The Shift: Poetry for a New Perspective

by Melody Godfred

The world has changed – but thankfully so have we. The Shift: Poetry for a New Perspective embodies the best of who we are now. From Self Love Philosopher Melody Godfred, author of bestselling Self Love Poetry: for Thinkers & Feelers, comes a collection of poems designed to reframe how we see and move through this brave new, post-pandemic world.
Each pair of poems inspires a shift from the old way of thinking to the new: from guilt to gratitude, resistance to surrender, and fear to love. The first poem in each pair is dedicated to the old way. The second poem offers a shift in perspective that lovingly illuminates the new. Each seemingly simple poem instantly elicits a profound reset, and is coupled with beautiful line drawings that awaken not just the mind, but also the heart. The Shift’s unique poem pairings uplift the soul by offering a hopeful salve for our collective burnout.

Whether you listen to a pair of poems a day, or listen to the entire book in one sitting, The Shift will be your trusted companion as you bravely navigate the great unknown that lies ahead in the months, years and decades to come.

Audiobook highlights:
Narration by author Melody Godfred, a speaker known for her warm, soothing voice and thought leadership in the self love space
An alternate track featuring sound effects that place you at the scene of Melody’s nature-inspired poetry
Commentary by Melody on some of the book’s most notable poems and themes, ranging from navigating the pandemic, relationships, motherhood and the journey towards achieving self love and worth
A PDF copy of The Shift that provides access to the line drawings that accompany Melody’s poems

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Art, Audiobook

Audiobook

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Melody Godfred is a poet, author, and speaker who is passionate about empowering people to love themselves and transform their lives.

Melody started her career as a litigation attorney, but soon realized a disconnect between her work and essence, so she left a prestigious position at a top law firm to launch Write In Color, her personal branding and career development company. She quickly established her reputation as a leader in the career development space. Through her work as a coach exploring the narratives of hundreds of women, and after undergoing several life transitions herself -- including motherhood -- Melody discovered a common trend: in their quest to fuel their careers and relationships, women were increasingly sacrificing their authentic selves, happiness and well-being.

Melody needed a reminder to choose herself each and every day and believed that other women did too, so she created the Self Love Pinky Ring, a self-commitment ring for women, and launched Fred and Far, her self love movement and community. Her ring and community instantly went viral around the world (Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, and more), and started a global conversation around self love.

In 2020, Melody published Self Love Poetry: For Thinkers & Feelers, a collection of 200 poems that instantly became and remains a bestseller. One of her poems (“I thought 2020 would be the year I got everything I wanted. Now I know 2020 is the year I appreciate everything I have.”) was shared on social media by Oprah Magazine just before the Thanksgiving Holiday, quickly going viral and eventually reaching hundreds of millions of people, in addition to earning a feature on Today with Hoda and Jenna. In early 2021, Melody signed a book deal with Andrews McMeel Publishing, re-releasing Self Love Poetry and publishing two more books, The ABCs of Self Love, an illustrated guided journal, and The Shift: Poetry for a New Perspective. Her latest collection, Moon Garden: Poetry for Manifestation is coming out on October 21, 2025.

In 2025, Melody began leading moon circles blending poetry, movement, meditation and more.

Melody is a trusted thought leader whose advice has been featured on Inc., Forbes, Huff Post, Bustle, PayScale, Motherly, Mashable, The Muse, and Fairygodboss, among others. Melody was a featured speaker at the Teen Vogue Summit and The Massachusetts Conference for Women, and has led personal branding and operational workshops for Farfetch, Murad, The YWCA, and more. She received her law degree from Loyola Law School with honors.

Melody lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband Aaron Godfred and three kids, twin daughters Stella and Violet and son Teddy.

Her latest book, The Shift: Poetry for a New Perspective was released on September 27, 2022 (Andrews McMeel Publishing) and is a Goodreads Choice Award nominee for Best Poetry Book of 2022.

Reviews

[mas · Rating 1 out of 5]

worst series of poems i have ever read. genuinely cannot think of the words written on here as poetry. it was incredibly uninspiring and boring.

thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

[Heather G . · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reader, one of my favorite experiences in any book is shifting perspectives – whether that means characters who grow or a story that will change your way of thinking. This book of poetry reflects the changing of the author’s mindset as each poem features first the “old” thought and then the “new” thought.

I love reading a poetry book that flows so smoothly in a first read but begs you to come back and reflect longer on each page. The author has done an amazing job of creating this effect with beautiful transitions and artwork.

This is my first book by the author, but I’m excited now to collect her poetry books for future reflection – we all need a reminder from time-to-time on appreciating each day instead of rushing to the next task, next project, next day.

Thank you to Andrew McNeel Publishing for providing me with an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley.

[Kylie | kylieisreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to #NetGalley for access to an early copy!

I am a huge fan of poetry & I loved the cover of this collection! I devoured this book!!

I liked that they were written in pairs & I enjoyed the sketches that accompanied each one. Some of the poems felt like mini affirmations & I know that I will refer back to this collection from time to time.

Very enjoyable & easy to digest :)

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shift
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Netgalley & publisher for the ARC!

“I did it to myself, like I always do.”

So many good poems that hit right to the heart. Powerful yet simple in the best way. The art piece with each poem made some of the tougher topics feel light. I adored almost every piece in this book, each one was unique and sweet with words and incredibly relatable.

The title is perfection too, you can feel the self love and growth - the shift - in each poem towards that goal. Beautiful.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melody and her publisher, Andrews McMeel, offered an early copy of this book to some of Melody's followers and I was lucky enough to be among them.

Melody's first book of poems, "Self Love Poetry" was wonderful. I leave it on my nightstand and come back to it often. Its right brain / left brain format felt unique and nearly all her "left brain" poems resonate with me.

But THE SHIFT coming post-pandemic and structured across the pages with a dichotomy of "old way" and "new way" (hence, the shift) resonates even more. The beautiful illustrations that accompany Melody's poems make them all that more powerful.

Reading Melody's poems is like letters from a big sister telling you it's okay to feel your feelings, remind you to be present, and refill your tank. It's evident that Melody has done the work to love herself from the inside-out and light the path for the rest of us.

[Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

“ I pulled back the earth and
Gently laid down my guilt, fear, and trauma
I watered them with my acceptance and
Watched as they transformed
Once seeds of self doubt
Now a field of self love. “


This is a great collection of modern poetry that touches on themes of fear, pain, love, motherhood, womanhood, the human experience, identity and growth. The further I read, the more I enjoyed this book, as we can follow along with the authors journey in a raw and relatable way!

A gorgeous quick read with great illustrations. If you are a fan of Rupi Kaur style poetry and layout then 100% give this a read!!

[dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this collection of poems. It completely captivated me with the simple yet impactful lines and the thoughtfully added illustrations that beautifully accompanied them. It begins with a “destructive” thought and follows a thought shift – one that frames a new perspective, like the title describes. Each of these thoughts are ones that many of us have had as a result of living through recent events - making us learn to appreciate each moment in the moment. Each poem left me reflecting even after I finished its contents.

The poems had a clear flow that was easy to follow. It’s a collection I will definitely reread as it left a lasting impression with the many affirmations within it. This book is the first of the author’s that I have read, but not the last as she has definitely become a must-read for me.

Many thanks to Netgalley for the book!

[Shani Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved Melody's work, her sincerity and authenticity lend such a weight and impact to her poetry. To be able to live life as we all have in the last few years and emerge from it with not just a beautiful piece of work to share, but one designed to be a supportive companion in our post-whatever world, that's a triumph.

[Ilana Banana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The collection is all about changing mindsets and perspectives and I think it managed to show that. When reading poetry collections there will always be poems that resonate more than others and it happened to me with this one too. There are also beautiful illustrations that really complement and encapsulate the essence of the poems. It feels like you could use these poems as daily reminders and just have them there, which is nice.

Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the eARC

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Net gallery, for providing me with a free copy of the Gravity of existence in exchange for an honest review.

When reading these poems, I was surprised by how easy it was to read, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The writing and the drawing of the poems made the poem feel original and flowed with the writing. The poems were easy to read but had so much power to them.

[Jianna C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay guys… here’s the thing, I’ve NEVER desired to read poetry. It was simply never my “thing”, but when I found this beauty on #netgalley I just had to give it a try! Now here I am completely IN LOVE with this book. I absolutely need it in a physical copy!!

The wonderful @melodygodfred provides beautiful self worth and reflective poetry that will completely give you new insight into your thoughts about yourself and the world around you ✨

Let's also appreciate the blissful artwork included on every page of this beautiful book. It truly adds to the tone and highlights the meaning of each poem. ✨

[Irene · Rating 2 out of 5]

On its head, the book contains mirrors of the harder aspects of the pandemic and the growth experienced from it. The feelings of challenges and anxiety are at times poignant, however, the "growth" narrative screams toxic positivity. Poetry written for the sake of it and overall incredibly unrelatable.

[Trapeezius Milkington · Rating 2 out of 5]

This screams “wow I’m so ~deep~ and ~intellectual~ I should write [cheesy, mediocre] poetry” with a large side of “gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss” energy

[the_nerd_cafephile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to Netgalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing and the author, for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Shift is a beautiful collection of poems that shows the growth and shift in perception. The illustrations in the book adds to the words and brings magic to the pages. The poems are in pairs where the poet notes how she felt about certain aspects of life before the pandemic and now in the after.

As a reader the one thing that delights me is seeing development of character and this poetry collection is exactly that the before and after, the then and now. The poignant low flow ideas touched my heart and that is the beauty of poetry.

[Alani Morel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book of poems was a great read! The author shares vulnerability in thoughts as she grows and steps into her awakening. It was a very short and fast read. I am interested in reading more from this author. I definitely recommend if you too are on a path of awakening. It is very relatable.

[Rigel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably not the intended audience for this. Very short, very juvenile "poems". Wouldn't call them poems... maybe a better word for them are passing thoughts every tween girl has.
Many 2 page spreads were dedicated to four lines and a doodle which is an unfortunate waste of trees. For 23$ CAD I wouldn't say this is worth it in the slightest. If you do intend to buy it maybe consider sticking to a digital copy and save some trees.

[Jayme · Rating 1 out of 5]

None of these are poems but statements

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uninspiring. I'd say there was only a couple good poems. Definitely not as good as her prior book.

[Raynbow Corleone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one didn’t get me as much as the first book did but that’s ok. It still hit some key points! Self love. Let’s transform our lives to be better. If you can’t love yourself how the hell do you expect someone else to love you? You can’t. “When you hit rock bottom And things get even worse, You have two choices Suffer the dispare of your downward spiral Or Celebrate the joy of your continued resilience. Your choice!”
“When we learn to love ourselves, we set the table for others to join us. Not everyone can or will but, Whether they come or go, we will never be hungry or lonely again.”

[Alyssa (Cozy.Soul.Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this collection of poetry today. It was gentle and kind. Below are some of my favorite qoutes.

"Plans are not promises. They are allowed to change."

"My ego screamed 'be better' my soul whispered 'grow."

"I desire peace."
- your soul

"Allowing it will get you what you need."

[Juliet Penrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a perfect end to my 2024 reading goal. A quick book of poems about shifting your perspective. I enjoyed reading and pondering the shift from one page of a poem to the next “shifted” poem on the other side. There are definitely a few in here I’d come back to.

Thank you Bridget!!! 🫶🏼🥰

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

////ARC RECEIVED FROM NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR HONEST REVIEW////


Thank you Netgallley for the ARC.

"Right now, all I am, is here, for me"
This was a beautiful collection of poetry made even better by the lovely illustrations. The shifting of perspectives throughout each poem flowed seamlessly. If you like modern poetry, this is the book for you. However, if you are more of a traditionalist, you may not enjoy this book as much. Either way, I think it is worth a read.

[Millie Cullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Lena Zhu]

These poems are rich with the history of who Melody Godfred is. Immigrant. Mother. Lover.

Her poems in this collection are markedly different from others in the same field in that Godfred writes about what life has to offer. Instead of focusing on gut-wrenching heartache, she places her focus on the world during and after COVID, what it means to be yourself in a world bound to keep you from experiencing all that you are.

Although I am used to poems about love and heartache, I found this book to be a breath of fresh air.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is great and I like that she kept the dualistic format of the last one in that the left side is the last and the right is the future/present. Plus I always adore these quick but impactful poetry books.

[A T · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shift is instant medicine for your soul. After reading each set of poems, I felt chills in my head and a genuine shift in my body. As a visual person, I very much enjoyed how each poem was accompanied by a beautiful illustration, further assisting in reframing my perception.
Thank you, Melody, for this invitation to see beyond our programming. A beautiful reminder of the power our minds hold.

[Aimee David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a poetic daydream, adds deeper texture to your life experience..
Introspective, wise, and creative. Multi layered conceptual and personal.

5 stars around the shifts beautiful and breathtaking orbit:) the illustrations, meaningful, whimsical..what a brilliant nod to shel Silverstein.
.. it’s an everyday, every month or every year read- as you age with the poems.. each one will resonate through your own journey. Super colorful metaphors that you will quote to your nearest and dearest…

[Ankita Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book and a reminder that perspective can change anything, including ourselves! The book taught me to approach life (and myself) with the grace it deserves. Most importantly, what I like about the book is its dual nature focusing on old and new perspectives. It does not shy away from acknowledging the range of human emotion and experience.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving, inspiring, relatable and incredible. Every page of this book truly does make you shift your perspective. Melody is so insightful and this is a beautifully written book. Great to refer to daily as well as gift. Highly recommend

[Ashley Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not say enough about the author. Her way with words touches my heart everytime.

It takes courage to pour your soul into a book then share that book with the world.

Thank you for your beautiful poetry.