Kind Words for Unkind Days: A guide to surviving and thriving in difficult times

by Jayne Hardy

Overview

'This book is like a mug of hot chocolate on a cold day, a loving reminder that we are brave, capable and more than enough' Chloe Brotheridge, author of THE ANXIETY SOLUTION

'This book feels like a hug and pep talk from a friend' Sarah Turner, bestselling author of THE UNMUMSY MUM

A practical pick-me-up for life's tough days, this book is the perfect guide to help you feel happier, healthier and calmer.

We all have days where we feel like the world is getting us down. But here's the thing - you're not alone. From helping us see what strong really looks like, to what to do when you have no energy for self-care; Jayne Hardy shows us that even on our most difficult days, a little kindness can go a very long way.

With easily digestible advice and soothing messages to help you find brightness on even the darkest days, this is the book we all need. Perfect for yourself or as a gift to a family member or friend, this book is the message we all need to hear: Be kind.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781398700758
Publisher:	Orion Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/03/2024
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.70(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Jayne Hardy is the founder and CEO of The Blurt Foundation - a social enterprise dedicated to helping those affected by depression.

Jayne lives in Cornwall with her husband, their daughter, and their dog. She has spoken, and written, about her own experiences of depression and self-care on BBC Radio 2, at TEDxBrum, and in publications such as Huffington Post, Grazia and Virgin.com, to name a few.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

1 Words for the days that fee! frightening 7

We're all winging it 8

Don't believe the fearful thoughts 10

Fear underestimates you 12

You deserve a bravery medal 13

You're braver than you think 16

2 Words for the days that feel overwhelming 19

You'll get to it 20

Nobody has perfection down pat 22

Don't worry about winning the day - go smaller 24

You're a human 'being' 26

There is no time machine 29

You are the boss of you 31

Switch it all off 33

3 Words for the days when you don't feel as though you matter 35

You are important 36

You're allowed to take up space 39

There's a power in you 43

You are not a burden 46

Power up 49

4 Words for the days when you're experiencing negative thoughts 51

'Thinking positive' isn't always easy 52

Try not to get it twisted 54

What are you bathing in? 56

Rebel 59

Definitely don't feed the ants 62

Get curious 65

The weeds and the seeds 68

You are worthy of compassion too 72

5 Words for the days when you've made a mistake or two 75

Don't let the past trip you up 76

The stumbles and the crumbles 79

Endless guilt trips are not the answer 81

Tough love is rarely the answer 84

Would you say it to a friend? 87

You're doing your best 89

Shower yourself in self-kindness 92

6 Words for the days when you feel you've lost your way 95

The lies we tell ourselves 96

Your inner GPS system 98

Turn up your volume 102

Permission isn't needed 104

We're all leaders here 106

7 Words for the days when you feel stuck and frustrated 109

Golden nuggets of hindsight 110

Change the story 112

It might take a reframe 115

Rose-tinted specs 118

Coulds not shoulds 121

What are you willing to not do? 124

Believe you can 126

8 Words for the days when relationships feel hard 131

Life isn't black and white 132

Relationships aren't meant to be transactional 135

What are you putting up with? 137

It's a two-way street 140

Look for approval within 143

There's got to be some give and take 146

You need an 'out' too 148

Blooming conditions 151

Empathy as rocket fuel 153

9 Words for the days when you're being unkind to yourself 157

It's OK 158

Bump yourself up 160

Be who you want to be 162

Please choose your happiness 164

Two opposing things can be true 166

Confidence can be rebuilt 169

Don't apologise for who you are 172

Are you hiding your light under a bushel? 174

You're a champ 177

10 Words for the days when life is wearing you down 179

Give yourself all the time you need 180

People don't need fixing 182

You're not 'needy' for having needs 185

Put some self-care anchors in place 187

Address the proverbial 'grit' 190

The wear and tear 192

Is it loving you back? 195

Embrace your childishness 197

What's on your magical things list? 199

Changing the lens 202

Worthy, even when … 205

11 Words for the days when you're in the murky thick of it 207

Rock. Hard place 208

Embrace all of you 211

You're not a let-down 213

It's OK to cry 215

Don't let the pain be in vain 218

Accept help 220

Under pressure 222

Self-care doesn't have to be expensive 224

12 Words for the days when it all feels helpless 227

In the eye of the storm 228

The Compound Effect 231

Problems don't form a queue 234

Create a horizon 236

Our thoughts lie 238

Don't give up before it gets better 241

Acknowledgements 243

About the author 246