Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

Dr. Julie Smith: Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?

A woman poses as she holds a book with bookshelves in the background.

Are you ignoring your mental health because you don’t want to commit to therapy? What if you could simply help yourself? You’ll find encouragement and more from Dr. Julie Smith. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? is her practical guide of actionable advice and tools for coping with life’s common challenges, designed to educate you about your own mental health. Continue reading for an overview of this book that could put you on a path toward wellness.

Believe in Your Abilities: 3 Ways to Foster a Sense of Positive Belief

A superhero doing a pose and looking in the mirror to believe in her abilities.

What’s your destiny? Are you holding onto things that are holding you back? Are you failing to embrace the things that will move you forward? In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron argues that belief is a cornerstone in maximizing your creative potential and achieving your artistic destiny. She shares three tips that can help you believe in your abilities and potential: trust the process, embrace and detach, and nourish yourself. Continue reading to get the details of her advice.

The Walden Bean Field: How Thoreau Spent His Mornings

Why did Henry David Thoreau plant beans at Walden? How did his bean field occupy so much of his time? In the 1840s, Henry David Thoreau built a cabin at Walden Pond, on the outskirts of Concord, Massachusetts, and lived there for two years. While we usually think of Thoreau spending time in the woods, he spent a considerable amount of time in his field. Keep reading to learn about the Walden bean field and what it provided Thoreau.

The Jagat Seth Family: Mughal India’s Merchants & Kingmakers

Silhouette of a wealthy person standing in front of a palace in India.

Who were the Jagat Seths? How did they make their money—and how did they use it to influence Mughal India? The Jagat Seths were one of Mughal India’s wealthiest and most influential families. They used their wealth and power to shape the political scene, financially backing coups in collusion with the East India Company. Read more to learn about the powerful Jagat Seth family of financiers.

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? Quotes From Julie Smith

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What are emotions? What’s the difference between “confident” and “comfortable”? How are low moods part of a vicious cycle? In Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?, Dr. Julie Smith shares skills you need to navigate common life challenges and take charge of your emotional and mental well-being. She covers how to identify and challenge negative thoughts, why self-compassion is essential, and how to lessen the power of strong negative emotions. Keep reading for several Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? quotes to get a good sense of the book’s ideas.

Barbra Streisand: Politics & Philanthropy Are Her Twin Passions

What presidential candidates received support from Barbra Streisand? What charitable causes does she give toward? According to Barbra Streisand, politics and philanthropy are her twin passions. Despite her extraordinary career, Barbra Streisand—who’s now in her 80s—doesn’t discuss her work when talking about her legacy. Instead, she emphasizes her desire to leave a kinder and fairer world for future generations. Read more to learn about the causes that Streisand holds close to her heart.

Art Perfectionism: Tips From Elizabeth Gilbert & Julia Cameron

An artist giving her paintings a thumbs up to show her pride in her art perfectionism.

Is “good enough” not good enough for you? Are your standards unrealistically high? Are you willing to produce something that’s not all that great? Whether you create paintings, blog posts, music, or hairstyles, you have a personal standard. You might also tend to set that standard too high. We’ve pulled together some advice on how to overcome art perfectionism from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic. Read more to get some encouragement—and perhaps a needed adjustment in your standards.

Henry David Thoreau and Nature: Woods & Wildlife at Walden Pond

Why is Henry David Thoreau considered one of the founders of ecology? How did he connect nature with spirituality? During his two years at Walden Pond, Henry David Thoreau spent hours every day walking and observing the nature that surrounded him. He also strove to live by the rhythms of the natural world. Continue reading to learn about Henry David Thoreau and nature at Walden Pond.

The History of Mir Jafar: Was He the Benedict Arnold of India?

Who was Mir Jafar? Was he just a puppet of the East India Company and the British? How is he regarded today? Mir Jafar served as a military general before becoming the first Nawab of Bengal under the authority of the British East India Company, making him the first ruler of the region dependent on the British for power. He’s a complicated figure with a problematic reputation still today. Keep reading to learn the intriguing history of Mir Jafar.

My Name Is Barbra: Barbra Streisand’s Memoir (Overview)

A silhouette of a woman facing bright lights on a stage.

What’s Barbra Streisand’s background? How does she view herself? What does she value most? My Name Is Barbra, Barbra Streisand’s memoir, tells us about the personal and professional life of one of the most successful and well-rounded performers in history. In addition to her career, Streisand is also known for being a feminist, environmentalist, and philanthropist. Continue reading for an overview of this 1,000-page autobiography.