★ Expressive arts therapist's "word therapy" notes: 47 heartwarming essays that progress layer by layer from physical exhaustion and mental fatigue to facing life's disappointments, and finally returning to "please take good care of yourself first." Gentle yet practical, this book accompanies you step by step to find a space for settling down and catching your breath amid life's turbulence.
★ A book that accompanies you in "settling yourself." Each short essay is paired with mental health commentary, wise phrases, and small mindfulness exercises. Writing is healing; as you read, your heart relaxes.
★ Dedicated to everyone struggling with busyness and exhaustion: when you are in a bad mood, when circumstances change suddenly, when life falls into disorder, give yourself a small corner for mental first aid. Rest when you are tired, move when you are unhappy. When life doesn't go as expected, you can still give yourself a good hug.

This book is expressive arts therapist's personal record of "word therapy," and also a mental first-aid handbook for exhausted urbanites. After experiencing the loss of a loved one, the author began writing short pieces about emotions, grief, and self-care on social media, which were later compiled into this book.

The 47 essays are divided into four chapters: from the physical signals of "too busy to breathe," to the emotional awareness of "truly tired at heart," to the acceptance of impermanence in "when life doesn't go as expected," and finally landing on the actionable guidance of "please take good care of yourself first." Each essay is accompanied by psychological commentary, wise phrases, and actionable mental exercises, helping readers complete a gentle self-healing journey through reading.

Author: Chow Wai-ho (周伟豪)
Former architect, now an expressive arts therapist (IDEC®) and counselor. He aspires to be an "architect of the soul," using counseling and words to help build beautiful inner lives. He is the author of The Introvert's Battle for Space (Winner of the 9th Golden Book Award, Best New Author [Non-Academic], 2021), co-author of 9 Survival Powers to Rewrite the Future (Winner of the Golden Read Award, Best Book in Technology & Lifestyle, 2015), and co-author of No Friends.

Illustrator: Jie Zhu (撠住)
Graduated from the Department of Anthropology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. In daily life, he is a youth worker with a Christian mission, and occasionally works as a Design Thinking workshop facilitator and other "slash" roles. These identities seem disparate, but they are united by one purpose: "to study people well, and then accompany them gently." His training in anthropology and design thinking gives him a sharp observational perspective, while his frontline work with teenagers allows him to listen to people's confusion with empathy.

Too Busy to Breathe (14 essays)
Truly Tired at Heart (11 essays)
When Life Doesn't Go as Expected (10 essays)
Please Take Good Care of Yourself First (12 essays)