023
This book spoke to my soul. It killed and revived me, which sounds silly for just a poem book. With the way I struggle with grief, it really hurt me. It taught me that I don't have to be perfect to be able to live and that my body is supposed to be like this. I should just continue with life. I was thinking to give it 4 stars but it really doesn't deserve that. This did sometimes make me feel sleepy while reading but the words contained in this book are precious. Why is this review so long?
August 12, 2022
I love books and have hundreds collected over the last 35 years and I can honestly say this is one of life’s must haves !!!! I discovered Donna Ashworth recently non Instagram and her words touch the heart soothe the soul and lifts your spirit . Resonated with so many areas of life and so inspiring and uplifting.
Her words make you feel heard and that’s a true gift thank you 🙏
Her words make you feel heard and that’s a true gift thank you 🙏
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews