Life throws curveballs. Sometimes, they're playful little bouncers, easy to handle with a laugh and a swat. Other times, they're heavy fastballs that knock you off your feet and leave you reeling. During one of those particularly brutal stretches, I stumbled upon a book that became an unexpected source of solace: Figments of Persuasion.

Forget dry psychology texts or self-help manuals overflowing with forced positivity. Figments of Persuasion was a promising and vivid field guide, bursting with fantastical illustrations and an intriguing premise: emotions personified as creatures called Figments.

At first, it felt frivolous. How could a book filled with creatures like the Spirit of Delight or the Gloom Gremlin possibly help me navigate the very real storm I was facing? But as I delved deeper, a spark ignited within me.

The book's core message resonated deeply. It acknowledged the universality of emotions – the fact that everyone, regardless of background or experience, encounters these emotional beings. The mischievous Joy Sprites I'd read about? I hadn't felt their presence in a long time, but I vividly recalled them flitting about during happier times. And the Slinking Shadow of Doubt, oh, that one had become a constant, unwelcome guest.

Figments of Persuasion didn't try to sugarcoat my situation. It didn't tell me to banish the shadows or force a smile. Instead, it offered a different perspective. By giving these emotions a form, a name, it somehow made them feel less overwhelming.

Suddenly, the ever-present Gloom Gremlin wasn't an amorphous cloud of negativity but a creature I could almost see, its hunched posture and drooping eyes mirroring my own despair. This visualization, strange as it may sound, was strangely empowering. It allowed me to acknowledge the Gremlin's presence without being consumed by it.

The book also introduced me to Figments I hadn't quite recognized within myself. The Patient Stone, for instance, embodied a quiet strength I hadn't realized I possessed. As I read about its unwavering presence, a flicker of that same resilience ignited within me. Perhaps, I thought, I could weather this storm after all.

Figments of Persuasion became a companion on difficult days. When the Slinking Shadows threatened to overwhelm me, I'd flip through the pages, seeking solace in the vibrant illustrations and the descriptions of Figments, who embodied resilience and hope. The Brisk Bees, with their tireless industry, reminded me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. The Shimmering Sprite of Wonder, though seemingly out of reach at the time, offered a glimpse of a future where joy might return.

Over time, the grip of those difficult days loosened. But Figments of Persuasion remained a treasured companion. As I revisit the book, I find new meaning in its pages. Now, the Joy Sprites aren't just a reminder of happier times, but a celebration of the resilience that brought me back to them. The Patient Stone serves not just as a symbol of quiet strength, but as a reminder of the battles I've already weathered.

Figments of Persuasion may not be your typical self-help book, but for me, it became a powerful tool for navigating life's emotional storms. It offered solace, perspective, and a strange sort of companionship through a difficult time. And for that, it holds a special place on my bookshelf, a reminder of the fantastical creatures that helped me navigate the very real challenges of life.

About the book:

Figments of Persuasion is a unique coloring book that is based on emotions—the figments that all humans share. While we all feel our emotions and deal with them differently, the emotions we experience come from shared experiences and feelings. This field guide explores the new mythological creatures that embody those emotions. As you explore the World of Figments of Persuasion and color your way, you will perhaps see the Figments that have come from your feelings and those around others you know. Therefore, enjoy, color, and allow these figments to hopefully come across your own feelings and emotions—to enrich your life.