Book Review - Dear Stranger, I Know How You Feel

Book Title - Dear Stranger, I Know How You Feel

Author - Ashish Bagrecha

Genre - Personal Development and Self-Help

Number of Pages - 183 (30 chapters)

Reading time - 2 hours 14 mins (as per Kindle suggestion)

My Ratings - 🍪🍪🍪

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This book is a great read, as it reminds us that mental health is just as important as physical health. The author, Ashish shares 30 heartwarming letters and poems talking about 30 mind mentalities and problems one goes through in life. From dealing with loss, failure, negativity, emptiness, self-harm, to health, second chances, love, purpose, forgiveness, and many more...

I read the Kindle edition and having recently subscribed to Amazon Prime account. I got access to their Prime reading library, which allows me to borrow 10 books for free at a time. How cool is that! So, I'm making the most out of this offer! Now back to the review.

The author Ashish is well-known for his Instagram poems and what started as a social media experiment turned him into penning down his thoughts and experiences into this book.

Main Takeaways

Dear Stranger is for all those who are feeling low, depressed, vulnerable, and anxious about their life in general.

It is also for those who want to experience kindness, love, forgiveness, success, and happiness.

This book is a great reminder that you are not alone in this universe and that your life matters.

The author uses a conversational style of writing, where you feel like he is beside you talking to you and lending you his shoulder to cry. The letters are very comforting to read.

Kindness, gratitude, and happiness were my favorite chapters to read from this book.

Learning to find hope within the desolation and choosing to be kind and thankful despite the odds. What a wonderful reminder to always choose to be kind, grateful, and happy!

The chapter on self-harm was an eye-opener for me. Detailing the slitting out one's wrist and explaining the thoughts running through that person's mind was shocking for me to read. Nevertheless, the author's advice and suggestions were so uplifting. It felt like someone finally understands the feeling the person goes through at that moment.

What I learned from this book is to allow yourself as well as others to feel the emotions and release the pain without judgement or advice.

Ideas and Suggestions

Like any self-help book, the basic premise is that the reader makes an earnest effort to inculcate the ideas and suggestions in order to improve and change their life. Similarly, this book is no different it suggests the following:

Start the day with positive affirmations and end the day with things you are grateful for.

Practice mindful meditation to reconnect with your soul. Take each day as an opportunity to make your way towards the light.

Allow yourself to feel - the anger, despair, hurt, and pain and then channel that energy in a constructive manner.

Set goals, meet them, pursue fulfillment relentlessly, and celebrate successes.

Smile more, put love and positivity in everything you do.

Take each day as it comes as you have the power to change and overcome that negative voice in your head.

Start a journal. Allow yourself the time to reflect and organize your thoughts and feelings.

Reread the letters when in times of pain and muster the strength to carry on. Look beyond your struggles and begin working on your recovery.

When the going gets tough, reach out to a doctor or counselor or look for help in your community. Talk to someone, and share your feelings. You are not alone.

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Awesome Quotes

The truth is you are at war with yourself that's why you find yourself at war with others

Maybe you'll never know, why I never said a word, why I pushed you away, why I buried my feelings, why I chained my heart and hid it's key under the deepest sea because I couldn't allow you to drown in the never-ending chaos which was only mine

You weren't born with a heartbreak, you won't die with one, then why live with it? This world has so much to offer, you deserve better. Accept, allow. Embrace, evolve

Don't let yourself be bogged down by life's hurdles; embrace every opportunity to feel happy

My Ratings: 🍪🍪🍪

I liked the book, no doubt about it. Then why didn't I give it 5 cookie stars, well I wish the author had included some sort of daily worksheet or check-ins. That the reader could implement when going through a particular state of mind. He does talk about his letters as a life guide that can offer support and understanding.

I would have preferred suggestions as to what one must do after every letter than summarizing it towards the end. Like suggesting someone going through emotional pain to go for short walks, dance to uplifting music, find a new hobby, adopt a pet, if the pain is still unbearable contact the prevention helpline numbers or do volunteering work something on that lines.

But overall, the author has definitely done a good job keeping the hopes up reminding us that he will hold our hand and help us come out of whatever mountain of a situation we may be in right now.

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If you enjoyed this, you might want to check out my other book reviews.

Keywords: book review, self-help book, dear stranger I know how you feel, Indian author, Ashish Bagrecha, quick read, motivational, inspirational, healing, hopeful, books