Introduction to the Book
Why This Book Matters
This Is How You Heal by Brianna Wiest is a profound meditation on emotional resilience, self-awareness, and personal transformation. With her signature poetic voice and philosophical clarity, Wiest guides readers through the messy, nonlinear journey of healing.
This book is not a “quick fix.” Instead, it offers a gentle yet powerful framework for confronting pain, reclaiming agency, and rewriting one’s life story from a place of truth.
Overview of Brianna Wiest’s Work
Wiest’s previous work, The Mountain Is You, made waves in the self-help world by teaching readers how to overcome self-sabotage. This Is How You Heal builds on that foundation, focusing more deeply on emotional wounds, identity patterns, and the power of presence.
About the Author – Brianna Wiest
Her Background and Writing Style
Brianna Wiest is known for her reflective, heart-centered essays and books that merge modern psychology with timeless wisdom. Her style is lyrical, affirming, and emotionally resonant—ideal for readers seeking both spiritual and psychological clarity.
Other Popular Works
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The Mountain Is You
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101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think
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Salt Water
Each of her books speaks directly to the reader’s internal world, offering tools not just to survive—but to evolve.
Structure of the Book
How the Book Is Organized
This Is How You Heal consists of short essays and reflections. There is no traditional chapter format; instead, readers are invited to explore a mosaic of insights on healing. It’s written in a way that allows for reflection, pausing, and re-reading.
Types of Content Included
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Essays on mindset and healing
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Introspective questions and journaling prompts
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Affirmations and reminders
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Anecdotal and metaphorical teachings
This style makes the book highly accessible and emotionally engaging.
Core Themes of the Book
Emotional Healing and Self-Awareness
Wiest argues that healing begins with recognizing our pain—not avoiding it. Emotional wounds, left unacknowledged, can drive behavior and form the narratives we live by. The book gently encourages readers to witness these patterns and begin choosing differently.
The Role of Acceptance and Change
Healing is about acceptance first, then change. Wiest explains that only when we accept our feelings can we understand their roots and allow transformation. It’s not about being “fixed”—it’s about being whole.
Chapter-by-Chapter Breakdown
Key Takeaways from Each Chapter
Since the book is structured more like a collection of essays than traditional chapters, each piece functions as a self-contained meditation on a specific aspect of healing. However, there is a thematic progression from awareness to transformation.
Here are some standout topics:
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Recognizing Self-Sabotage: Healing begins with understanding how we unconsciously avoid change.
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Owning Your Story: One’s narrative holds power. Healing means rewriting that story from a place of self-love.
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Releasing Control: Healing isn’t about controlling outcomes, but about trusting the process.
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Facing the Mirror: True transformation requires brutal honesty about where we’ve been, what we feel, and who we are becoming.
Most Impactful Quotes
“Healing happens when you realize you are not broken.”
“You don’t need closure; you need clarity.”
“The new version of you can’t emerge until the old version has been fully honored.”
These lines are sprinkled throughout the book like mantras—gentle reminders that pain is a doorway, not a dead end.
Summary of Main Ideas
Healing as a Process
Wiest stresses that healing isn’t linear or time-bound. It’s a cyclical, evolving process—often slow, always personal. The goal isn’t to erase pain but to learn from it and integrate it.
Recognizing Inner Patterns
Most emotional wounds stem from unhealed patterns formed in childhood or past trauma. By shining light on these, we can begin the process of inner reprogramming—choosing new thoughts, actions, and beliefs that align with our highest selves.
Philosophical and Psychological Insights
Consciousness and the Mind
Wiest draws on both spiritual and cognitive frameworks, teaching that consciousness is the key to change. When we become aware of our thoughts and observe our emotions without judgment, we create space for transformation.
Rewriting Your Inner Narrative
A recurring theme is the power of narrative. The stories we tell ourselves about our worth, identity, and past experiences shape our reality. Healing is, in part, an act of editing these stories with compassion and truth.
Key Lessons from This Is How You Heal
Lesson 1: You Are Not Your Thoughts
Wiest reminds us that the mind often lies. It recycles fear and trauma. By disidentifying from our thoughts, we reclaim control over how we feel and act.
Lesson 2: Growth Comes From Discomfort
Discomfort is a sign that growth is happening. Wiest encourages readers to sit with difficult emotions instead of fleeing them, recognizing them as signals of expansion.
Lesson 3: Healing Is Self-Directed
No one can heal you but you. Others can support, but the inner work must be your own. This is both an empowering and sobering truth.
Lesson 4: Radical Acceptance Precedes Real Change
Before we can grow, we must stop resisting reality. This acceptance isn’t about giving up—it’s about seeing clearly.
Lesson 5: The Present Moment Is the Place of Power
Wiest writes that healing is found in the now. Obsessing over the past or fearing the future removes us from the one place where real change can occur—the present.
Lesson 6: Boundaries Are Acts of Self-Respect
Healing often requires distance from toxic people, habits, or environments. Setting boundaries is framed as a healing necessity, not a selfish act.
Lesson 7: Letting Go Is the Greatest Strength
Whether it’s letting go of perfectionism, pain, or control, Wiest challenges us to release what no longer serves us. In doing so, we create space for what does.
Practical Tools Offered in the Book
Exercises and Reflections
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Daily self-reflection prompts
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Guided thought rewrites (“What is the belief beneath this emotion?”)
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Emotional inventory worksheets
These tools help readers connect theory with real-world healing practices.
Journaling and Self-Inquiry Practices
Wiest emphasizes writing as a path to clarity. She suggests regular journaling on questions like:
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“What am I holding on to?”
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“What needs to be healed?”
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“What do I need to let go of to move forward?”
Comparison with Similar Healing Books
| Book Title | Author | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| The Mountain Is You | Brianna Wiest | Focuses on self-sabotage and personal growth |
| Untamed | Glennon Doyle | Memoir-style, empowerment through breaking societal norms |
| Tiny Beautiful Things | Cheryl Strayed | Advice column format, emotionally raw guidance on love and healing |
While all three share emotional depth, This Is How You Heal leans more toward introspective prompts and mindfulness practices.
Who Should Read This Book?
Target Audience
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Individuals navigating emotional healing
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Those recovering from trauma or heartbreak
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Readers of self-help and personal development
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Coaches, therapists, and wellness practitioners
Benefits for Different Life Stages
Whether you’re in your 20s exploring identity, in your 40s rediscovering purpose, or simply in a season of transition—this book meets you where you are and gently nudges you forward.
Read Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Final Summary of the Book’s Message
Core Takeaway
Healing is about remembering your wholeness. It’s about becoming the person you were before the world taught you fear, shame, or self-doubt.
What You’ll Remember Most
Wiest’s words stay with you—quiet, firm, loving reminders that you’re not broken, you’re becoming.
FAQs about This Is How You Heal
1. Do I need to read The Mountain Is You first?
No. Both books stand alone, though they complement each other beautifully.
2. Is this book religious or spiritual?
It’s spiritual in tone but non-religious. It’s grounded in mindfulness and emotional awareness.
3. Are there actionable steps or just reflections?
There are many practical prompts and exercises, especially for journaling and mindset work.
4. How long is the book?
It’s a short, easily digestible read—ideal for reflection and re-reading.
5. Is it suitable for people in therapy?
Yes. Many therapists recommend it as a supplement to emotional work.
6. What format is best—print, Kindle, or audiobook?
All formats are engaging, but print allows for easier journaling and annotation.
Conclusion
This Is How You Heal by Brianna Wiest isn’t just a book—it’s a companion for your inner journey. With its emotionally rich prose and deep wisdom, it helps you uncover what hurts, honor it, and then transcend it.
For anyone navigating grief, change, identity, or simply the desire to grow—this book is a quiet, guiding light on the path to healing.
