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Self-Care for the Creative: A Survival Guide for Creatives, Empaths and Highly Sensitive People
Self-Care for the Creative is part memoir, part survival manual, and part pep talk for empaths, highly sensitive people, and artists who are burning themselves out in pursuit of their craft. Fryzel draws on her own life of gritty lows, career highs, and all the messy middle, to explain how sensitivity and creativity often walk hand in hand, and why that combination demands intentional care. The book blends personal stories, practical tips, and a hefty dose of humor to guide readers through setting boundaries, managing overwhelm, and building a self-care toolkit that actually works in the unpredictable life of a creative.
Fryzel writes with a voice that is equal parts tender and unapologetic. She’s funny without being flippant, and her swearing isn’t there for shock value; it’s exactly how a real conversation with her would sound. I appreciated that she never veered into airy, vague “just love yourself” territory. Instead, she gave concrete, actionable steps, all while weaving in stories that made me laugh, wince, and occasionally nod in recognition. That mix of vulnerability and authority made me trust her completely.
What I liked most was how well she captures the emotional reality of being both highly creative and highly sensitive. She doesn’t romanticize the struggle or paint it as a necessary price for great art. She calls out toxic patterns, talks openly about depression and burnout, and reminds the reader that martyrdom isn’t a badge of honor. At the same time, she treats sensitivity as a superpower worth protecting. Her framing felt liberating, especially for those of us who have been told our feelings are “too much” for as long as we can remember. The book also gave me a few new self-care strategies that I immediately wanted to try.
I’d recommend this book to any creative who feels overwhelmed, stuck, or simply too drained to make their best work. It’s especially powerful for empaths and highly sensitive people who haven’t yet learned how to protect their energy without shutting down their gifts. If you’ve ever felt like your art is costing you more than it’s giving back, Fryzel’s words might just be the reminder you need to step back, take a breath, and start taking care of the most important tool you have… yourself.
Pages: 369 | ASIN : B0CLK5HRQ8
Cool Continuum – Make Your Mark in the Arts
Cool Continuum, by Jason Comely, provides an intriguing framework for understanding the evolution and classification of artists across various disciplines. It introduces a five-tier model: Outsider, Rebel, Artisan, Innovator, and Genius, examining the journey and traits of artists at each level. By profiling a diverse array of creators, from Syd Barrett and Tony Bennett to Björk and Bob Dylan, The author presents a dynamic spectrum that reflects the fluidity of artistic growth rather than a rigid hierarchy.
Comely’s approach to categorizing artists is refreshingly holistic. He avoids placing value judgments on different levels, emphasizing instead each artist’s contributions to their field. The book’s strength lies in its ability to challenge traditional notions of artistic achievement. For instance, by highlighting figures like Syd Barrett, categorized as a Rebel, author Jason Comely underscores how defiance and unconventionality can lead to groundbreaking contributions, even if they come at the expense of personal stability. The profiles are well-researched and thoughtfully chosen, offering a comprehensive view of each artist’s impact on their respective genres.
While the writing style is rich in descriptive detail, lending an academic depth to the book, it occasionally shifts from the engaging, conversational tone it initially sets. The book’s structure is impressively comprehensive and showcases a wide array of artists across various disciplines. This broad scope enriches the reader’s understanding, but I feel it can occasionally make transitions between artist profiles feel distinct rather than seamlessly connected. While I think this approach offers a diverse perspective, I would have enjoyed a more cohesive narrative thread to tie the individual profiles together more smoothly.
One of the book’s most compelling aspects is its practical guide for artists at various stages of their careers. Comely offers actionable advice for aspiring and emerging artists, such as identifying one’s position on the continuum and setting goals accordingly. This section is particularly valuable as it provides a roadmap for personal growth and artistic development and transforms Cool Continuum from a theoretical framework into a useful tool for self-reflection and career planning.
Cool Continuum, by Jason Comely, is a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the arts, from practitioners to enthusiasts. Its innovative approach to understanding artistic evolution and practical insights make it a valuable addition to the field.
Pages: 201 | ASIN : B0CF9VFKNF
Unfinished: The Inspired Life of Elisabetta Sirani
Elisabetta Sirani, the subject of Unfinished: The Inspired Life of Elisabetta Sirani by Kelly Evans, was an Italian woman who lived in the seventeenth century. She faced numerous challenges as a result of her gender. Her life from age 9 until she died at age 27 is chronicled in the book, as are the challenges she had to overcome just because she was a woman living in the 1600s. This book provides a look into the life of an incredible artist who broke through gender barriers to achieve her dreams of becoming one of the most prominent women artists of the seventeenth century.
I enjoyed reading this historical fiction novel as it is one of my favorite genres to read. The author has done an excellent job of making readers feel like they knew Elisabetta, and they will really want to see her succeed. Andrea, Elisabetta’s famous artist father, was almost the villain as he constantly doubted his daughter’s skill simply because she was a woman.
My favorite aspect of this book was the relationship between Elisabetta and her sister, Barbara. I consider it to be one of the book’s primary focuses, and the bond that was formed between them allowed me to connect even more with the characters.
I appreciated the book’s history, information, themes of love and optimism. I liked learning about the baroque art era as I was not as familiar with it. Elisabetta’s works and commissions were exhibited throughout the narrative. The epilogue also gives historical context. Elisabetta Sirani is someone who was able to achieve success in a time when it was challenging for women to be taken seriously. Her story is one of perseverance in the face of adversity and is sure to inspire many readers.
Unfinished: The Inspired Life of Elisabetta Sirani is a fictional account of Elisabetta Sirani’s life based on factual information. This biographical fiction gives readers a look into the artist’s life with enough truth to understand the hardships she faced as a woman in the 1600s.
Pages: 357 | ASIN : B09Q1CHBWM
Jagdlied: A Chamber Novel for Narrator, Musicians, Pantomimists, Dancers & Culinary Artists
The very fabric of her being is coming undone. She has always lived such a sheltered life, she is not ready for the massive shift that is about to take place in her life. The socialite is heiress to a fortune earned through investments and work at a multinational. She is faced with all sorts of questions about life and even touches on the possibility of a world without art. This princess will learn a few things the hard way. She will be bruised and knocked around a few times, but such is life.
The author has skillfully crafted a tale of sour love, questionable characters, jealousy and revenge. The story is told vividly and imaginatively. It is a thrilling literary ride through the protagonist’s experiences as a princess whose castle is falling apart by the brick. On one hand, you feel bad for her but on the other you would rather not bother. This quality leaves the reader so gloriously torn between the characters of the book. Not to mention glued to the pages as the story unfolds.
This story is told in an unusual tone. A tone that is quite indescribable but is quite fitting for the story and characters therein. The grammar is impeccable. The sentences are artfully crafted with relatively simple language. The reader will find themselves quite easily drawn into the story. The unusual tone and a touch of simplicity for the complex plot are welcoming and appealing. They beg the reader to read just one more page. To find out what happens next and then next. The term- page turner- was coined for this book.
The characters are well developed. Each has a quality that the reader will identify with. There is a certain intrinsic quality that just makes the characters quite lovely to dabble with. A certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ so to speak. This quality in the character development is consistent throughout the book, but makes it so hard when the book comes to an end. The trio really did a good job with this.
To the intrigued reader, beware, this book is quite a dirty sex crazed romp. Conservatives better brace themselves, keep a bible handy, and an open mind because you will hate how much you enjoy the erotic quality of this book. Rarely does a book possess so many winning qualities. Humor, drama, erotica, tragedy and much more. All delivered with expert craftsmanship and a generous dose of thrill. The erotica may be a little strong for some but if read with an open and relaxed mind, this is a very enjoyable and entertaining ride.
LITERARY TITAN 