Daring To Take Up Space
Product ID: 208902913
Desertcart purchases this item on your behalf and handles shipping, customs, and support to UK.
From Daniell Koepke — writer, clinical psychology doctoral student, therapist in training, and dedicated to mental health, self-acceptance, and recovery from self-destructive patterns. Daring To Take Up Space is her debut poetry collection. This book begins with a premise that sounds simple and lands like a quiet revolution: you deserve to be here, exactly as you are. Not a future version of you. Not a fixed version, or a smaller version, or a version that has finally figured out how to need less and apologize less and take up less room. The you that exists right now — carrying whatever you're carrying, healing at whatever pace you're healing, still in the middle of whatever you're in the middle of — deserves to be here. Deserves to feel things fully. Deserves to be loved without having to earn it first. Koepke's writing is guided by the belief that healthy vulnerability is a gateway to connection and healing — and that shame cannot survive when we collect evidence, through safe and authentic relationships, that who we are is valued and enough. That belief shapes every page of this collection. Rather than offering a path to becoming someone better, the book offers permission to stop diminishing who you already are. It names the specific mechanisms of self-erasure — the people-pleasing, the chronic apologizing, the feeling that your emotions are too much, the habit of shrinking to make others comfortable — and gives each one back to the reader as something worthy of compassion rather than correction. Themes across the collection include: trusting your own feelings without needing external validation, letting go without having to stop missing what you let go of, the difference between toxic relationships and simply wrong-fit ones, the courage required to stay in difficult transitions, self-worth that doesn't depend on productivity or performance, and the radical — if quiet — act of continuing to show up for yourself when no one else sees it. One reader described it as a pillar of support through existential crisis, depressive episodes, and anxiety — a safe haven of love, reassurance, and comfort they return to repeatedly. Another called it perfect for a girl graduating high school — a book for anyone at the threshold of figuring out who they are and whether that person is allowed to exist without apology. This book is dedicated, in Koepke's own words, to the 17-year-old version of herself who was convinced she was worthless and would never survive — and to everyone who still carries some version of that voice. Perfect for readers who: - Struggle with feeling like they're too much or not enough — too sensitive, too needy, too emotional — and need a book that validates rather than tries to fix that - Are in recovery from an eating disorder, toxic relationship, or any pattern rooted in believing they don't deserve to take up space - Are navigating adolescence, early adulthood, or any season of identity formation where self-worth feels precarious and conditional - Want poetry and prose that is emotionally direct and clinically informed — not vague inspiration but specific, shame-aware language that knows exactly what it's naming - Are looking for a book to give a younger woman — a teenager, a daughter, a friend — who needs to hear that she is enough A Thought Catalog Books imprint. Comparable in emotional territory to Beyond Worthy by Jacqueline Whitney and Be The One by Eileen Lamb — but where Whitney writes for the person in active crisis and Lamb celebrates the deep feeler seeking connection, Koepke writes specifically about the shame mechanisms that keep us small, and gives readers the language to name and dismantle them.
| Dimensions | 5 x 0.24 x 8 inches |
| Edition | First Edition |
| Isbn 10 | 1949759067 |
| Isbn 13 | 978-1949759068 |
| Item Weight | 3.53 ounces |
| Language | English |
| Print Length | 96 pages |
| Publication Date | May 9, 2019 |
| Publisher | Thought Catalog Books |
User
Wonderfully Thoughtful & Poetic Book for Therapeutic Self-Acceptance
“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! 💜
User
You Will Cry!
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!
User
Must Read!
It was definitely meant for me to read this book!! So encouraged by it! It was easy to read as well!
User
Great book
It's amazing
User
Validating and eye opening
If I could give this book 10 stars I would. This book provides validation to each individuals unique thought process and feelings. It encourages the reader to be authentic and at peace with THEMSELVES even on the not so good days. This was an easy read that I finished in one evening. I plan on sharing this with my teenage daughter.
User
Very good
Very good book.
User
I'm so grateful!
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.
User
Wish I’d found this book 30 years ago
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.
User
Man fühlt sich einfach verstanden
Dieses Buch spiegelt viele meiner Gefühle und Gedanken. Es gibt einem das Gefühl nicht allein mit seinen Ängsten und Problemen zu sein. Man fühlt sich einfach verstanden.
User
Must read!!!
Amazing book
User
Extremely Healing
If you feel alone and unheard this will be a soothing balm for the soul.
User
Incredible
Such a touching book!
User
best poetry book
my favourite poetry book, would recommend to anyone and everyone. was such a good read, i couldn't put it down, i read it in one sitting!
Trustpilot
1 week ago
3 weeks ago