The main focus of this book is author Lainey's life lessons and representation, which are conveyed through quotes, short stories, poetry, and lines. She described her life's events, putting all of herself into the words to reach us. It all started during the divorce phase, when she needed to be her most difficult self to survive. She explains the darkest period of her life, which ultimately caused her to concentrate on windows for light, by using this as the primary subject of the book. This section shows us betrayal, heartache, kids caught up in the middle of a conflict, and the monologue of the person who is right—a reflection of reality as it exists in the world. She gradually made the decision to get better, recovery started, new goals were created, and new adjustments were made.In addition, we saw her go through the process of healing, learn new self-care strategies, celebrate her children's accomplishments, accept reality, and establish a new routine for herself that puts her needs first. Even though she had periods of vulnerability, her divorce—a significant breakdown in her life—did not prevent her from discovering who she was. It tells the story of her journey, showing how she overcame adversity to find her own light once more.
 
I gave it a three-star rating. I enjoyed how the author told her experience in order to convey the idea that "there's always a light after darkness." The narrative style and content arrangement in the book were the most challenging to me and seriously weakened my reading experience. The easy reading experience is not enhanced by the pieces' disorganized arrangement, the fact that some of them have no connections to one another, or the abrupt change in concepts or chronology. Certain topics require twice as much reading time due to their inconsistent substance. The content wasn't arranged chronologically; at random, subjects like falling and home regulations would pop up, leaving me perplexed as to why they would be there. What's the objective? Apart from this, the book's cover page is appealing and well-suited to the plot; there were no significant grammatical mistakes. The essays have good, thorough writing on some of them, and the quotes used are compelling. Recovery, Mind Games, Doorways, Solo, and Endurance are some of my favorite pieces.

Wow, this book was beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. It was unique in its structure, and an interesting way to write a memoir, but it worked. I was rooting for everything to turn out okay for the author in the end. This is a story I will never forget. I sincerely hope the author writes more in the future.

The style wasn't for me. Some ideas were interesting,ñ, but the execution took me out of thenreading time and time again.

I'm Not the Same Again Today reflects the inspiring journey of a woman broken by addiction and divorce who finds a path out of the darkness. With her poetry. Oslin generously shares her story so that perhaps it will light the way for others. I have no doubt that it will.

This is a book about a woman grinding and loving herself in her 2nd half of life.

It was honest and I loved that. I loved her bond with nature and all its helped her to get through.

Thank you to Lainey Oslin, Empowered Press Publishing and Net Galley for this beauty of an ARC. Publish date is 6/17/24!!

This book was a beautifully woven piece of all parts: poetry, love letter, self-help guide, part memoir and so much more.

Snapshots of vulnerability in life’s moments, recovery, grief, divorce, being a mother, talks with God; it was different and lovely in every way.

The poems within this book caused for so much reflection. Many times I had to stop and think about how I connected to the words written and admire how perfectly these thoughts were expressed.

This was a beautiful memoir in poetry form! 🌲
I never read anything like this: reading poetry but also reading about a person's life, struggles and tips, if you want to call them that.

My main problem, and the reason for "only" 3 stars, is that I could not fully connect with the author, her story, and her experiences (maybe because of my age (I'm 22)?). I could not fully feel some of the poems and stories and read them without feeling anything. But with others, it was the complete opposite. I felt without realizing I had read (if that even makes sense)... So maybe, it is the perfect book for anyone, because everyone can find something to relate to or learn about in this collection. Most likely, this is a me problem, so check this book out and give it a try!

Some of my favorite quotes:

""Making myself presentable," has always been paramount.
The preparation of my outside has always taken priority over the state of my insides."
⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘
""I would have died without feeling this,"
has entered my mind countless times since life turned the lights back on."
⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘
""He would never" was how I opened every answer [...].
With no idea that I was talking in my sleep every time."
⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘
"Some fights can only be won,
if your goal in the beginning,
was to be alone in the end."
⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘
"Life comes down to a series of trust falls.
Keep learning to let go."
⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘
"You will never be the same again.
But you weren't supposed to be."
⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘
"Will "shoulds" keep me away from the shores?"

Special thanks to NetGalley, Empowered Press Publishing and Lainey Oslin for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
I will post this review on Goodreads once the book is available on there.

Seriously, who needs therapy when you can just read poetry???

౨ৎ𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:

“𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴.”

“𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵.”

“𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳,
𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦.”

“𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘯, 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.”

“𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.”

“𝘛𝘳𝘺 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥.”

Lainey Olson's "I’m Not the Same Again Today" is a remarkable testament to the power of resilience and self-discovery. Through a deeply personal narrative, Olson takes readers on a journey through the complexities of identity, trauma, and the transformative power of healing.

From the outset, Olson's writing captivates with its raw honesty and vulnerability. She fearlessly delves into her own experiences, navigating moments of pain, confusion, and ultimately, growth. Each chapter unfolds with a sense of introspection, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives and the ways in which they navigate their own journeys.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is Olson's ability to convey the intricacies of human emotion. Whether she's grappling with past traumas or celebrating moments of triumph, her words resonate with authenticity and depth. Readers are drawn into her world, experiencing the highs and lows alongside her.

Moreover, Olson's narrative is not just one of personal growth; it's also a testament to the power of connection and community. Throughout the book, she highlights the importance of relationships and the ways in which they shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Her journey is not a solitary one, but rather one that is enriched by the support and love of those around her.

"I’m Not the Same Again Today" is not merely a memoir; it's a guidebook for anyone navigating their own path of self-discovery. Through Olson's experiences, readers are reminded of the inherent strength that lies within each of us, waiting to be unearthed.

In conclusion, Lainey Olson's "I’m Not the Same Again Today" is a poignant and powerful exploration of the human spirit. It's a book that will linger in the hearts and minds of readers long after they've turned the final page, serving as a source of inspiration and hope for anyone on their own journey of transformation.

This book was a gut-punch of emotions. Oslin is honest and transparent in their prose. Seeing both their struggles and accomplishments through the poetry made me feel like I've known Lainey forever. I empathized with her, I was rooting for her, and at times, I wanted to shake her by the shoulders. There were many points that I had to stop and reflect on the sincerity of the words, and I was totally (and unexpectedly) made a huge fan of her work. Great book to pick up if you are in any sort of life transition, you are hoping to pull yourself out of a rut (or even a bigger ditch), or you need to not feel alone as you navigate life.

thank you for allowing me to review this book!

honestly, it was a bit painful to read. i cried at least 4 times while reading the first half with all the emotional baggage that it has, since it represents everything that i am scared of going through, even though i am just in my 20s. anyone who knows me well is aware of my fear of opening up, and then everything going wrong. but like this book says: there is something freeing with everything going wrong.

for me, this book felt like a self-help guide and also a reassurance. because no matter how big is your trauma and what point in life you are in, you WILL figure yourself out, you WILL pick yourself back up and you WILL go on with your life. wounds can leave scars, but at least a scar means a healed wound.

i believe this book can be a good influence to any young readers somewhere on their 20s, or even early 30s. it feels like a good reassurance for someone who just wants to hear that when you grow old, everything will be okay no matter what turns has life given you.