A supportive and inspiring guide to staying true to yourself through life's challenges by the co-author of international bestseller THE COURAGE TO BE DISLIKED, with charming illustrations by Narano.

What’s the difference between feeling and thinking? Envision your feelings as a jellyfish, extending your thoughts down through its tentacles not only into the rest of your body, but out into the world – any positive, negative, or neutral message that leaves the mind has all this way to travel, and has an impact on others. This is one of many helpful pieces of advice provided by this special book you'll turn to again and again.

Taking place in the imaginative and inventive world of Undersea, The Courage to Be Yourself follows a wise hermit crab and his young octopus pupil, Ockley, as they learn and experience the world together, debating meaningful philosophical questions in an accessible way. Our wise hermit crab guides us through the very real and familiar problems facing readers today, helping us to:

• see the big picture to alleviate anxiety,

• accept and support ourselves through mental health struggles,

• apply our personal discoveries to improve our relationships,

• finding our sense of purpose, and

• express our truth through journaling.

Beautifully written and accompanied by lush illustrations by Narano, The Courage to Be Yourself uses vivid storytelling to help us apply ancient Japanese wisdom and practical philosophy in our daily lives.

About the Author

Fumitake Koga (古賀史健) is an award-winning and internationally bestselling Japanese author. He encountered Adlerian psychology in his late twenties and was deeply affected by its conventional wisdom–defying ideas. Thereafter, Koga made numerous visits to Ichiro Kishimi in Kyoto, gleaned from him the essence of Adlerian psychology, and took down the notes for the classical “dialogue format” method of Greek philosophy that is used in this book. Koga is the co-author, with Ichiro Yishimi, of The Courage to Be Disliked and The Courage to Be Happy.
 

Narano (ならの) is known for producing illustrations with gentle and touching themes. After working as a nursery school teacher in Taiwan, she embarked on an illustration career in 2020. She specializes in book cover art, manga production, music video animation, and web and poster illustration creation. Follow her on Instagram @nara_lalana.