You Are Here (for Now): A Guide to Finding Your Way by Adam J. Kurtz

You Are Here (for Now): A Guide to Finding Your Way Reviews

• 
  Valerie

  I really enjoyed this book! while it wasn't groundbreaking in any way, and some parts didn't resonate with me as much as I'd hoped for, I still find this book really decent and heartwarming!! a lot of the things in this book are gentle reminders that people (me included) often forget in the midst of alllll the frenzy life constantly throws at you, so it's nice to have little reminders such as this. it's super easy to read as well so I would recommend this for people who needs a cozy little pick-me-up!
• 
  Kaitlin

  Adam J. Kurtz’s signature pencilled aphorisms and poignant folded paper illustrations are peppered throughout this succinct, vulnerable book. I’ll admit that I even felt self-conscious buying this, because doing so was an admission that I myself have been needing guidance, self-compassion, and some radical honesty.
  
  Being raised in a particular kind of Southern Chinese household, my family’s modus operandi was to 吃苦, which means to swallow our bitterness. Expressing envy, doubt, and fear, especially with regards to one’s ambitions or hopes, was a no-go zone.
  
  Reading Kurtz’s friendly, assuring tome reminded me that we often have to take matters into our own hands when everything is falling apart. And not in a “happiness is (always) a choice” kind of way, but more like “find the little time you can to ask yourself if the way you’re living is still working for you or if it’s a whole load of emotional baggage.”
  
  I loved this little, elegant book. It does a lot within its pages. Kurtz has spoken about how often people underestimate his work because of how deceptively simple it may look to some. But it’s the bravery, finesse and graphic purity of his work that makes it a winning antidote to life’s sorrows.
• 
  Jenn

  [I received this book as a gift from the publisher with no expectation that I leave a review. They simply requested that I post a photo of the book to social media.]
  I LOVED this book. You Are Here (for Now) is a self-help book for people who don't like self-help books.
  Going in, I figured I would read the book and think "I wish I would have had this book when I was 20 or 25." While I do agree that it would have helped me out a lot as a 20-something, I was caught off guard by how much the book hit home for me at 40. I even found myself tearing up in the sections about creativity, failure, and competition. These are chapters I know I will return to again and again, just like I periodically reread Bird by Bird and Steal Like an Artist.
  Adam blends just the right amount of snark into his calls for persistence and hope. In doing so, his advice is all the more believable. I've been meaning to buy one of his books for awhile. Reading YAHFN has inspired me to go buy one of his other books right now, before I get distracted and forget again.
• 
  Julienne Reads

  Just what I needed. A hug in the form of words.
  
  I think this is perfect for people who want to start reading non fiction books. It didn’t feel like someone was bossing you around… telling you how to live your life.
  
  It felt like a friend who knows all the right words to say.
• 
  Shinjini

  3.5
• 
  Bess

  Really lovely for what it is. With self help books and inspirational books, I think it’s best to go in hoping to learn just two or three things that change your perspective or help you grow in some way, and this book did do that for me. I read it over the course of almost two months and I think that’s a reasonable pace to let yourself think it over as you go. Would really recommend for those late 20s thru mid 30s.
• 
  Megan McSherry

  loved it. will 100% read it again. kept it on my nightstand and it’s perfect for picking up for a few pages at a time. I also really appreciated the honesty re: suicide at the end. an artistic and poetic and honest self help book that won’t make you feel like shit or shove annoying inspirational quotes down your throat lol
• 
  Astha Chand (asthacreates)

  This book made me smile and chuckle throughout. A sweet lil book that’s there to serve as a reminder: we’re here* so we might as well make the most of it.
  
  *for now.
  
  Some generic phrases? Maybe. But I think overall it all tied together and complimented the narrative.
  I also appreciate that the author did not have a holier-than-thou approach; it felt like a friend was giving me advice 😊
• 
  Sare

  Love this book, will re-read in the future.
• 
  Rose B

  Absolutely loved this. Not a self help book really, at least not the way all other self books I've read are. It's more like a mentor or loved one passing on lessons learned or themes noticed in life. I highly recommend to young adults and anyone worried about their circumstances in life.
• 
  Barbara

  This lovely book is filled with comforting, kind, wise words.
• 
  Jay

  Modern, necessary affirmations as told to you by your witty, self-realized bff who also has high functioning anxiety.
• 
  Haley Ingersoll

  This book is really beautiful. The words were like medicine for me, living in a tough time personally and collectively. I see myself coming back to it often for wisdom and gems of insight, and will keep it in mind as a gift to anyone else who may need a pick-me-up.
• 
  Rach

  I’ve always loved Adam’s artistic voice when I’ve seen him around on the internet, and I loved being able to spend a little longer with it here.
  
  In fact, the only time failure is truly final is if you don’t use what you’ve learned through the experience to try again.
  
  This book is gentle and reassuring, its tone honest and open. Adam does his best to give us help in the chaos of the world to figure ourselves out. It actually allowed me to confront some things I’ve ignored for a while, by giving me space to accept them as part of me. Mainly some elements of my past and the feeling of not wanting to Be Here (which is also, thankfully, mostly a part of my past).
  
  The lessons about how dreams can change have been hitting particularly hard. I’ve been constantly scraping my way along a set path I chose for myself at a young age, but only now have stopped to wonder what else is out there. If the path isn’t as linear as I once thought, and I don’t need to race to an ending I’m probably building up in my head. Reading this short and sweet book helped emphasize that feeling in a way I appreciated.
  
  It’s really well done. Are the lessons some we’ve heard before? Yes, but as with any teachings, it only sticks if we hear it enough times. And being able to look at, in bold letters, YOU DESERVE TO BE HERE AS MUCH AS ANYONE ELSE was profound to me. I suffer a lot from rejection sensitivity and beat myself up to the point of thinking I don’t deserve it (it being a career, a chance, a life, etc)… when I do. We all deserve to enjoy and hold onto as much of our lives as we can.
• 
  Shirley Park

  Not for me, but okay! It seemed like a lot of generic messaging for an audience that experiences a lot of anxiety.
  
  Low point was the chapter that dealt with suicidal ideation - Reasons to Stay Alive. It read like a list of reasons the author may have used to help themselves, but as a message for a larger audience seemed a bit flippant. It's not that the content was bad, but the format used throughout the book didn't seem sufficient here.
  
  I enjoyed the sequence of designs on the left leaves of the book that illustrated the progression of some of the authors' points, stated on the right leaves.
• 
  pea.

  the option to pre-order this little gem popped up in a social media feed on a low-low-end-of-the-road-why-why-noone lovesme-dark day.
  when it showed up the i had forgotten it was ordered.
  so glad it was ordered.
  it is a megaphone for that part of you that gets drowned out by doubt, depression, anxiety and the murk of the world.... a magnifying glass that shows you the wonders that are there everyday.
  
  we may not agree on the concept of happiness (tho my own opinion is always in flux) and the idea of being IN love is a bit of a rough spot for spot for one gluing together a shattered heart....
  
  things may suck today but it is going to be the best sucky day.
• 
  Deirdre Keating

  I’m biased. I’ve never met Adam JK but I’ve followed him on social for years and adore his work. Almost a decade ago, I ordered one of his planners for Aidan on Kickstarter and then failed to see the emails asking for a mailing address so he refunded me and sent the kindest note to such a lame contributor (me). His Instagram makes me smile and not completely give up all faith in humanity. And since I preordered, it came with stationary “toolkit.” The book is so original in how it is put together and just so very “Adam.” The content is mostly what you expect, and I mean that as a high compliment in this case.
• 
  Eetu Karppanen

  I think magic of this book is around situations you might are, and what feels you might be going through. When someone is capable to write the exact same feelings out and kind of gives permission to feel those. Just by saying it's okay to be here, for now, it affects to our brains giving feeling of relief and allowance to just be in the moment.
  
  Joyful and humorous (but not too much) reading experience. Contained a lot of compassionate and permission to feel things you might be feeling in different phases of your life. Liked.
• 
  Tami Lickteig

  I wanted a quick read to start the New Year and this book was that. It had me captive in the beginning when it talked about how, "You can't control anything or anyone but yourself, and the earlier you embrace this as truth, the easier it gets." I also liked the quote, "Great displays of power are often surprisingly quiet." The part about being too busy was funny and right on too. It kinda fizzled out for me around the Jell-O comparison though and just went downhill from there.
• 
  Grace Usleman

  Quick and comforting. An easy way to find some peace and encouragement when you don’t know where to turn. The words aren’t exactly groundbreaking, but they are wonderful reminders that I think we call could use when the going gets tough…and even when things AREN’T all that tough, this serves as a reminder of all that we have been through and accomplished. A collection for self-help, self-reflection, self-confidence, and a perfect addition to the Adam JK collection.
• 
  Kelli Jenkins

  This has been the right thing at the right time and I’m forever an adamjk stan ✨ highly recommend for anyone who just needs a little inspiration, encouragement, or a tiny nudge to do ~the thing~ because this book reminds you that nobody is coming to save you… but is still uplifting? Because presence is magic. You’re the one that’s coming to save you, happiness is (kind of) a choice, and things don’t get done if you don’t do them.
• 
  Raquel

  This is a short, sweet, honest, small book of truisms that are helpful when you're feeling adrift, down, scattered, or otherwise in need of a boost to make you feel better about being a person living a messy, weird life in this messy, weird world. I just wish it were longer, honestly. Its adorable small size makes it portable and I'll likely tote it around to refer back to or bolster me in situations when I need it.
• 
  Rebecca Lumbrix

  A really sweet little pick-me-up for anyone feeling a little lost, which at this point in time I can only assume is all of us. If you like @adamjk on Instagram, you'll enjoy this book, as it is basically expansions of the little mantras and such that he posts. Good to read cover-to-cover, would also be good to pick up and read bits & pieces when you're feeling down.
• 
  Lilly | mothcub

  This a cute and concise little book that at once doesn't take itself too seriously, but also manages to give just enough gravity to its more difficult topics. Adam's art has been a particular inspiration to me for years, and his encouraging voice is pretty great whether from his drawings or from this book.
• 
  Arminzerella

  Some useful and astute observations from the author that can provide some comfort and insight to those who need some guidance, hope, or just to reassess their expectations (the society we live in sets us up for disappointment/failure). Chapters include a longer written section, then shorter passages distilling that into more succinct points accompanied by torn/folded paper images.
• 
  Kimberly Marquez

  THOROUGHLY enjoyed this book. Adam JK is the right balance of realistic but inspirational in a non-cheesy way. It is an easy, light read but highly inspiring. I bookmarked so many pages along the way. This is the type of book I would give as a gift and would want anyone going through a hard time (all of us) to read.
• 
  Macken Sloan

  I think this is neat. It honestly didn’t provoke any sort of giant epiphany for me personally but I could see this being very helpful to other people especially younger people and teenagers. I first found out about Adam’s work from my heavily online tumblr teen days and I am sure I would have been super into this if it existed during that time in my life.
• 
  Maggie

  Adam J Kurtz (known on social media as AdamJK) never disappoints me. This book is a kind, humorous and moving reminder that, while I am HERE, the path before me & all the choices related to the path - including the choice to continue moving forward - are mine to make. Kurtz consistently illuminates the joy of possibilities and importance of knowing oneself.
• 
  Cristina G

  Decided to finally finish this book I got at the start of 2022 :) This is one of those books you can randomly go back to when you're feeling ~things~ and you need an external voice to speak to you, haha. You can just flip to a certain page, and you can find something that resonates with you. ALSO, So many funny internal monologues that I can relate to 😂