You only know how to escape hell if you’ve been stuck there yourself.
This is the book I wrote for people who are about to lose their shit. It was forged through the hardest decade of my life, and sharpened by every storytelling, psychology, and communication skill I learned to survive, rebuild, and help others do the same.
Who this book is for:
This book is for anyone who’s looked at the world recently and thought, “Yeah, no, this is a flaming dumpster fire.”
People who are overwhelmed, burnt out, or feeling like they’re about to lose their shit.
Readers who hate traditional self‑help books because they’re too long, too preachy, or too much like homework.
Festivals, companies, and teams who want an upfront, funny, practical approach to resilience, storytelling, and strategies to get through it.
So….what is it?
An anti‑self‑help self‑help book. It’s short. It’s funny. It swears. It’s real. And it’s actually…useful. Because it should be useful!
Written by someone who KNOWS what that when-will-this-ever-end feels like. Not someone who’s broken a nail, or felt a little wobbly for a week.
You get one‑sentence pages, short stories, activities, playlists, and rabbit‑poo‑size nuggets of wisdom that you can actually use when you’re trying to calm down in your car, or hiding in your secret crying closet.
No lectures.
No having to read 40 pages a chapter every single day.
No toxic positivity.
No “just try harder” bullshit.
Just tools that work when everything feels like too much.
What makes this one different?
Because it’s built from real life, not theory.
Most self‑help books are written by people who read a lot of other self‑help books.
This one is written by someone who’s had to figure out how to survive with very little help and a lot of swearing.
It’s designed for:
People with fried brains who can’t focus on long chapters.
Readers who want something they can dip into for five minutes and still get value from.
Anyone who’s ever thought, “I know what I should do, I just can’t make myself do it.”
Each section is short enough to read in one go, but sharp enough to actually shift something. BOOM! You got it.
How this book connects to my work with organisations
The book distils the same principles I use in my talks, workshops, and consulting with festivals, companies, and creative organisations, like:
Story as survival: how the narratives we’re given shape what we believe is possible, and how to rewrite them.
Outsider strategies: practical tools for people who’ve been told they are “too much”, “not enough”, or “don’t fit.”
Communication under pressure: how to think, speak, and connect when you’re overwhelmed, sad, or just DONE with bullshit.
Behavioural psychology in real life: small bits of information and usable actions that can change how people think about themselves, others, and how to turn things around.
If you’re responsible for talent development, wellbeing, or communication in your organisation, I can bring these ideas into keynotes, workshops, and training sessions tailored to your team.
What People Are Saying about Good Stuff to Read When You’re About to Lose Your Shit
"Your book, man. It's fucking brilliant. I have never read anything that I resonated with so passionately."
"Bravo, it was a great read!"
"Couldn't agree with you more sweetheart. When you follow what lights you up, the rest does come together - your path, your people, your power. Thank you."
Author and podcaster Nat Woodfox-
“Amanda Graham’s take on a self-help book is nothing like you’ve read before! Clear cut, to the point…and honest! Every page is a print worthy masterpiece of information. From her wilderness years to connecting the dots, Amanda tells it how it is.
Upbeat, and inspiring, Amanda breaks down each chapter in to bite size nuggets, with sections such as Storytime, Hold Up Now, Science Baby, Top Tips, and more! Also, there’s an extensive links section at the back of the book, covering everything, (and I mean everything!), so that you don’t have to faff around to find it yourself. Genius!
If you’re lost and have no idea as to ‘what happens next’ then this book is for you, Amanda will guide you through, and help you to connect your own dots, without ever having to lose your shit!”
"I just finished your book. I want to tell you that I really loved it. It was fresh, and funny, and REAL. And most importantly, actually useful, which tends to be something severely lacking in most self-help books."
"OMG!!! Whattttttt?!?! Ok I'm reading the intro and you, this and that are absolutely relatable, an aha read and super hilarious! I can tell I'm not gonna be able to contain myself holding this intense feeling that I must finish it immediately (and I'm sure read it over and over)"
