I’m delighted to be joined by Kate Portman today who is sharing #TenThings she’d like her readers to know about her and her book. Kate is behind the award winning blog Pouting in Heels so you may already know a bit about her. Read on to find out more. You’ll find my review after Katie’s #TenThings Thanks to Kelly at Love Books Tours for inviting me to be part of the tour. You can order your copy of the book here: A Little Pick me Up
1) I do my best work/ writing first thing in the morning as soon as I wake.
2) I have been told I have psychic abilities and have had many weird and wonderful experiences regarding this, particularly over the past ten years.
3) My favourite cities in the world are Paris, Rome and Manchester! I’d happily live in any of them.
4) My professional mission is ultimately to help women feel better about themselves and I try to make sure that this is at the core of everything I do.
5) I’m currently exploring a passion I’ve had for a long time and am training to be a personal stylist!
6) I recently did some research on my family history and discovered that I’m a descendant of gypsies (which could explain the psychic abilities?)
7) It may be ‘woo woo’ for some but I believe the universe constantly provides us with signs. I see repetitive numbers every day (such as 11.11, 22.22, 444) and I continually find feathers in the weirdest of places.
8) As a writer, I believe the biggest obstacle that stops us finishing a piece of work or even starting a new one, is fear. Once you recognise that, I think it becomes a little easier to tackle.
9) The hardest thing I think women have to tackle is their own inner negative voice. Generally, we’re all far too hard on ourselves.
10) I read all kinds of books, but my favourites include: Room by Emma Donaghue, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks and What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey.
My thoughts
A Little Pick Me Up is an inspiring little book which is easy to read and easy to relate to.
Several themes are examined – jealousy, fear, dread, powerlessness, regret, guilt, hate. The author reminds us of the negative impact they can all have on our lives. She also comments that we don’t know what’s happening in someone’s life, that nobody’s life is perfect no matter how it may appear.
The book encourages us to recognise and use negative thoughts and feelings to work on ways to improve ourselves and make ourselves feel better. Remember that people may well be jealous of you! We should consciously look for things in our lives every day to be grateful for. This really can make a difference.
The are helpful little pick-ups to take away at the end of each chapter, summarising the main points and what we can learn from each negative emotion. The one piece of advice I’m going to take with me from this book is “Just aim to be the best version of you at any age“. Wise words indeed.
A Little Pick Me Up is written in a friendly, positive and encouraging style and I really recommend it to anyone who is feeling down about life or themselves. Do pick up this book because as the title suggests, it really will give you a boost. I think I agreed with every single word written, there was so much common sense and encouraging words. I am going to try to remember some of the thoughts and suggestions and apply them to my life whenever I need a little pick me up.
From the back of the book
Since the beginning of time, women have been made to feel bad about themselves. From our dress sizes to our careers, from our parenting skills to simply having an opinion, modern women come under immense, relentless pressure to look and behave in certain ways.
The stories we tell ourselves can lead to some dark emotions. They can even result in us hating ourselves – and other women.
It doesn’t have to be this way, though. We just need to realise our power, our value and our worth.
This book, if you allow it to, could change your life…
In a deeply personal book, award-winning blogger Katie Portman talks candidly about her own challenges as a woman and shares the tools she uses to overcome them. She invites fellow females to open their eyes to the beauty, power and potential that exists within them.
How would your life change if you truly believed ‘I AM GOOD ENOUGH’?
More about the author
Katie is an honorary Yorkshirewoman; she originally hailed from Lancashire and moved to Barnsley with her headteacher husband, Jamie, a couple of decades ago. They have two beautiful children, Elsie and Leo.
Katie is on social media, you can connect with her there.
Facebook: @poutinginheels
Twitter: @KateLPortman
Instagram: @poutinginheels
Portobello Book Blog 