Maybe This Will Help
How to Feel Better When Things Stay the Same
Published on 23. November 2021
160 pages
978-1-7972-1126-8 (ISBN)
Description
A visual pep talk of charts and essays on feeling better about not feeling better.
Maybe This Will Help is one part the funny and relatable graphs that fans of Am I Overthinking This? and of Michelle Rial know and love, and one part the honest stories behind what makes those graphs so poignant. Michelle Rial brings to light her struggles with chronic pain, grief, and creative uncertainty in a way that reflects the universality of dealing with the unthinkable. Equal parts funny and moving, this book delves into the more serious side of things, finding levity and collective experience in the invisible difficulties that so many of us face. Through humorous charts and intimate peeks into the author's life, it explores the big things that can feel unmanageable and the everyday humor that keeps us moving forward.
SELF-HELP WITH HUMOR: This book brings levity and laughter to serious topics without undermining the important message and relatability that makes it resonate.
BELOVED AUTHOR: Michelle Rial's first book was beloved by her tens of thousands of fans as well as by the media, including Wired, Vulture, Book Riot-and the New Yorker even published her chart-based article on "Book Publishing by the Numbers."
JUST THE RIGHT TONE: This book perfectly captures trying to figure out the "magic pill" that will fix things, struggling to find peace in how things are, and the humor in even the hardest times. It makes an ideal gift for someone struggling with physical or mental pain when you want to help but aren't sure how to.
Perfect for: Fans of Michelle Rial's Instagram and first book, Am I Overthinking This?; people in their 20s and 30s grappling with big life changes or chronic illness
Maybe This Will Help is one part the funny and relatable graphs that fans of Am I Overthinking This? and of Michelle Rial know and love, and one part the honest stories behind what makes those graphs so poignant. Michelle Rial brings to light her struggles with chronic pain, grief, and creative uncertainty in a way that reflects the universality of dealing with the unthinkable. Equal parts funny and moving, this book delves into the more serious side of things, finding levity and collective experience in the invisible difficulties that so many of us face. Through humorous charts and intimate peeks into the author's life, it explores the big things that can feel unmanageable and the everyday humor that keeps us moving forward.
SELF-HELP WITH HUMOR: This book brings levity and laughter to serious topics without undermining the important message and relatability that makes it resonate.
BELOVED AUTHOR: Michelle Rial's first book was beloved by her tens of thousands of fans as well as by the media, including Wired, Vulture, Book Riot-and the New Yorker even published her chart-based article on "Book Publishing by the Numbers."
JUST THE RIGHT TONE: This book perfectly captures trying to figure out the "magic pill" that will fix things, struggling to find peace in how things are, and the humor in even the hardest times. It makes an ideal gift for someone struggling with physical or mental pain when you want to help but aren't sure how to.
Perfect for: Fans of Michelle Rial's Instagram and first book, Am I Overthinking This?; people in their 20s and 30s grappling with big life changes or chronic illness
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
10/2021
Chronicle Books
€32.50
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Book
10/2021
Chronicle Books
€14.00
Article in reprint
Person
Michelle Rial is a graphic designer who makes charts. Named by Vulture as one of "9 of the Funniest Cartoonists and Illustrators on Instagram," her work has been featured by The New Yorker, Fast Company, USA Today, WIRED, and more. She's the author and illustrator of Am I Overthinking This? Over-answering Life's Questions in 101 Charts, and a former senior designer at BuzzFeed News.
Content
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- Introduction
- Everyone is going through something
- What if we don't compare our problems?
- The worst part of waking up
- Sometimes it helps to think about breakfast
- Le Pain Three Ways
- An easy puzzle for something hard
- "I'm not a hypochondriac" bingo
- Types of brain fog
- Why is it always six visits?
- Every day is chronic pain awareness day (if you have it)
- Have you tried
- Referral fatigue
- Have You Tried-
- Elimination diets are actually very easy
- A quick trip to the grocery store
- Has anyone found the answer?
- I have some questions about this treatment
- Something doesn't feel right
- Anti-inflammatory drinking game
- I've tried everything, but OK I'll try that
- The cost of healing
- Making Adjustments
- Sometimes trying to fit in will only hurt you later
- Why do I give myself less space?
- I've been feeling stuck
- A little better is not nothing
- Wait, is everyone just here to show off?
- Make your scrolling finite
- Maybe one day I will break out of this
- Should I wait until the pain is gone to tell my story?
- When I'm caught in the same old loop
- It might help to stop and breathe
- A Different Theory of Relativity, Part 1
- How do I get noticed?
- What is my "artist statement"?
- OK, it's time to get to work
- I'm trying to be original
- Keep in mind that nothing is original
- Someone will always be better than you
- Everything I accomplish will fade eventually
- What If You Could Change One Thing?
- How do you stay in control?
- Am I prepared for the worst-case scenario?
- There are some things I can control
- Accept the good things and don't get stuck on the bad
- Is this who you want to be?
- It Hurts to Write This, but Don't Worry
- Sometimes it helps to think about fall
- You can become a hat person
- Sometimes you just need a cold drink
- You may need a variety of drinks
- Try making a new wish
- It might help to brighten up the space
- Close your eyes and picture yourself on a California road trip
- It's so nice, isn't it
- A picnic might help remind you of human generosity
- Things I'm prioritizing
- I'm giving up my favorite things, in moderation
- Everything I already know
- Feeling Better about Not Feeling Better
- Is it luck or hard work or both?
- You might need a break
- What do I say to this?
- It's worse for you if you don't say it
- It can feel hard to speak up if you're used to getting shut down
- Sometimes everything can feel overwhelming
- Try not to let it numb you
- You might need some air
- Is it too late to make a difference?
- Pain Anniversaries
- It's time we invest in a comfy shoe
- Sometimes too much of a soft thing can be bad
- It might help to adopt a dog
- Maybe try going to a dog park
- If one day at a time is too daunting, try one meal at a time
- Relationship advice from the Beatles
- Take responsibility early and often
- Why aren't they getting the message?
- There are some things you can let go of
- Are you suuure you don't want to talk about it?
- You don't have to talk about it right now
- Postmortem
- Ode to the strict parent
- Ode to my immigrant parents
- There are two types of accomplishments
- Accept the praise when it's given
- How do you hold on to hope when it feels frivolous?
- Sometimes it feels like I should never get excited
- Having hope can help get you through it
- Do I want to talk about it?
- Don't sweep big feelings under the rug
- Sometimes it helps to listen to R.E.M.
- Why I'm wearing black today
- It can help to talk to someone who gets it
- Share things that make you happy
- I thought you said this would pass
- Will you please stop saying it?
- Everyone keeps asking
- "It's better that you weren't there"
- Even when they're gone
- Ode to the caretaker
- Energy can neither be created nor destroyed
- What is this feeling?
- Getting through the night
- Ask for help when you need it
- In the meantime, maybe this will help
- Maybe someday I'll get there
- A Different Theory of Relativity, Part 2
- Sometimes it feels like the end
- Not all rock bottoms are created equal
- The lows mean there are highs
- Just when you think it can only get worse
- Acknowledgments
- Chronicle Ebooks
