What do you think?
Rate this book
If You Feel Too Much: Thoughts on Things Found and Lost and Hoped For
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Memoir & Autobiography (2015)The New York Times Bestseller
In 2006 Jamie Tworkowski wrote a story called “To Write Love on Her Arms,” about helping a friend through her struggle with drug addiction, depression, and self-injury. The piece was so hauntingly beautiful that it quickly went viral, giving birth to a non-profit organization of the same name. Now, To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) is an internationally recognized leader in suicide prevention and a source of hope, encouragement, and support for people worldwide.
If You Feel Too Much is a celebration of hope, wonder, and what it means to be human. From personal stories of struggling on days most people celebrate to words of strength and encouragement in moments of loss, the essays in this book invite readers to believe that it’s okay to admit to pain and okay to ask for help. If You Feel Too Much is an important book from one of this generation’s most important voices.
In 2006 Jamie Tworkowski wrote a story called “To Write Love on Her Arms,” about helping a friend through her struggle with drug addiction, depression, and self-injury. The piece was so hauntingly beautiful that it quickly went viral, giving birth to a non-profit organization of the same name. Now, To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) is an internationally recognized leader in suicide prevention and a source of hope, encouragement, and support for people worldwide.
If You Feel Too Much is a celebration of hope, wonder, and what it means to be human. From personal stories of struggling on days most people celebrate to words of strength and encouragement in moments of loss, the essays in this book invite readers to believe that it’s okay to admit to pain and okay to ask for help. If You Feel Too Much is an important book from one of this generation’s most important voices.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2015
About the author
Jamie Tworkowski
3 books196 followersJamie Tworkowski founded To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA), a non-profit group dedicated to helping those who suffer from depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicidal tendencies find hope, support, and love. TWLOHA began as a simple attempt to tell the story of a friend in need of treatment, and soon became an internet phenomenon and global movement. In 2010, Mashable named TWLOHA the "Must-Follow Non-Profit" and in 2011, TWLOHA was awarded $1 million from the American Giving Awards.
In order to fund his friend's treatment, Jamie Tworkowski posted a blog on MySpace and began selling t-shirts. Supported by the bands Switchfoot, Anberlin, and Paramore, TWLOHA became widely recognized in the music world, and its message was spread across towns and cities all over the world. TWLOHA now has the largest online audience of any non-profit on MySpace and Facebook and has donated more than $1 million to treatment and recovery organizations.
For his work, Tworkowski has been interviewed by NBC Nightly News, CNN, MTV, and Spin Magazine. Tworkowski offers a message of hope and community to audiences at universities and conferences throughout the US and as far away as Australia and the UK. Jamie Tworkowski believes what matters most are the people, the real lives and real stories behind the statistics. With honesty and humanity, Tworkowski emboldens audiences with his message to "Please Stay Alive," aiming to break the silence surrounding issues such as depression and addiction while encouraging people to get the help they need and deserve.
TWLOHA became inspirational speaker Jamie Tworkowski's life's work after learning the sobering statistics that two out of three people with depression do not get help, and that the third leading cause of death among 18-24 year olds is suicide. Each night, he shares his vision of hope, reminding students that "You are not alone and this is not the end of your story."
In order to fund his friend's treatment, Jamie Tworkowski posted a blog on MySpace and began selling t-shirts. Supported by the bands Switchfoot, Anberlin, and Paramore, TWLOHA became widely recognized in the music world, and its message was spread across towns and cities all over the world. TWLOHA now has the largest online audience of any non-profit on MySpace and Facebook and has donated more than $1 million to treatment and recovery organizations.
For his work, Tworkowski has been interviewed by NBC Nightly News, CNN, MTV, and Spin Magazine. Tworkowski offers a message of hope and community to audiences at universities and conferences throughout the US and as far away as Australia and the UK. Jamie Tworkowski believes what matters most are the people, the real lives and real stories behind the statistics. With honesty and humanity, Tworkowski emboldens audiences with his message to "Please Stay Alive," aiming to break the silence surrounding issues such as depression and addiction while encouraging people to get the help they need and deserve.
TWLOHA became inspirational speaker Jamie Tworkowski's life's work after learning the sobering statistics that two out of three people with depression do not get help, and that the third leading cause of death among 18-24 year olds is suicide. Each night, he shares his vision of hope, reminding students that "You are not alone and this is not the end of your story."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 490 reviews
May 27, 2015
Simply put, TWLOHA saved my life.
When I found out that Jamie was releasing a book, I knew his words would be something I'd take with me for the rest of my days. That's how I feel with every brilliant speech, and quote, and all that he does for this movement. I picked up my copy of If You Feel Too Much after months of waiting and devoured it within only a few hours. I felt every single thought and meaning as told in Jamie's own words. The book itself is beautiful and inspiring, which I knew it would be. I found myself choking back tears all the way through. I've never felt so accepted and understood before in my life until I discovered TWLOHA. After years of holding back my support for fear of people's judgement, I've found that this organization is something I believe in with all my heart. I am proud to be a supporter, and I aspire to be someone as brave and loving as Jamie. He's changing the world every day and this book is a testament of his passion and heart that he so selflessly gives to others. Jamie, along with the TWLOHA movement and supporters, help me stay brave. They make me feel like I can do anything. But more importantly, they make me feel like I can get better. And I have gotten better, so much better. Each day I feel stronger and more hopeful than the day before, and that means everything to me.
If You Feel Too Much is a book I'll be looking back on for years to come. Each page, every word is a reminder of what it means to live. I hope that you can find that, or something like it, when you read it too. Thank you for being you, Jamie. #LoveIsTheMovement
When I found out that Jamie was releasing a book, I knew his words would be something I'd take with me for the rest of my days. That's how I feel with every brilliant speech, and quote, and all that he does for this movement. I picked up my copy of If You Feel Too Much after months of waiting and devoured it within only a few hours. I felt every single thought and meaning as told in Jamie's own words. The book itself is beautiful and inspiring, which I knew it would be. I found myself choking back tears all the way through. I've never felt so accepted and understood before in my life until I discovered TWLOHA. After years of holding back my support for fear of people's judgement, I've found that this organization is something I believe in with all my heart. I am proud to be a supporter, and I aspire to be someone as brave and loving as Jamie. He's changing the world every day and this book is a testament of his passion and heart that he so selflessly gives to others. Jamie, along with the TWLOHA movement and supporters, help me stay brave. They make me feel like I can do anything. But more importantly, they make me feel like I can get better. And I have gotten better, so much better. Each day I feel stronger and more hopeful than the day before, and that means everything to me.
If You Feel Too Much is a book I'll be looking back on for years to come. Each page, every word is a reminder of what it means to live. I hope that you can find that, or something like it, when you read it too. Thank you for being you, Jamie. #LoveIsTheMovement
November 20, 2017
Let's start by saying that I was really disappointed by this book. I guess I just had the wrong expectations from the title. It has nothing to do with what to do "If you feel too much" I was hoping to find a connection or find a thread of light; however I did not. I read the book hoping it will ease my dark thoughts or sorrow, yet I believe it made me even more depressed.
The 208 pages of this book are mainly about one idea, that there is no shame in reaching out for people and letting them reach out to you. Here's the main idea in one quote:
“We’re all in this together. It’s okay to be honest. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to say you’re stuck, or that you’re haunted or that you can’t begin to let go. We can all relate to those things. Screw the stigma that says otherwise. Break the silence and break the cycle, for you are more than just your pain. You are not alone. And people need other people.”
The author basically dumped his blog content into a book. When you start reading the book, you will actually find that it reads more like a series of blog posts. I don't have an issue with blogs turning into books, yet I believe that not all blogs are suitable for such a thing; for a blog to be a good book it definitely needs further development, editing, and a clear vision.
The author kept blathering about the idea that it is important to speak up and reach out to people; however, he didn't mention why? How? What is it about reaching for people in bad/dark times that will help? He actually kept rambling on and on about his stories, people he knew, and in reality, all these stories had the same idea and the same message. In fact, this rambling made him jeopardize his credibility, at least to me as a reader.
I understand that the trend now in the western culture is to encourage speaking up and reaching out for people, but is the author suggesting that the only way to get out of the dark times is through people? And without people, we will be doomed? That reaching out to people and asking help can be actually liberating?
Well, if this is the case and the message then the book did not convince me.
The 208 pages of this book are mainly about one idea, that there is no shame in reaching out for people and letting them reach out to you. Here's the main idea in one quote:
“We’re all in this together. It’s okay to be honest. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to say you’re stuck, or that you’re haunted or that you can’t begin to let go. We can all relate to those things. Screw the stigma that says otherwise. Break the silence and break the cycle, for you are more than just your pain. You are not alone. And people need other people.”
The author basically dumped his blog content into a book. When you start reading the book, you will actually find that it reads more like a series of blog posts. I don't have an issue with blogs turning into books, yet I believe that not all blogs are suitable for such a thing; for a blog to be a good book it definitely needs further development, editing, and a clear vision.
The author kept blathering about the idea that it is important to speak up and reach out to people; however, he didn't mention why? How? What is it about reaching for people in bad/dark times that will help? He actually kept rambling on and on about his stories, people he knew, and in reality, all these stories had the same idea and the same message. In fact, this rambling made him jeopardize his credibility, at least to me as a reader.
I understand that the trend now in the western culture is to encourage speaking up and reaching out for people, but is the author suggesting that the only way to get out of the dark times is through people? And without people, we will be doomed? That reaching out to people and asking help can be actually liberating?
Well, if this is the case and the message then the book did not convince me.
February 7, 2017
My rating: 2.5 stars.
I'm so disappointed with this book. Maybe it was my own fault for getting waaaay too hyped up over it in the first place but man, I expected better. I expected more .
The title of the misled me, I thought "If You Feel Too Much" would contain how-to(s) and what-to-do(s) if you feel too much. But nope, it's basically just a bunch of blog posts he copy pasted, put in order and printed out with a nice cover up front. I don't have beef with blog posts turned into books but this doesn't feel like much of an outcome.
I can't deny Jamie doesn't write nice words and I'm sure his heart is in the right place when he started TWLOHA, but as a heavy appreciator of books and words, his words don't reach me much. They don't really touch me. He says the same things over and over, and while they are true all he's coming off to me is a broken record. He refers to God a lot, and though I am not someone without faith, this honestly felt ruined for me. I wish mental illness did not have to be put near religion and piousness so much.
I am always looking for comfort through the words people say and write, through the books I read, through anything I can get. But in this book, I did not find it.
I very much support TWOLHA and their never ending effort to break through the stigma regarding mental illnesses. My opinion of this book does not change that.
I'm so disappointed with this book. Maybe it was my own fault for getting waaaay too hyped up over it in the first place but man, I expected better. I expected more .
The title of the misled me, I thought "If You Feel Too Much" would contain how-to(s) and what-to-do(s) if you feel too much. But nope, it's basically just a bunch of blog posts he copy pasted, put in order and printed out with a nice cover up front. I don't have beef with blog posts turned into books but this doesn't feel like much of an outcome.
I can't deny Jamie doesn't write nice words and I'm sure his heart is in the right place when he started TWLOHA, but as a heavy appreciator of books and words, his words don't reach me much. They don't really touch me. He says the same things over and over, and while they are true all he's coming off to me is a broken record. He refers to God a lot, and though I am not someone without faith, this honestly felt ruined for me. I wish mental illness did not have to be put near religion and piousness so much.
I am always looking for comfort through the words people say and write, through the books I read, through anything I can get. But in this book, I did not find it.
I very much support TWOLHA and their never ending effort to break through the stigma regarding mental illnesses. My opinion of this book does not change that.
July 15, 2016
I have always loved the non-profit organization To Write Love on her Arms. I have watched the intro video hundreds of times, memorized the monologue, and have an undying love for what they do and what they stand for. That's what made me want to read this book.
Now, I will say, I had different expectations for the book then I think I thought. But I still enjoyed it. The author and co-founder of TWLOHA, Jamie, uses some memorable blog posts from his time since the creation of TWLOHA to formulate this book.
I absolutely loved it. There are some really memorable stories for me. It felt personal, like I got a private view to his life, but it also felt real. He shares thoughts and feelings that we humans are ashamed to admit outloud sometimes. And honestly I needed to hear a lot of this.
I'm in a bit of a rough place in my life, but I know I am not alone. I am 23 years old, I just graduated university with a pretty much useless degree, and I don't really know where I am headed. So I'm scared, and I'm feeling like I'm wasting my life. These feelings are what drove me to pick this book up today. And I am glad I did because a lot of the feelings I am feeling are things addressed in this. It's normal and okay to be down sometimes.
I rated this 4 instead of 5 stars because Jamie is a very religious person. He talks about God and the way God helps him and other humans to cope with things. I am not a religious person in any way so I couldn't relate to this. Near the beginning this was very prominent in the book but really toned down by the halfway mark.
But I really liked this book and I think that it holds some really valuable words inside of it.
Now, I will say, I had different expectations for the book then I think I thought. But I still enjoyed it. The author and co-founder of TWLOHA, Jamie, uses some memorable blog posts from his time since the creation of TWLOHA to formulate this book.
I absolutely loved it. There are some really memorable stories for me. It felt personal, like I got a private view to his life, but it also felt real. He shares thoughts and feelings that we humans are ashamed to admit outloud sometimes. And honestly I needed to hear a lot of this.
I'm in a bit of a rough place in my life, but I know I am not alone. I am 23 years old, I just graduated university with a pretty much useless degree, and I don't really know where I am headed. So I'm scared, and I'm feeling like I'm wasting my life. These feelings are what drove me to pick this book up today. And I am glad I did because a lot of the feelings I am feeling are things addressed in this. It's normal and okay to be down sometimes.
I rated this 4 instead of 5 stars because Jamie is a very religious person. He talks about God and the way God helps him and other humans to cope with things. I am not a religious person in any way so I couldn't relate to this. Near the beginning this was very prominent in the book but really toned down by the halfway mark.
But I really liked this book and I think that it holds some really valuable words inside of it.
October 14, 2015
Alternate titles to this thing.
"Plastic Emotions and Devotions"
"You're Alright, I'm Alright - Let's Hug"
"The Book of Trite"
"Hope is a Four Letter Word"
"A Field Guide to Generic Inspiration"
"The Smiley Face Collection"
"How to Breathe In and Hold it...Forever"
"Happy Dance Your Life, Do It!"
"Nobody Likes the Sad Clown"
"The Hackneyed Days"
"Joy isn't Just a Woman's Name!"
"Yay! We're Not Insane, the World Is!"
Chris Roberts
"Plastic Emotions and Devotions"
"You're Alright, I'm Alright - Let's Hug"
"The Book of Trite"
"Hope is a Four Letter Word"
"A Field Guide to Generic Inspiration"
"The Smiley Face Collection"
"How to Breathe In and Hold it...Forever"
"Happy Dance Your Life, Do It!"
"Nobody Likes the Sad Clown"
"The Hackneyed Days"
"Joy isn't Just a Woman's Name!"
"Yay! We're Not Insane, the World Is!"
Chris Roberts
January 24, 2016
Putting together s bunch of blog entries in a physical book does not make a memoir. And they were repetitive, sappy blogs. Also the whole lowercase I thing really bugged the heck out of me.. Weirdly self aggrandizing in a look at me and see how crazy humble I am way.
August 8, 2015
Sometimes you read a book that comes at just the right time. That was this book. It is poetic, real, and cuts through to my deepest fears and needs. If you need someone to listen, a time to be still, and a moment to be ok with who you are, this book is for you.
June 26, 2017
First, I have to say that I am a huge supporter of To Write Love On Her Arms and have been for many years. It's a great non-profit group/movement that is dedicated to presenting hope & finding help for people suffering from depression, mental illness, addiction, self injury & suicide. The story of how this organization came to be is very interesting, but a bit long, so if you are interested check them out in Facebook or on their website.
This book is a collection of the author's writing over the past 10 years or so. TWLOHA started when he wrote a story about a friend who was struggling, which led to t-shirts and fundraisers for her treatment and eventually a non-profit. The stories are all very interesting and deal with different topics from the authors own struggle with depression, to friends struggling with depression and addiction, family issues, hope, love, etc. It's honestly really the first book dealing with this subject matter that I have read. But I really enjoyed the authors writing, he's very honest which was refreshing when dealing with topics such as these.
Also, this is the first book I've ever listened to as an audio book! The authors narrates and has a very nice, soothing voice.
This book is a collection of the author's writing over the past 10 years or so. TWLOHA started when he wrote a story about a friend who was struggling, which led to t-shirts and fundraisers for her treatment and eventually a non-profit. The stories are all very interesting and deal with different topics from the authors own struggle with depression, to friends struggling with depression and addiction, family issues, hope, love, etc. It's honestly really the first book dealing with this subject matter that I have read. But I really enjoyed the authors writing, he's very honest which was refreshing when dealing with topics such as these.
Also, this is the first book I've ever listened to as an audio book! The authors narrates and has a very nice, soothing voice.
February 6, 2017
Ik heb het gevoel dat alles wat ik over dit boek kan zeggen nog steeds te weinig is. Wat Jamie doet voor TWLOHA, waar hij voor staat en wat hij wil bereiken is zo verschrikkelijk belangrijk. Niet enkel voor mij, maar ook voor zoveel andere mensen, en vooral ook voor Jamie zelf. Dit boek gaat over hijzelf, maar het is eigenlijk iedereens 'story'. Ik geloof in TWLOHA, in wat ze doen en waar ze willen geraken.
Lieve mensen, lees dit boek. Het is belangrijk. Asjeblieft, lees het.
Lieve mensen, lees dit boek. Het is belangrijk. Asjeblieft, lees het.
Want to read
December 5, 20152015-05-15 UPDATE: I just ordered this book today when I got off of work along with another one. They will be shipped to my house in one to two weeks.
My boyfriend is going to be so mad at me.
But I mean, the shipping was free!
---------/end update.
I need this book right now now now now NOW!!
Also, the word "now" starts to look like it's not a real word after you've written it several times in a row.
My boyfriend is going to be so mad at me.
But I mean, the shipping was free!
---------/end update.
I need this book right now now now now NOW!!
Also, the word "now" starts to look like it's not a real word after you've written it several times in a row.
February 8, 2019
I suppose I had more expectations for this one, or maybe I need more experiences in life to come to appreciate what I just read more. Whichever the case is, I loved it but just not enough.
There were parts that I related to so much, parts I felt were written for me, and there were others I just mehed (yes, I just made up a verb) my way through them. I think I related more, and loved more the chapters that were written with more fervour, more emotions, the raw parts and the ones others might write but never share. And that is what I love to read more, the reality of what goes on, no sugar-coating, no repeating that spiritual talk about appreciating what you got and hoping, because that's not us. We are flawed, we are vulnerable, and that's okay.
Here is something the author and I agree on: we all have stories that deserve to be heard. No story is ridiculous, no story should be compared to another one that's presumably "worse", no story is unimportant. All stories matter, we all matter. And that's an important knowledge.
There were parts that I related to so much, parts I felt were written for me, and there were others I just mehed (yes, I just made up a verb) my way through them. I think I related more, and loved more the chapters that were written with more fervour, more emotions, the raw parts and the ones others might write but never share. And that is what I love to read more, the reality of what goes on, no sugar-coating, no repeating that spiritual talk about appreciating what you got and hoping, because that's not us. We are flawed, we are vulnerable, and that's okay.
Here is something the author and I agree on: we all have stories that deserve to be heard. No story is ridiculous, no story should be compared to another one that's presumably "worse", no story is unimportant. All stories matter, we all matter. And that's an important knowledge.
January 25, 2016
(Goodreads ha borrado mi reseña y quiero llorar).
Ha sido la segunda vez que releo esta novela, la primera en papel. He podido marcar y señalar todas aquellas páginas que me hacían sentir viva, que me recordaban que mi historia importa, que mis sueños están ahí por una razón y que tengo el regalo de seguir viva.
Me ha gustado mucho que parecía que fuera la primera vez que lo leía. Disfrutaba de cada historia y cada lección como si no las hubiera leído antes (aunque bueno, para ser sincera, 6 meses después apenas me acordaba). Y aun así, hay frases que he descubierto saberme de memoria. Algo que me encanta. Jamie tiene una forma de hablar del mundo que me llega al corazón. Una forma de verlo todo que cambia vidas. Quiero vivir con If you feel too much como segunda Biblia.
Leyéndolo me lleno de paz. Me recuerda que todo pasa, que hay sueños por los que luchar y otros que hay que dejar marchar. Me recuerda que las personas necesitamos otras personas y que estamos hechos para amar.
Luego salgo de la burbuja y vuelvo a enfurruñarme con el mundo y a verlo todo en blanco y negro, pero la intención es lo cuenta. Y si algo sé, es que "love is a thousand things, but at the center is a choice. (...) I'd like to start making better choices".
Mi libro ha quedado precioso, por cierto <3
Ha sido la segunda vez que releo esta novela, la primera en papel. He podido marcar y señalar todas aquellas páginas que me hacían sentir viva, que me recordaban que mi historia importa, que mis sueños están ahí por una razón y que tengo el regalo de seguir viva.
Me ha gustado mucho que parecía que fuera la primera vez que lo leía. Disfrutaba de cada historia y cada lección como si no las hubiera leído antes (aunque bueno, para ser sincera, 6 meses después apenas me acordaba). Y aun así, hay frases que he descubierto saberme de memoria. Algo que me encanta. Jamie tiene una forma de hablar del mundo que me llega al corazón. Una forma de verlo todo que cambia vidas. Quiero vivir con If you feel too much como segunda Biblia.
Leyéndolo me lleno de paz. Me recuerda que todo pasa, que hay sueños por los que luchar y otros que hay que dejar marchar. Me recuerda que las personas necesitamos otras personas y que estamos hechos para amar.
Luego salgo de la burbuja y vuelvo a enfurruñarme con el mundo y a verlo todo en blanco y negro, pero la intención es lo cuenta. Y si algo sé, es que "love is a thousand things, but at the center is a choice. (...) I'd like to start making better choices".
Mi libro ha quedado precioso, por cierto <3
June 25, 2015
I remember underlying a phrase that Jamie used in telling one of his stories. He spoke about a girl that he met and again, the topic was birthdays. He recalls that 'she said that birthdays made little sense aside from love, without a person to share them with.' (page 82, If You Feel Too Much) Maybe life feels like that at times. Maybe it seems like it isn't worth it or it makes little sense without love or a person to share it with. That is why I think that this book, but ultimately the message found within its pages, is meant for strangers as well. I think it's important to know that we are not alone and that our story matters but it is just as important for others to know that as well. I hope to be someone who comes alongside of strangers and helps them push back the darkness a bit. Life is a beautiful thing when Hope and other people are involved.
Read more of this book review here: http://www.courtneyfricke.com/book-re...
Read more of this book review here: http://www.courtneyfricke.com/book-re...
December 6, 2015
I was really excited to read this book and extremely disappointed about 30 pages in. I thought it would feel more personal, less evangelical, less name dropping. This was not a book of depression it felt he was marking his territory of all the places he had been and people he had touched. With Gods help and with Grace. Had I known it was going to be so religious I wouldn't have touched the thing. The writer didn't seem to exist except to pump the pages full of attempted prose and evangelism.
January 6, 2024
I'll be forever grateful to Jamie Tworkowski and TWLOHA, I found them in a really dark season of my life and can not convey how much their message changed me. I purchased this book immediately after it was released but for some reason, I just hadn't gotten around to reading it. I recently found out that Jamie narrates the audiobook and that was enough to convince me to listen to it. As always, his words were absolutely beautiful and brought me to tears multiple times.
June 18, 2016
"We’re all in this together. It’s okay to be honest. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to say you’re stuck, or that you’re haunted or that you can’t begin to let go. We can all relate to those things. Screw the stigma that says otherwise. Break the silence and break the cycle, for you are more than just your pain. You are not alone. And people need other people."
I admit, I cried over parts of this book. Not because I was upset, but because I too felt too much when I read this.
I've always struggled with my emotions, and If You Feel Too Much really shows the way people struggle to deal with their emotions. Reading this, I found myself nodding at points of it. It was emotional and wonderful to read about something not usually talked about: mental health and the open discussion of your emotions.
A collection of writings and essays written by Jamie Tworkowski throught the years, it's a wonderful group of personal and moving pieces that mean so much. It's a book I am tempted to buy, just so I can highlight sentences and phrases. It's probably the most highlighted book on my Kindle.
If you are ever feeling down, or lost, or just too emotional, this is a perfect book. It's both settling and revealing. I will undoubtedly support TWLOHA and Jamie in the future!
October 1, 2016
Hace tiempo leí un blog que Jamie escribió sobre cumpleaños y una frase en específico me hizo sentir esperanza (de hecho, la memorice para decirla en mis días malos). Sinceramente no sentí curiosidad sobre quién la escribió hasta hace un mes y decidí leer este libro para conocer más sobre Jamie.
Comparto todo esto no por lástima o alguna extraña confesión. Comparto todo esto porque la salud mental es una cosa real. Las cosas sobre las que hablamos —personas necesitando personas, personas necesitando ayuda en momentos— Creo que estas cosas son verdaderas.
If You Feel Too Much está llena de relatos sobre Jamie, su familia, sus amigos, conocidos, sobre quién es, cómo llegó a donde está, cómo comenzó TWLOHA y su lucha con su propia salud mental durante todo eso. Se enfoca mayormente en un punto: Está bien no estar bien, necesitar ayuda y necesitar a otras personas. Personalmente, estoy de acuerdo con lo que dice aunque llega al punto donde se vuelve repetitivo, no las historias sino el mensaje que intenta transmitir.
Si estás buscando un libro que te de esperanza y te ayude con la depresión, éste podría no ser la opción adecuada para ti. Pero si quieres leer sobre alguien que lucha con la depresión, podría gustarte leer sobre la experiencia de Jamie y como yo, podrías sentirte identificado con sus palabras.
December 7, 2015
Absolutely amazing. Full review- http://wp.me/p4LMeC-g5
June 29, 2015
This was the book I was first tempted to write in the margins of, but since I'm not quite ready for that idea yet, I just tagged a ton of pages and put sticky notes everywhere. No joke. This book is filled with some of the most quotable thoughts lately and I just had to mark everything that made me think or feel something amazing, regardless if it was happy or sad.
How I had never heard of TWLOHA before, I do not know. But after reading the original story online and in this book (section two in the book), it is inspiring to know that people everywhere are willing to help you no matter what you are going through. Some of the college girls I work with knew about TWLOHA as soon as they saw me reading IYFTM during my lunch hour and told me that it's very prominent in schools, so I had to do a little background work for myself.
When searching about TWLOHA I came across a post about a tweet that Jared Padalecki (of Supernatural fame, though he will always be Dean from Gilmore Girls to me) wrote which had some followers very concerned and then after having read some more about him and his campaign, I found Always Keep Fighting, that supports TWLOHA and this just amazed me that Jamie could inspire so much with his story and foundation.
The stories you will find in Jamie's book are real. They are hard core emotion and they are wonderful. His writing is inspirational, because he is so honest with what he says.
"We are all in this together. It's okay to be honest. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to say you're stuck, or that you're haunted or that you can't begin to let go.... You are not alone."
There are some wonderful moments captured in time within If You Feel Too Much. Jamie recalls times spent with family and friends both before and after helping others through bouts of depression and losing those he held close.
Remember that life and love are worth fighting for. You matter. And for those not directly struggling, remember that you can't always tell what battle another person might be fighting, so think before you speak and be supportive to those who seem to be having a difficult time.
Be sure to keep some sticky notes and tissue with you when you go to read this book as you'll be inspired to keep track of the thought provoking parts and need tissues for the most touching sections. It brought out a lot of emotion in me and I'm glad that I was asked to review this book. I'll be sure to be watching for more campaigns from TWLOHA.
How I had never heard of TWLOHA before, I do not know. But after reading the original story online and in this book (section two in the book), it is inspiring to know that people everywhere are willing to help you no matter what you are going through. Some of the college girls I work with knew about TWLOHA as soon as they saw me reading IYFTM during my lunch hour and told me that it's very prominent in schools, so I had to do a little background work for myself.
When searching about TWLOHA I came across a post about a tweet that Jared Padalecki (of Supernatural fame, though he will always be Dean from Gilmore Girls to me) wrote which had some followers very concerned and then after having read some more about him and his campaign, I found Always Keep Fighting, that supports TWLOHA and this just amazed me that Jamie could inspire so much with his story and foundation.
The stories you will find in Jamie's book are real. They are hard core emotion and they are wonderful. His writing is inspirational, because he is so honest with what he says.
"We are all in this together. It's okay to be honest. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to say you're stuck, or that you're haunted or that you can't begin to let go.... You are not alone."
There are some wonderful moments captured in time within If You Feel Too Much. Jamie recalls times spent with family and friends both before and after helping others through bouts of depression and losing those he held close.
Remember that life and love are worth fighting for. You matter. And for those not directly struggling, remember that you can't always tell what battle another person might be fighting, so think before you speak and be supportive to those who seem to be having a difficult time.
Be sure to keep some sticky notes and tissue with you when you go to read this book as you'll be inspired to keep track of the thought provoking parts and need tissues for the most touching sections. It brought out a lot of emotion in me and I'm glad that I was asked to review this book. I'll be sure to be watching for more campaigns from TWLOHA.
May 26, 2015
If You Feel Too Much by Jamie Tworkowski is a collection of short essays detailing Jamie's life, travels, projects and beliefs. It is Jamie's personal story, but feels very much like it could belong to anyone. Every person living their life with a question or a worry or a hint (or more) of sadness, of loneliness. The story told in If You Feel Too Much is Jamie's, but it has the power to touch, to connect to so many. To give hope, to spread love. It has the power to make a reader believe it's okay to ask questions, without trying to give them answers. IYFTM is just a man's thoughts and experiences, put to paper. Thoughts and experiences with the power to spread a message of love to anyone willing to listen.
Jamie has a gift for conveying his feelings about a situation, without airing all of his dirty laundry. He can make you sympathetic to an event in his life, without sharing too much. It's a gift that leaves you wondering "what" at times, but his stories are always relatable. His words don't need to be gossipy to engage the reader, and it was something I deeply appreciated about his writing.
It's an easy thing to slip from trying to use one's religious beliefs to impart hope, to coming off as self-righteous. In another writer's hands the stories within If You Feel Too Much could have become tedious or preachy, but Jamie Tworkowski treats God as a thing of beauty, not a thing of judgment or hate. His religious beliefs are solidly sold as his religious beliefs, not meant to be forced upon the reader, but taken as part of his view of the world. I enjoyed Jamie's candidness about his beliefs and would imagine that most readers, despite their own beliefs, can look upon Jamie's words and see the message in them. Hope and love.
Maybe you agree with Jamie's ideas and maybe you don't, but there's something inspirational that comes from being privy to someone else's thoughts. I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but whenever I do I'm always inspired in some way. Whether it's because I agree with them or passionately disagree, there's something to learn from everyone, and that is a huge part of Jamie's message. If you are a fan of non-fiction or, perhaps, need a little inspiration, a little hope, in your life, If You Feel Too Much is a journey through one man's life, and a sign that love and hope exist, if you'll allow yourself to see it.
Jamie has a gift for conveying his feelings about a situation, without airing all of his dirty laundry. He can make you sympathetic to an event in his life, without sharing too much. It's a gift that leaves you wondering "what" at times, but his stories are always relatable. His words don't need to be gossipy to engage the reader, and it was something I deeply appreciated about his writing.
It's an easy thing to slip from trying to use one's religious beliefs to impart hope, to coming off as self-righteous. In another writer's hands the stories within If You Feel Too Much could have become tedious or preachy, but Jamie Tworkowski treats God as a thing of beauty, not a thing of judgment or hate. His religious beliefs are solidly sold as his religious beliefs, not meant to be forced upon the reader, but taken as part of his view of the world. I enjoyed Jamie's candidness about his beliefs and would imagine that most readers, despite their own beliefs, can look upon Jamie's words and see the message in them. Hope and love.
Maybe you agree with Jamie's ideas and maybe you don't, but there's something inspirational that comes from being privy to someone else's thoughts. I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but whenever I do I'm always inspired in some way. Whether it's because I agree with them or passionately disagree, there's something to learn from everyone, and that is a huge part of Jamie's message. If you are a fan of non-fiction or, perhaps, need a little inspiration, a little hope, in your life, If You Feel Too Much is a journey through one man's life, and a sign that love and hope exist, if you'll allow yourself to see it.
May 29, 2015
I love this book! When I read the title of If You Feel Too Much, I knew that this book would be one for me. I live my life feeling as if I DO feel too much, and I was hoping for words of encouragement and wisdom within these pages.
If You Feel Too Much read like poetry. The book is comprised of essays: a writing style that I really enjoy. The format keeps the book from getting repetitive and also each chapter is like a little book in and of itself. I liked reading one or two chapters at a time, then sitting back and thinking about what I'd just read.
The essays are soulful and beautiful. Jamie's writing is lyrical, and the book reads almost like a song. It was definitely a song to my heart. I found myself crying and feeling as though my heart were being filled up with hope, peace and love as I read.
My favorite thing about If You Feel Too Much is the way I felt when I finished reading it. This book gave me hope for our generation, knowing that there are people in the world like Jamie made me feel like we just might be okay after all. He has devoted his life to helping others, and bringing love and light to those who are suffering. I believe that there is no higher calling, and this world is a better place because of Jamie's work.
I highly recommend this beautiful book to anyone and everyone.
If You Feel Too Much read like poetry. The book is comprised of essays: a writing style that I really enjoy. The format keeps the book from getting repetitive and also each chapter is like a little book in and of itself. I liked reading one or two chapters at a time, then sitting back and thinking about what I'd just read.
The essays are soulful and beautiful. Jamie's writing is lyrical, and the book reads almost like a song. It was definitely a song to my heart. I found myself crying and feeling as though my heart were being filled up with hope, peace and love as I read.
My favorite thing about If You Feel Too Much is the way I felt when I finished reading it. This book gave me hope for our generation, knowing that there are people in the world like Jamie made me feel like we just might be okay after all. He has devoted his life to helping others, and bringing love and light to those who are suffering. I believe that there is no higher calling, and this world is a better place because of Jamie's work.
I highly recommend this beautiful book to anyone and everyone.
February 12, 2017
(writing 'I' as 'i' in an attempt to understand why Jamie wrote as such)
i came to know about TWOLHA through Jared Padalecki's Always Keep Fighting campaign.
i ordered this book as a promise to myself. However, when it came, i wasn't really happy to have it. i was really happy back then and thought i wouldn't need it ever. i hid it somewhere i wouldn't see it. But time is not our friend for long. it was only 8 days later, that i needed this.
The book will not tell you how to cope up. But more importantly, why do we need to.
That it is okay, to be haunted, to ask for help, to love. It is okay to grieve on loss, but how important to look around and appreciate what you have.
It tells us that we are only asked to love and offer hope.
We don't get to choose all the endings, but we are asked to play the rescuers.
i can write endlessly about this book but it is not a story about someone. it is about you. it is about all of us.
i tell you to read this book. No, it is not because of some great writing or great story but because it is important. To everyone. If you are suffering, if someone you is suffering and even if you don't know of it.
If you are on the pain side, it gives you hope to find a bridge, walk across that bridge to the other side.
i am not ashamed to say i would be carrying this with me throughout my life.
Love is real. Hope is real.
i came to know about TWOLHA through Jared Padalecki's Always Keep Fighting campaign.
i ordered this book as a promise to myself. However, when it came, i wasn't really happy to have it. i was really happy back then and thought i wouldn't need it ever. i hid it somewhere i wouldn't see it. But time is not our friend for long. it was only 8 days later, that i needed this.
The book will not tell you how to cope up. But more importantly, why do we need to.
That it is okay, to be haunted, to ask for help, to love. It is okay to grieve on loss, but how important to look around and appreciate what you have.
It tells us that we are only asked to love and offer hope.
We don't get to choose all the endings, but we are asked to play the rescuers.
i can write endlessly about this book but it is not a story about someone. it is about you. it is about all of us.
i tell you to read this book. No, it is not because of some great writing or great story but because it is important. To everyone. If you are suffering, if someone you is suffering and even if you don't know of it.
If you are on the pain side, it gives you hope to find a bridge, walk across that bridge to the other side.
i am not ashamed to say i would be carrying this with me throughout my life.
Love is real. Hope is real.
July 13, 2015
This book is very touching. My favorite part, even though it may seem inconsequential, is that the author chose to use a lowercase "i" to represent himself. You rarely see that. Jamie is writing to draw attention to issues that are deeply personal, like depression, suicide, substance abuse, and his own battle with loneliness. All of these things are large, encompassing, and bigger than an individual or a moment. It is well-done, and I enjoyed this collection of stories.
For the most part, If You Feel Too Much: Thoughts on Things Found and Lost and Hoped For is a written version of things that can be found at www.twolha.com. I have a great deal of respect for To Write Love on Her Arms and the work it does, and this book will probably help or inspire many. It is full of great quotes and words of hope, and it sends a positive message. It is also short and very readable.
For the most part, If You Feel Too Much: Thoughts on Things Found and Lost and Hoped For is a written version of things that can be found at www.twolha.com. I have a great deal of respect for To Write Love on Her Arms and the work it does, and this book will probably help or inspire many. It is full of great quotes and words of hope, and it sends a positive message. It is also short and very readable.
November 15, 2016
Jamie is one of the sweetest people I've ever come across and even though I've never met him, I feel like I know so much about him and his life because of how personal this series of essays is. It's truly a look into this man's incredibly large heart.
It was also amazing to open this book up and see a forward note by one of my favorite human beings, Jon Foreman, who if you don't know is the lead singer of Switchfoot; as well as to see the rest of the band mentioned in the acknowledgements. And a brief mention of Mat Kearney, whose music I also enjoy and who I have also seen in concert.
This broke me. It gave me hope. It made me cry. It made me want to be a better person. I think every single human being in this planet would come away from this book with something. It's that powerful.
It was also amazing to open this book up and see a forward note by one of my favorite human beings, Jon Foreman, who if you don't know is the lead singer of Switchfoot; as well as to see the rest of the band mentioned in the acknowledgements. And a brief mention of Mat Kearney, whose music I also enjoy and who I have also seen in concert.
This broke me. It gave me hope. It made me cry. It made me want to be a better person. I think every single human being in this planet would come away from this book with something. It's that powerful.
August 22, 2015
This book is a life saver and I wish I read it back when I was going through a hard depression. I liked how simple and easy is this book. I liked Jamie's so much and I hope that one day I'll neet him. The book highlights an important issue that most of are going or went through. Depression.
Few things I didn't like about the book though, there's some kind of repetition in thr words. And the over mentioning of TWLOHA make it sound like an advertising book.
anyways, a 5/5 book.
and if you feel yoo much, this is a must read!
Few things I didn't like about the book though, there's some kind of repetition in thr words. And the over mentioning of TWLOHA make it sound like an advertising book.
anyways, a 5/5 book.
and if you feel yoo much, this is a must read!
December 10, 2015
I absolutely loved this book . Jamie is such an amazing person in his words and his speeches . To Write Love On Her Arms gave me hope for better things when life wasn't the greatest . TWLOHA taught me that everyone is a living story and has a story to tell. TWLOHA is an organization that can help anyone no matter what religion , race , sexuality , gender etc. I recommend this book and this organization to everyone.
May 28, 2015
"You’ll need coffee shops and sunsets and road trips. Airplanes and passports and new songs and old songs, but people more than anything else. You will need other people, and you will need to be that other person to someone else, a living breathing screaming invitation to believe better things."
April 12, 2016
I know there are plenty of lost hurting people out there. People who need to hear this author's voice, his inspirational words of advice is directed towards the depressed & desperate. (His mission is helping suicidal people overcome depression). But it ain't me babe, it ain't me your searching for babe!
January 7, 2017
This book is so beautifully, wonderfully, poetically written. I love TWLOHA and everything it stands for, and this book is a lovely and heart-wrenching anthem. The passion for hope and healing on every page is contagious. This is absolutely a book I will refer back to and reread over and over.
September 16, 2015
Absolutely beautiful! There are so many wonderful truths in this book, but the biggest one is that YOU MATTER. Yes, you. Your story is important and deserves to be told. If you are struggling, seek help. Choose to fight against all the darkness. Life is worth living.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 490 reviews