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Individual readers
Learn what is inside the book, how it can be used and where to buy a copy.
Discover the bookThe Company Of Smiles
Creating connections between people and life.
Books, drawings and practical ideas to help life feel more manageable, more connected and a little more joyful.
The book
How to Love
and Be Loved
An illustrated, interactive wellbeing book with activities, reflections, worksheets and space to build your own Life Manual.
Paperback · £12.99
Founder and author of ‘How to Love and Be Loved’
Reader reviews
What readers are saying
A beautiful and accessible book full of simple practical tips to help lift mood and appreciate life. I found gratitudes, sky on your head, living without stress. I’ve already bought and gifted another copy. Definitely recommend.
Reader review
How to Love and Be Loved is to feeling good about yourself what Alan Carr's book was to stopping smoking.
Reader review
The author has found a way of giving you part of herself whilst encouraging you to grow, explore your own vulnerability and create your own journey in a safe space.
Reader review
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Institutions
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Institutional enquiriesThe story behind the book
Why I Wrote This Book
I observed that many people were finding life very hard, discovered that neuroscience had made some important breakthroughs, noticed our daily habits were part of our problems, and realised that unless you geeked out on research like I do, you'd be unaware of the answers. I thought if I could share my knowledge, I could help loads of people experience less pain and more joy, millions even.
Indigo Violet
A free spirit in ink
Meet Indigo Violet
My best friend shared my sense of humour, but my best friend was no longer around and I couldn't remember the last time I laughed, danced freely, or even did some art. Then I was given a box of inks, I began doodling, and out of my ink box climbed Indigo Violet, the essence of my bestie. A free spirit with a mischievous sense of humour, Indigo Violet made me laugh. Laughter felt good and Indigo Violet encouraged it. So I indulged her. Indigo became my muse. “What would Indigo do?” I would wonder, and follow her lead. She led the way for each chapter of my book and insisted I create many illustrations.
Made to be used
What's inside
Illustrative stories, informative drawings, insightful quotes, fillable worksheets, scientific explanations, and final reflections. My favourite books are the ones that use stories to explain the point, so that's what I did. My favourite information has an evidence base to back it up, so my science explanations do. My non-bookish kids read only ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ format books, so I used that format, with 130 drawings. My retained learning comes from summaries at the end of chapters, so I created end summaries.
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Spaces to Journal and Join In
It's yours to mark up with oily thumbprints and highlighter pens. Its value will be decreed by the scribbles in the margins, the turned down corners, the sticky notes hanging out and the crinkled bit from where it got damp being read in the bath.
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Neurodiversity Friendly Design
If your eyes ever ache from trying to read, you'll find the creamy paper kinder. If rows of text trick you where the next line starts, you'll find the wide row spacing helps you track correctly. If you're easily overwhelmed or distracted, the short paragraphs and chunks will be manageable. If words lose their meaning when too many, then stories will talk to you better. If pictures mean more than words, I've included 130 for you.
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Your Life Manual
I show you how to write a Life Manual. A manual personalised just for you, full of tips and strategies that you can test and find what works for you. Techniques and habits to keep you well, keep you going, help you follow your dreams. A manual that once written you can refer to whenever you need some help to get back on track.