REVIEW: How to Try Again

How to Try Again
Author: Steve Kamb

I have to say from the start that I am not a huge fan of self-help books. I have read too many that offered only blanket old-hat advice or that had an opposite effect on my thoughts/feelings than I intended. 

But....I enjoyed this book. 

My life took a sudden upheaval a few years ago when I left a 20+ year marriage to a narcissistic and psychologically abusive person. It took months of prep to plan my "escape"....and I executed a cross-country move to a new life. But....starting over doesn't heal the damage or quiet intrusive thoughts from 20 years of gaslighting. I had a fight on my hands to start my life over in my 50s. 

Therapy is great. I'm 100% in favor of it, and use it monthly as a tool to help me on my journey. But I also needed something more......reading some good books to help me stop being so hard on myself and really dig into getting my life, my joy and my physical/mental fitness back. I did not need self help books with toxic positivity, empty advice and nonsense. I needed THIS book. Common sense and real strategies to start over and try again. :) 

When this book popped up for review, I immediately grabbed an early copy and got to reading. I handled this a bit differently than my usual review reading. I read this book chapter by chapter, taking my time. My goal wasn't only to get the word out about a new book, but also to help myself along the way. So I slowed down and really digested this book. 

One of the hardest things about starting all over after an abusive situation is learning which voices/thoughts in my head are ME and which ones are a product of the past abuse. And, what decisions and obstacles are self-inflicted because I'm afraid of failing. 

This book took me on a journey through my own head ---- and helped me get past some real obstacles to my re-building my life and grabbing my joy back. 

I have this book on my wish list to buy a physical copy so I can go back through it again....and take more steps towards meeting my new life goals. 

To anyone who finds themselves starting all over again -- the journey isn't easy, but it's so wonderful!! Starting over is rough, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges!