Daring To Take Up Space

“Daring to Take Up Space” by Daniel Koepke is a book of poetics that works as therapy, advice, &/or self-help toward self-acceptance & better mental health. The key point / goal is in the title, dare to take up space & learn that you’re enough. Learn to be vulnerable, give yourself permission to feel, & work toward becoming one’s authentic self. Love your whole self (on good days & less successful days). Cleanse yourself of shame. Heal. This isn’t necessarily a book I’d pick up by myself, as it was recommended to me by a good friend. The title, cover artwork, & bling intrigued me, & I’m overall glad I took a chance on it. It’s a very positive book, but it let’s the reader know that getting self-acceptance is a journey. There are ups & downs & some days are just about getting through. The book itself is divided into four sections, “Combatting Shame,” “Connection,” “Hope and Resilience,” & “Growth and Affirmation.” It’s slightly repetitive, but in a needful way that reminds that reader of things one has to hear more than once. As far as the poetics, I’d say it’s utilitarian & meant to have as broad an appeal as possible. The language has a simple elegance to it that isn’t too technical or over-wrought, so it’s pretty readable for any type of reader or even people that don’t read often. The sections are all broken down into single page units that one could read a day at a time or as one needs. Personally, I think it’s probably better consumed that way. Different sections would then be better referred to as one needed through one’s personal therapeutic journey. My one critique is a very minor one. I find that the poetics are a bit simple to the point that it’s not something I’d read simply for the pleasure of reading or for writing inspiration. It’s very personal & direct & focused on helping one toward self-acceptance. Not imagistic or with deep or intriguing metaphor or simile. Then again, it’s not from the perspective of a singular poet writing about their own experience. It’s meant to teach & instruct & help. A very minor critique & more just mentioned as it’s very different than any other poetry I normally read & review. It is incredibly thoughtful & insightful as well as caring & soothing. It’s a perfect book to read & refer back to as one needs on the bumpy journey that is self-love, self-care, self-acceptance, etc. Would definitely recommend to anyone whether they’re going through mental health struggles or not. It could be a help to anyone. So glad that I read this & especially glad my friend suggested this book to me. Thank you! 💜

It was definitely meant for me to read this book!! So encouraged by it! It was easy to read as well!

This book will make you feel understood and valued. It’s an amazing self help/ healing book. I cried the first few pages because it made me feel so relieved! Thank you one thousand percent!

The most lovely compilation of prose, thoughts and affirmations for those of us who doubt ourselves and our place in the world. I read something from it every day.

It's amazing

Very good book.

Words cannot explain how grateful I am to have been gifted by the universe with this book. Its healing, validating, freeing, rare, exceptional and so much more. I personally believe in a higher power so I said a prayer for the author that she will always know the impact she's making by choosing to share her words that have changed my life forever. I feel this book should be mandatory reading for teens living in the age of social media where many feel less than and compare their lives to the illusions that trigger comparisons. My biggest takeaway is that you are enough, I AM enough, we are enough period.

I think this book is a must have on the bookshelf for teens and mental health professionals. The writer has a gentle yet direct way if speaking the dark truths about our inner world. She folds in compassion and perspectives we may not see in the moment. Each day I open the book to a random page and soak in the wisdom.