New book focuses on prioritising yourself

LENNOX Head author Hollie Azzopardi is launching her new book The People Pleaser’s Guide to Saying Yes to You at The Book Room at Byron on April 3.

The book is a follow-up to The People Pleaser’s Guide to Putting Yourself First, which was released in 2022, but promises to be a much grittier read.

“My first book was written at a peak time in my life,” 35-year-old Azzopardi said. “My husband and I had just moved up to the Northern Rivers from Sydney, my health was thriving in pregnancy, life was amazing.

“It was very easy to write about how to ‘put yourself first’ when I didn’t have many challenges to overcome at that time.

“My second book is written from polar-opposite experiences. I navigated complex post-traumatic stress disorder, compound trauma and postpartum depression.

“My physical health was the worst it’s ever been, with chronic illness and autoimmune conditions triggered after the birth of my little girl.

“This book is far more gritty, raw and vulnerable than my first.”

Azzopardi, who also hosts an online women’s circle, said the book is written for anyone going through a major life transition and losing themselves along the way.

“For me, it was my transition into motherhood, but it could be a relationship breakdown, navigating grief, losing a job – any area of life that feels chaotic or out of our control,” she said.

“The premise of the book is to slow down, tune in and shine bright.”

In the book, Azzopardi shares practices and tools she used to pick up the pieces and “find herself” again, including baseline nervous system techniques and esoteric and energetic practices.

She also covers tall poppy syndrome and imposter syndrome.