This week I am cheating by talking about two books that are linked, but can be read independently of each other.

I purchased a copy of Happy when it was on pre-order at Amazon last year. When my copy arrived I read it cover to cover over a few weeks and then undertook a period of reflection.

This book is about Fern Cotton’s journey with depression, but that is not all it is about. There are some great illustrations, great reflective statements and exercises to be undertaken with space to do those exercises. I am from a generation which does not advocate writing in books, so my copy is full of post it notes and references to the page in my notebook where I have undertaken the exercises.

The second book is Happy The Journal. Each day is covered by an a task that can be undertaken and there is adequate space in the book for it to become a place to share your thoughts and responses. There is no hard and fast rule on when you start the journal, but I waited for 1 Jan to roll round then began to use the journal. That said, I do not write in my book, instead I use my notebook which I complete my Artist Way exercises.