Johanna Harlen grew up as the introverted only child of her parents, with an angry father who left a mark on her psyche. Bullied in school until she was eighteen, Johanna found refuge in alcohol in her early twenties. Now a certified fitness trainer and yoga teacher, Johanna shares her journey of healing and self-discovery in this illuminating memoir/self-help journal designed to guide readers as they navigate life's myriad challenges. This book focuses on introspection, self-reflection, and self-affirmation. Spirit Wake Up! explores how toxic words affect our mental health, put a strain on our relationships, and hamper our self-esteem. Break the cycle of toxicity by building emotional resilience, practicing self-compassion and mindfulness, using affirmations, meditation, and breathing exercises. Additionally, Johanna emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between the body, mind, and spirit.

Learn to be authentic, foster a growth mindset, and embrace imperfection in your journey to healing and transformation with Spirit Wake Up! Bringing transformative change to your life isn't easy, but that's exactly what this empowering journal will help you do. Through positive affirmations, personal anecdotes, and reflection questions, author Johanna Harlen offers tools and strategies to help you overcome the various hardships of life. The author is a big advocate of yoga and Ayurveda. She demonstrates how these two ancient practices enable a holistic approach to life by deepening the connection between the body, mind, and spirit. Toward the end, readers will find beautiful drawings to color and relax. I found the book very inspiring and motivational. If you're struggling with anxiety, stress, or the rigors of everyday life in general, I highly recommend this book.

Spirit Wake Up! by Johanna Harlen begins with how toxic thoughts arise from emotional immaturity, past trauma, and cognitive distortions like catastrophizing and black-and-white thinking, linking these patterns to anxiety, depression, and strained relationships. Harlen talks about how evolutionary negativity bias and emotional reinforcement perpetuate stress and fear, which block joy and growth. She speaks on strategies like mindfulness, emotional intelligence, reframing self-talk, and therapy to shift from mind domination to soul awareness for inner peace. The book addresses challenges like toxic workplaces, shame, vulnerability, rootlessness, and self-forgiveness, recommending practical steps to build strength, authenticity, and healthy boundaries. Harlen integrates spiritual concepts, such as chanting, yoga, and spiritual energy, as tools to harmonize body, mind, and spirit, promoting balance, presence, and ongoing transformation toward freedom and well-being.

Spirit Wake Up! by Johanna Harlen is a very thoughtfully written deep dive into genuine holistic wellness practices that engage mind, body, and spirit. Harlen’s clear, accessible writing is conversational, like a chat with a really supportive and knowledgeable friend. I absolutely love the concept of skillful forest bathing and earthing, and their benefits for physical and mental health. I had heard of it before, but didn't entirely understand it outside the realm of aromatherapy. I now understand its importance in harnessing sensory immersion and Earth’s energy. All Harlen's work comes from a place of intent and is approached in a way that is wrapped in kindness and courage, leaning into self-acceptance and mindful practices. There is no question that so much of what she gifts us will ultimately have a soothing and restorative effect, and a sense of calm and well-being. Overall, Spirit Wake Up! is a useful companion for those seeking to deepen their connection with themselves and the natural world we inhabit. Very highly recommended.

Spirit Wake Up! by Johanna Harlen is an inspiring self-help book that covers themes of healing, personal growth, and spiritual awakening. Johanna shares some of her difficult childhood experiences, including struggling with fear, bullying, and toxic thoughts. She explains the possible causes and lasting impacts of fear, emotional trauma, spiritual awakening, and cultural toxins, encouraging us to examine our lives, question some habits, and work on emotional change. She also discusses topics like the power of words, breaking free from toxic environments, managing emotions, and the pain of grief. The book is full of healthy and spiritual practices that can help people break free from a cycle of emotional pain, some of which include setting boundaries, affirmations, yoga, meditation, prayer, and mindful self-reflection. There are sections for journaling, doodling, and adult coloring, which help to unlock our deepest thoughts, heal our spirits, and encourage us to keep growing.

I was impressed by Johanna’s courage to share her struggles, like the complex relationship with her father, her mother’s bulimia, and her battle with depression and anxiety. I once struggled with depression in high school and never had the courage to speak to anyone about it, which made me connect more with this book. Spirit Wake Up! is a call to action. While I felt inspired and moved, the reflective questions and journaling pages made it more than just a read; it felt like a step I must take, a change I must make. The addition of lifestyle practices like forest bathing, earthing, and the Ayurvedic life stages was refreshing. The adult coloring section was a great idea. I studied the images, and I noticed they were not just common pictures. They are works of art with meanings that speak to the heart. I recommend this book to people who feel stuck in negative thoughts or pain and want to grow spiritually through journaling and simple practices.

Spirit Wake Up! by Johanna Harlen is a self-help book that truly speaks to my personal beliefs. This book, through a series of questions, invites the reader into deep introspection while attempting to answer some of the biggest questions we have and addressing many of our self-doubts. It outlines the importance that words, whether spoken by ourselves or others, play in the development of our lives and our environment both now and in the future. It outlines in clear, actionable, and accountable terms exactly how we can cope with the biggest threats facing us: our internal thoughts, fears, emotions, relationships, cultural toxicity, and so much more. The book is designed as more than just a self-help read; it provides areas to record notes and thoughts, and specifically challenges the reader to seek answers to the questions posed after each section. It allows readers to address the issues raised in their lives by the topics covered. 

Whilst there are many similar self-help books in the marketplace, Spirit Wake Up! deserves a place on the shelves next to the best. Author Johanna Harlen has succinctly gone to the crux of the issue and understands that, ultimately, all power and success lie within each one of us. She understands that the answers to life’s issues and/or problems are not to be found in the world but inside us. As this resonates deeply with my personal beliefs and lifestyle, I found myself nodding frequently at her sage advice and suggestions. I particularly appreciated the sections on affirmations and bliss. As someone who regularly practices affirmations, I discovered her detailed and comprehensive list of positive affirmations to be useful and applicable to everyone. Finding one’s bliss in life is vitally important for growth, and I was thrilled the author recognized this. The areas provided for readers to physically answer the questions about their own life and their thoughts were very important and added to the usefulness of the book. This is a fantastic and affirming read that I highly recommend.