If you have kids you know how precious time is. Especially your time. Sometimes you just want 10 minutes to drink a cup of coffee or tea. This book will show you the way to carving out some much needed time for yourself.

A quote that starts off the philosophy of this book is “Your children will follow your example, not your advice.” If we want the best for our kids, we have to look after ourselves and focus on our well-being too. We have to show them the life they can lead – not tell them we want them to do better than we did.

It’s hard though, because who has time for self-care these days? My days went from having tons of free time for me to read, work out and spend hours in the kitchen, to being jam packed. Packed full of a crying baby, of doctors appointments, of swim classes and education. My night’s are broken and interrupted and sleep deprivation is pervasive – changing the flow of energy you have as a person. Mealtimes became a stressful thing that I needed to get out of the way, not a joy that I took time in. Frozen meals and takeouts were a habit I picked up with a newborn – one that became harder to break the longer I left it. The mental load increases, even when the physical strain isn’t there.

So, when I picked up this book and read the introduction about how I want my son to learn from me, I realized I embody the negative things mentioned. I eat fast food, but I want him to eat healthy. I don’t exercise enough, but I want him to be fit. When he’s growing up, if I carry on with my lifestyle, I don’t want him to emulate me. So I need to snap out of it now and get into good habits that he can watch and learn from. Easier said than done though!



The book is workbook style, split up into small chapters with a goal. It gives exercises and tasks that you can work at in your own time. In Chapter One for example, I’m given the imagery of myself as a cellphone. My batteries are definitely flashing red. The answers are simple – take more breaks. I look through the list and I analyze what fits well for me. Stretching. Walking. Breathing. Aromatherapy. Relaxing Music. These are things I can do. Small, obtainable goals.

I reviewed an early pre-release review copy in digital format but the edition that releases on the 23rd November on Amazon is paperback. It includes lovely colours and images, but most importantly, it is a workbook so it contains oodles of sections you can write in. Physically writing down how I’m feeling, what I did and how this affected me really helps me. As you can probably tell from the fact that I’m a blogger, I find writing cathartic. I also loved the little commitment certificates, where you sign your name to an act. It’s a promise only to yourself, but there’s something that binds me to it when I’ve seen it written down and signed my name on it.

There are daily and monthly challenges and I found this book a great motivational exercise. If anyone else out there feels like they need a little structure, The Empowered is definitely perfect for that. Blogging mums will find the section on time management very useful! Although this book is written in regards to managing your household tasks and spending more time with your kids, a lot of it is very good practical advice that can be applied to work, especially working from home in a field such as blogging where your time is structured by yourself.

I’ve given it four stars as I really enjoyed it. I would highly recommend it to any parents out there who feel like they could use a little improvement, self-care or motivation in their lives. Not all of it was useful to me and a few things didn’t resonate, but it’s definitely wide enough in scope that I imagine almost any parent out there could take something positive away from reading it.

Although it is a motivational book, it is one that is extremely practical. I dislike motivational speeches that are just “You can change your life if you believe in yourself!”, but I appreciate motivation in the form of “You can do these small steps to make a minor adjustment in your life that can have larger positive outcomes.” It does contain a few larger ideas, but most of it is very much in the realm of realistic steps. It is an American written book, so you will see the word “mom” a lot and a few Americanisms, but it is perfectly easy to relate too in the UK too.

I’m still searching to find myself in this new world that is motherhood and constantly looking for ways in which to improve my life – and the life of my family. In that regard, this book definitely gave me plenty to think about and some things I’m positive I can work on.

In a sweetly colored work-guidebook combo, Druxman encourages mothers to take back their sense of self. Through exercises in self-care, encouragement to say no, and monthly challenges, mothers are reminded that they matter, too, and are given the tools to live a purposeful life while gaining the keys back to the soul they may be out of touch with.

While her heart seems to be in the right place and some of her suggestions hold true value, I also found myself raising my eyebrows at suggestions of hiring a laundry company or a virtual assistant to free up time during the day. Add in that the entire introduction is about "getting your body back" and a discussion on the evils of GMOs--while some are not the best to eat, others are healthy (think seedless grapes and sweet corn)--I found myself eye-rolling more often than nodding along.

I stuck with it until the very end and I found it redeemed itself a bit with the sections on giving, courting your spouse, and practicing gratitude.

If you're a mother desperate for any answers to help your mind and your life find peace, this is absolutely for you. But, if you're like I was and just looking for a sweet soulful lift on motherhood itself, take a pass.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Druxman, and Quarto Publishing Group-Fair Winds Press for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting book about how life as a mother can be overwhelming. Full of practical tips.

I had the impression, and this is only my opinion, that this book was written for the overwhelmed mother that did not have the needed support of her partner. Although this book wasn’t for me, and my take away was minimal, I enjoyed that the author came off as if you were talking to a friend. This is an easy and quick read with workbook activities that can be insightful and a place to reflect. I appreciated the clean, clear and bright layout of this book as well.

This was such a great book. Packed with simple tips that anyone can use, this is a gem. Must-have for any new mom especially.

This book has a lovely, colorful layout and gives encouragement and practical tips to help you care for yourself. It includes lots of room to journal about reflection questions. It would make the perfect gift for a new mom, or any mom!