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Start where you are
In dit inzichtrijke invulboek combineert Meera Lee Patel wijze citaten met inspirerende opdrachten die je op alle mogelijke manieren – door te schrijven, te tekenen, lijstjes te maken en nog veel meer – aansporen om over jezelf en het leven na te denken. Hoe ben je gekomen waar je nu bent? Welke keuzes heb je gemaakt? Dit boek helpt je niet alleen daar te komen, maar geeft je onderweg ook meer inzicht in jezelf.
Met prachtig geïllustreerde quotes van schrijvers, artiesten en visionairs als Roald Dahl, Anne Frank en Virginia Woolf is Start Where You Are een krachtige manier om positieve verandering teweeg te brengen.
Meera Lee Patel is illustratrice, woont in Brooklyn, New York en is auteur van Start Where You Are en My friend fear. Haar eerste boek werd vertaald in elf landen en er werden wereldwijd 285.000 exemplaren verkocht. Kenmerkend voor haar werk zijn haar kleurrijke hand-letteringfonts en tekeningen. Met haar prachtige illustraties en teksten is zij in staat om mensen te inspireren om na te denken wat nu echt belangrijk voor ze is en om verandering in hun leven teweeg te brengen.
Met prachtig geïllustreerde quotes van schrijvers, artiesten en visionairs als Roald Dahl, Anne Frank en Virginia Woolf is Start Where You Are een krachtige manier om positieve verandering teweeg te brengen.
Meera Lee Patel is illustratrice, woont in Brooklyn, New York en is auteur van Start Where You Are en My friend fear. Haar eerste boek werd vertaald in elf landen en er werden wereldwijd 285.000 exemplaren verkocht. Kenmerkend voor haar werk zijn haar kleurrijke hand-letteringfonts en tekeningen. Met haar prachtige illustraties en teksten is zij in staat om mensen te inspireren om na te denken wat nu echt belangrijk voor ze is en om verandering in hun leven teweeg te brengen.
136 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2015
About the author
Meera Lee Patel
19 books179 followersMeera Lee Patel is a self-taught artist, writer, and internationally recognized best-selling author. She writes books that help people connect with themselves, each other, and the world around them. Her books & journals for everyone have sold well over a million copies and have been translated into more than a dozen languages worldwide.
Her latest book, How it Feels to Find Yourself, is a vibrant guide towards deeper self-knowing. Through illustrated palettes, honest essays, and insightful questions for reflection, Patel encourages you to sharpen your internal compasses—so you can discover your purpose, let go of what you’ve outgrown, and navigate challenging relationships with greater confidence.
Her other books include My Friend Fear: Finding Magic in the Unknown, as well as 3 best-selling journals: Create Your Own Calm, Made Out of Stars, and Start Where You Are.
She writes a weekly newsletter, Dear Somebody, on Substack: meeraleepatel.substack.com.
Meera lives with her family in St. Louis, MO. To learn more about her, please visit www.meeralee.com.
Her latest book, How it Feels to Find Yourself, is a vibrant guide towards deeper self-knowing. Through illustrated palettes, honest essays, and insightful questions for reflection, Patel encourages you to sharpen your internal compasses—so you can discover your purpose, let go of what you’ve outgrown, and navigate challenging relationships with greater confidence.
Her other books include My Friend Fear: Finding Magic in the Unknown, as well as 3 best-selling journals: Create Your Own Calm, Made Out of Stars, and Start Where You Are.
She writes a weekly newsletter, Dear Somebody, on Substack: meeraleepatel.substack.com.
Meera lives with her family in St. Louis, MO. To learn more about her, please visit www.meeralee.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
November 20, 2016
I love journals that have writing prompts. The problem, sometimes, is that just filling in the journal prompts might take your entire life and you'd never really get around to doing anything else. Not so in this book. The prompts are just long enough to get your motor going but not so long that you find yourself in a cross country trip. Beautiful illustrations, too.
May 1, 2024
Read this book of famous quotes. Useful and thought provoking quotes to apply for yourself. This book also accompany the author's questions about you and how you will apply the quotes for yourself. Example: "If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." Roald Dahl accompanied by "what are three thoughts that made you smile today?" And "I Am Not Afraid, I Was Born to Do This" Joan of Arc accompanied with "What is your greatest motivation in life?" This book is great! It gives you the opportunity to think about yourself and improve yourself and understand yourself better. This book is organized in different fonts and colors so it looks nice. Some loopy fonts are a bit harder to read than others for me anyhow but I like the different shapes and sizes.
Thank you TarcherPerigee for the opportunity to read and review.
Thank you TarcherPerigee for the opportunity to read and review.
January 27, 2022
❤The only journey is the one within.❤
❤If you find yourself in the wrong story, leave.❤
❤Dismiss whatever insults your own soul.❤
❤If you find yourself in the wrong story, leave.❤
❤Dismiss whatever insults your own soul.❤
November 28, 2018
I liked Meera Lee Patel's other book My Friend Fear so much that I was SO happy to find this book/journal last night.
This book helps you find out who you are and what you want and what your goals and dreams are, it's a sort of questionnaire, without multiple answers, Meera asks questions and you answer, every page has an inspirational quote and an illustration. In the end, you might get closer to yourself.
This book helps you find out who you are and what you want and what your goals and dreams are, it's a sort of questionnaire, without multiple answers, Meera asks questions and you answer, every page has an inspirational quote and an illustration. In the end, you might get closer to yourself.
April 10, 2019
This is a journal with prompts on each page to explore yourself on a deep level. Questions like:
1. If you could only 4 possessions, what would they be?
2. What are 10 dreams that have not come true YET?
3. What are things/ideas/etc. that you wish you could leave behind?
4. What are 3 ideas that you fundamentally disagree with and why?
5. Describe something about yourself that pushes people away? And describe how that thing connects you?
I wrote a few pages every morning that coincided with my "mothers morning basket". And each night/every other night, I would discuss with Hubby and he would answer the same questions in return. It made for more interesting conversation besides pleasantries and day events. ;) (Also, on a side note, I think it would be great for intentional date chatter...like at a coffee shop.)
This author has other journals too! Obviously I think every living person should complete this!
1. If you could only 4 possessions, what would they be?
2. What are 10 dreams that have not come true YET?
3. What are things/ideas/etc. that you wish you could leave behind?
4. What are 3 ideas that you fundamentally disagree with and why?
5. Describe something about yourself that pushes people away? And describe how that thing connects you?
I wrote a few pages every morning that coincided with my "mothers morning basket". And each night/every other night, I would discuss with Hubby and he would answer the same questions in return. It made for more interesting conversation besides pleasantries and day events. ;) (Also, on a side note, I think it would be great for intentional date chatter...like at a coffee shop.)
This author has other journals too! Obviously I think every living person should complete this!
August 12, 2015
A lovely interactive journal filled w/ famous quotes and colorful artwork meant to inspire readers on a journey of self-discovery. I found lots of teacher inspiration and some bulletin board ideas. Unlike other interactive journals, this one is "quiet" and contemplative. It would make a lovely gift, too.
September 12, 2015
This little journal is filled with inspiring quotes and writing prompts, all beautifully drawn in watercolor. I've been using the writing prompts for ideas in a separate journal-- it's just too cute to write in.
August 18, 2017
Check out my review here: https://thepaigeturnerblog.wordpress....
August 13, 2015
This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet website on 8/13/15.
We just got done looking at Goldie Hawn’s “10 Mindful Minutes: A Journal” and here I am back, BAM, with “Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration” by Meera Lee Patel. Trust me, these two journals are totally different from one another, so you’re going to want to keep reading.
Patel’s journal comes from a unique, but familiar perspective. How often have you put change on hold because things weren’t where you thought they should be for you to make that change? I’ve done. Patel, the author, has done. Odds are good that you’ve done, or maybe you’re doing it now. “Start Where You Are” encourages you to stop looking, and waiting, for that other day, and to instead start where you are. Her journal asks probing, thought provoking questions to help you find out more about yourself: what you really love, your motivations, how see yourself and how you feel others perceive you, and more. However she does mix it up. Sometimes the journal will just ask a question for you to answer, but other times you’re drawing pictures, or filling in circles or other shapes, or coloring in a drawing.
Along with her journaling exercises, Patel includes inspiring quotes from a variety of sources. Since she’s an accomplished artist, with lines of stationary sold in boutiques, the quotes are presented in colorful, whimsical fonts, suitable for framing (if you’re willing to cut them out of the book).
It can be difficult to think about yourself and your desires, particularly if you think they’re unattainable. Artist and author Meera Lee Patel does her best to make the journey a painless and playful one.
We just got done looking at Goldie Hawn’s “10 Mindful Minutes: A Journal” and here I am back, BAM, with “Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration” by Meera Lee Patel. Trust me, these two journals are totally different from one another, so you’re going to want to keep reading.
Patel’s journal comes from a unique, but familiar perspective. How often have you put change on hold because things weren’t where you thought they should be for you to make that change? I’ve done. Patel, the author, has done. Odds are good that you’ve done, or maybe you’re doing it now. “Start Where You Are” encourages you to stop looking, and waiting, for that other day, and to instead start where you are. Her journal asks probing, thought provoking questions to help you find out more about yourself: what you really love, your motivations, how see yourself and how you feel others perceive you, and more. However she does mix it up. Sometimes the journal will just ask a question for you to answer, but other times you’re drawing pictures, or filling in circles or other shapes, or coloring in a drawing.
Along with her journaling exercises, Patel includes inspiring quotes from a variety of sources. Since she’s an accomplished artist, with lines of stationary sold in boutiques, the quotes are presented in colorful, whimsical fonts, suitable for framing (if you’re willing to cut them out of the book).
It can be difficult to think about yourself and your desires, particularly if you think they’re unattainable. Artist and author Meera Lee Patel does her best to make the journey a painless and playful one.
June 30, 2022
Beautiful prompts, lovely drawings and quotes. A journal to be picked and written at intervals. a work in progress.
Read
November 29, 2019I love this journal so much.
February 6, 2017
Useful, pretty pages and quotes. Hard to answer some questions. Nice to be able to scribble in the book too.
October 22, 2019
The perfect journal for self-exploration and growth. The quotes and pictures are so pretty and every single time I pick this journal up I feel comforted. The activities are very engaging and diverse too.
January 31, 2017
Seemed almost childish at first glance but the nicely decorated quote pages got me. A fun, gentle experiment to start the new year off creatively & reflectively
May 3, 2018
This is more of ongoing read and journal activity, since I want to take my time and savor it but I've flipped through the whole of it and I can't express how much I love it.
October 24, 2019
This book had a lot of stupid and an unanswerable questions! But mostly it was nice to appreciate things you have in life and to reminds one of their dreams
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
June 27, 20212021: Will keep around for a little break here and there but the prompts have lost me for the most part. Would probably be great for a young person dreaming life dreams.
December 21, 2023
The book's simplicity enabled me to think about the causality and impact (to me and others) of my beliefs, history, and desires.
It is just a workbook but as it unfolded, a ton of answers and connections and patterns showed up - making me see the opportunities for joy and happiness within.
It is just a workbook but as it unfolded, a ton of answers and connections and patterns showed up - making me see the opportunities for joy and happiness within.
July 10, 2018
Its a fantastic journal. It helped me through a hard time so easily that I started loving myself even more. Meera Lee inspires. You'll be a better person after going through the journal. Or atleast you'll be happier. Highly recommended self-help journal.
Read
November 18, 2018الكتاب مفيهوش أي فكرة جديدة .. هو بيفكرك بس باللي عارفه .. ممكن تقراه في المكتبة وانت واقف مش هياخد ربع ساعة .. الأسئلة اللي في الكتاب ممكن تدير توجيه عينك للداخل على نفسك
..
تصميمه و ألوانه مبهجة .
..
تصميمه و ألوانه مبهجة .
May 20, 2016
For visual examples and full review please visit: https://hazelstainer.wordpress.com/20...
Start Where You Are is a “self-help” journal put together by an American artist, Meera Lee Patel.It is a book that causes you to think and contemplate about your day, behaviour, life and dreams.
Meera Lee has used her self-taught artistic talents to produce beautiful, hand-rendered typographic compositions for every page of the book. She has selected appropriate quotations that relate to a task she has set the reader on the facing page.
Most of the tasks throughout the book require the reader to think carefully and write down their answers. Each instruction is to help people sort through their true feelings and put their thoughts into some kind of order. For example: “What is something you wish you could leave behind?”
Although Start Where You Are has not (yet) be medically approved by mental health professionals, it contains a lot of deep, meaningful, assignments that can help you to learn more about your own insecurities, anxieties and depression. Meera Lee admits in her introduction that it took her a long time to be comfortable with her own life and spent a lot of time waiting for the future to arrive, but not really knowing how to get there. She discovered that in order to move forward she needed to find out who she really was, what was important to her, and what she wanted out of life. Meera Lee confesses that this is no easy task and warns that some questions within the book will be harder than others – but ultimately Start Where You Are will reveal your true personality, hopes and dreams, and convince you that life is not all doom and gloom.
There is no right or wrong way to complete this book. It is not a course or a linear activity, therefore there is no need to complete the pages in order. Some pages may feel too difficult, which is not a problem – the book’s purpose is not to cause stress – you can skip that task and come back to it when you are ready.
I have found Start Where You Are very interesting so far. I particularly enjoy reading the quotes included in the fantastic artwork. They are all positive and inspiring, showing the brighter side of life. As an artist, I have decided to also use this book as a way of practising my art skills. Recently art journal photographs that have appeared on Pinterest have been inspiring me to make my own. Instead of starting with a blank book I am using Meera Lee’s publication instead. On each page I complete the task given, but instead of merely writing my answers down, I display them in some sort of typographic or illustrative composition. So not only is Start Where You Are benefitting my mental health and thought processes, it is helping to improve my art skills too.
I highly recommend Start Where You Are for everyone feeling a little lost and unsure about the future. Whether you have been diagnosed with a mental disorder or are going through a low period of your life, this book is perfect for you to help pick yourself up again. But please remember this is not a form of therapy and is not going to “fix” you. It will either be a bit of fun or something insightful depending on how you approach it.
Start Where You Are is a “self-help” journal put together by an American artist, Meera Lee Patel.It is a book that causes you to think and contemplate about your day, behaviour, life and dreams.
Meera Lee has used her self-taught artistic talents to produce beautiful, hand-rendered typographic compositions for every page of the book. She has selected appropriate quotations that relate to a task she has set the reader on the facing page.
Most of the tasks throughout the book require the reader to think carefully and write down their answers. Each instruction is to help people sort through their true feelings and put their thoughts into some kind of order. For example: “What is something you wish you could leave behind?”
Although Start Where You Are has not (yet) be medically approved by mental health professionals, it contains a lot of deep, meaningful, assignments that can help you to learn more about your own insecurities, anxieties and depression. Meera Lee admits in her introduction that it took her a long time to be comfortable with her own life and spent a lot of time waiting for the future to arrive, but not really knowing how to get there. She discovered that in order to move forward she needed to find out who she really was, what was important to her, and what she wanted out of life. Meera Lee confesses that this is no easy task and warns that some questions within the book will be harder than others – but ultimately Start Where You Are will reveal your true personality, hopes and dreams, and convince you that life is not all doom and gloom.
There is no right or wrong way to complete this book. It is not a course or a linear activity, therefore there is no need to complete the pages in order. Some pages may feel too difficult, which is not a problem – the book’s purpose is not to cause stress – you can skip that task and come back to it when you are ready.
I have found Start Where You Are very interesting so far. I particularly enjoy reading the quotes included in the fantastic artwork. They are all positive and inspiring, showing the brighter side of life. As an artist, I have decided to also use this book as a way of practising my art skills. Recently art journal photographs that have appeared on Pinterest have been inspiring me to make my own. Instead of starting with a blank book I am using Meera Lee’s publication instead. On each page I complete the task given, but instead of merely writing my answers down, I display them in some sort of typographic or illustrative composition. So not only is Start Where You Are benefitting my mental health and thought processes, it is helping to improve my art skills too.
I highly recommend Start Where You Are for everyone feeling a little lost and unsure about the future. Whether you have been diagnosed with a mental disorder or are going through a low period of your life, this book is perfect for you to help pick yourself up again. But please remember this is not a form of therapy and is not going to “fix” you. It will either be a bit of fun or something insightful depending on how you approach it.
April 28, 2016
This book is beautiful, the quotes and colours invite you to pick it up whether your mood is good or bad.
The questions are probing but thoughtfully written..it does make you look at your wishes and resources around you, gradually building up a bigger picture of what you are working towards or trying to be more content with what you have.
A good one for those over-analysers out there like me who sometimes need to sit still
and look at what is real and what are just silly thoughts that mean nothing.
Would recommend to anyone looking to be a bit kinder to themselves or pondering life's big (or tiny!) questions.
The questions are probing but thoughtfully written..it does make you look at your wishes and resources around you, gradually building up a bigger picture of what you are working towards or trying to be more content with what you have.
A good one for those over-analysers out there like me who sometimes need to sit still
and look at what is real and what are just silly thoughts that mean nothing.
Would recommend to anyone looking to be a bit kinder to themselves or pondering life's big (or tiny!) questions.
December 13, 2020
I have a few of these writing prompt journal and so far this one is the most unimpressive. Most of the pages are just scribble of quotes on one side and a generic prompt on the other. I can understand the quotes since it's the author own handwriting, but the prompts are not fun to do. At least change them up a bit so they're not always just a blank page with some writings.
December 5, 2015
This book is wonderful. It really helps you ask yourself important questions. I really enjoyed the ideas and I actually had a lot of fun doing the activities.
December 11, 2017
A resource for a series of Spiritual Journaling workshops I am developing -- From the publisher: Start Where You Are is an interactive journal designed to help readers nurture their creativity, mindfulness, and self-motivation. It helps readers navigate the confusion and chaos of daily life with a simple reminder: that by taking the time to know ourselves and what those dreams are, we can appreciate the world around us and achieve our dreams. Featuring vibrant hand-lettering and images that have attracted a large following for her stationery and textile line in boutiques across the country, Meera Lee Patel's uplifting book presents supportive prompts and exercises along with inspirational quotes to encourage reflection through writing, drawing, chart-making, and more. Inspiring quotes from writers, artists, and other visionaries paired with open-ended questions and prompts, with plenty of room for writing and reflecting, this appealing full-color book will make a perfect gift and keepsake as well as being a powerful tool for positive change.
March 1, 2019
"There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind."--C.S. Lewis
I cannot express how much I LOVED this journal. I accidentally stumbled onto it when I was looking on Amazon for Chris Gardener's book with the same title.
I bought it at the perfect time in my life. I am devouring books that help empower me to pursue my dream career. This journal is the perfect aid in this quest.
Every other page has an inspirational quote like the one at the top of this review. The page next to it has a topic for you to journal about. The topics are things like, "Write down ten big dreams that haven't come true yet", and "List 4 times you continued to try even though the odds were against you". It really helps you explore where you are at in life and where you want to go and how to get there. I highly recommend this journal for anyone who is wanting to live their life on purpose.
I cannot express how much I LOVED this journal. I accidentally stumbled onto it when I was looking on Amazon for Chris Gardener's book with the same title.
I bought it at the perfect time in my life. I am devouring books that help empower me to pursue my dream career. This journal is the perfect aid in this quest.
Every other page has an inspirational quote like the one at the top of this review. The page next to it has a topic for you to journal about. The topics are things like, "Write down ten big dreams that haven't come true yet", and "List 4 times you continued to try even though the odds were against you". It really helps you explore where you are at in life and where you want to go and how to get there. I highly recommend this journal for anyone who is wanting to live their life on purpose.
June 26, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book. Some pages will force me to dig deeper into my own thoughts and feelings to discover their truths. Other pages will be a work in progress.
I found the format to be enjoyable, as one who has a hard time writing in books I purchsed a notebook as a companion to do the activies in, but not mar the book.
This also gives me a chance to reassess my thoughts, coming back to the book time and again to see how I have, or have not, grown.
The book is beautiful, some quotes resonate at this stage of my journey more than others Jues as some activities will wait and others will be done right away.
I found the format to be enjoyable, as one who has a hard time writing in books I purchsed a notebook as a companion to do the activies in, but not mar the book.
This also gives me a chance to reassess my thoughts, coming back to the book time and again to see how I have, or have not, grown.
The book is beautiful, some quotes resonate at this stage of my journey more than others Jues as some activities will wait and others will be done right away.
February 13, 2018
Mooi boekje, met telkens aan de linkerkant een inspirerende quote, erg mooi geïllustreerd (leuke kleuren!), en aan de rechterkant een opdracht. Iets om te doen, te tekenen, over na te denken.
Niet te zweverig, maar om stil te staan bij je leven en wat belangrijk voor je is.
Persoonlijk vond ik het jammer om in dit boekje te schrijven, dus ik deed dat vooral ‘in mijn hoofd’ (ik las meermaals dat anderen hiervoor een apart boekje gebruiken, ook een goed idee!).
Het is een boekje dat ik regelmatig eens zal vastnemen om de quotes en de bijbehorende opdracht te lezen, en te laten bezinken.
Echt heel mooi vormgegeven, wat de quotes eigenlijk nog meer bijzonder maakt!
Niet te zweverig, maar om stil te staan bij je leven en wat belangrijk voor je is.
Persoonlijk vond ik het jammer om in dit boekje te schrijven, dus ik deed dat vooral ‘in mijn hoofd’ (ik las meermaals dat anderen hiervoor een apart boekje gebruiken, ook een goed idee!).
Het is een boekje dat ik regelmatig eens zal vastnemen om de quotes en de bijbehorende opdracht te lezen, en te laten bezinken.
Echt heel mooi vormgegeven, wat de quotes eigenlijk nog meer bijzonder maakt!
December 19, 2020
Kupiłam tę książkę już parę lat temu ale zawsze tak trudno mi było odpowiedzieć na zadawane w niej pytania, często nie znamy na nie odpowiedzi. Dziś postanowiłam, że po prostu wezmę ją do rąk i uzupełnię tym, co przyjdzie mi do głowy jako pierwsze, bez dłuższych refleksji i zastanowień, jestem bardzo zadowolona z rezultatu.
Oh może tylko taka mała refleksja, autorka zachęca by zapisać swoje marzenie, zamknąć je w butelce i wrzucić do morza, prosze nie zaśmiecajcie wody. Troszkę mnie zdziwiła ta strona, poniewaz nie jest ekologiczna.
Oh może tylko taka mała refleksja, autorka zachęca by zapisać swoje marzenie, zamknąć je w butelce i wrzucić do morza, prosze nie zaśmiecajcie wody. Troszkę mnie zdziwiła ta strona, poniewaz nie jest ekologiczna.
December 4, 2016
great book for self discoveries, for making a person see into many aspects in his/her life that he might not be aware of. makes a person see what he should be grateful for, appreciate what he already have in his life, that might be much greater than what he thinks. this book will make u appreciate what you have (people, feelings, life style) and put you on the right path to achieve what you desire.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews