In today's hectic day and age, it is easy for people to feel overwhelmed by the challenges and rigors of daily life. Through her second book of affirming poetry and prose -- Self Love Notes II -- Michelle G. Stradford aims to instill a sense of self-belief amongst readers, allowing them to overcome their self-doubts and insecurities to become free of their baggage and chase their dreams with self-assured confidence. According to the author, we can grow self-love deep in our minds subconsciously by putting uplifting seeds that are cultivated in our sleep. Stradford urges readers not to tolerate the negativity of fringe friends who constantly drain their energy and instead asks them to consider daily stress as an exercise to build mental fortitude so that they can face adversity on their own.

Books like Self Love Notes II go a long way to help invigorate people's minds, nourishing resilience and creativity in their souls to help them navigate the highs and lows of life. Michelle G. Stradford's motivational poetry is an inspiration in and of itself, and it is bound to light a spark of fire in your heart, giving you the necessary courage to nurture belief in yourself and become self-dependent. This is the kind of book you should read before starting your day and venturing out on your endeavors. Although Self Love Notes II acts as an illuminating self-help guidebook, it is also an enthralling collection of poems. So rid yourself of the negative energies in your lives and love yourself unabashedly. Highly recommended.

Self Love Notes II: Affirming Poetry and Prose is an inspirational work by Michelle G. Stradford. It is a collection of writings that promote self-love and affirmation. The work is divided into three categories: poetry and prose that inspire, some that bravely point out imperfections, and the last part focuses on growth. Gentle Compassion, Limitless, Vulnerable Gaps, At All Costs, My Pace, and Future You are some of the titles of writings that can be found in this book.

Self-Love Notes II is a mixture of poetry and prose that touches on the joy and sorrows of life. Michelle G. Stradford’s inspirational, self-affirming poetry and prose are uplifting and motivational. They evoke nostalgia and positivity during tough times and convey powerful messages to the reader. Stradford’s poetic style captures the highs and lows of life and hits the mark when it mentions the constant struggle against self-doubt. The book fearlessly approaches the negativity people could experience in their lifetimes, the negative voices that knock us down, and the lowest points in our lives. In the same breath, it also shows there is a light ahead.

We are stronger than we think, braver than we know, and there will come a time when we will get through our problems and become more powerful. True to its title, the book promotes self-love, positivity, strength, and support. Stradford has skillfully written a treasure trove of affirmations and love that will become a source of strength for those who do not feel the greatest about themselves. Great work!

It’s important to love oneself. It’s not easy, but it’s important. Why? If we don’t love ourselves, how can we ever love someone else? Not to mention the fact that we live with ourselves 24/7, so a good healthy life begins with a good healthy attitude – toward ourselves. It can be tough; life is tough, but there is a way to self-affirmation and positive attitude, even in the face of conflict and demoralizing events. “You cannot begin/ to know the depths/ of your resilience/ until you have crawled/ across the rugged valley,/ then clawed your way back/ after being struck/ by a ruthless adversary.” It begins with inciting a positive thinking, a positive attitude about oneself: “I commit/ to living/ full out,/ astonishing the world/ with unrelenting/ bold acts/ of courage/ in bursts/ of red fervor/ that stun/ and neutralize/ my fiercest/ competitor,/ while inciting/ creative/ revolutions.” And then there’s the need for self affirmation along with a commitment to oneself: “I refuse to allow/ the chains of my past/ to lock me out/ of my future./ So, I capture/ the hard lessons,/ then block the door/ to transgressions.”

Michelle G. Stradford’s chapbook, Self Love Notes II: Affirming Poetry & Prose, is a vast collection of poems, mostly in free verse, which provide a guideline of inspiration and affirmation to lead readers on the ultimate goal of self love and self respect. The poems are grouped into sections: Inspire (we have to accept and glorify whom we are), Imperfect (for we have to recognize that none of us are perfect), Grow (we have to find the strength to carry on and move forward despite the hardships life places in our paths). These poems are not meant to be read all in one sitting, but rather to be savored over time and to be returned to in times of need, when one requires a boost of self affirmation. At the end of each section, the author has provided a page for readers to list their own self love notes. This is a wonderful companion to bolster one’s inner sense of well-being.