The Unsubtle Art of Unf*cking Your Life

By Andi Wiseman


INSPIRED BY THE 12-STEP PROGRAM founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio by two white, evangelical-leaning Christian guys from Vermont, this unique journal offers an even more inclusive and widely accessible brand of guidance and support for anyone looking to recover from anything specifically, or just improve their lives generally.
Tired of typical self-help tropes? Has your own recovery or wellness journey ever been dismissed or ignored because your path doesn't fit the dominant narrative? With practical tools and exercises coupled with important affirmations that weren't available in the 1930s (and some fun activities too), The Unsubtle Art of Unfcking Your Life is the perfect journal for anyone looking to take charge of their own life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Apr 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9781779414434

Andi Wiseman

I created this journal for several reasons.One reason is my own experiences with adversity, stigma and recovery.Another reason is my years of frontline nonprofit work serving marginalized, criminalized and stigmatized people. Working in (often racist and fundamentally colonial) systems that govern our lives repeatedly taught me that cultural exclusion is usually intentional.The harmful "all or nothing" tenets of traditional 12-step ideologies became increasingly infuriating. I supported hundreds of women who were shamed and excluded by their peers in recovery. The consequences of this cultural exile were always serious and, for many, even fatal.I've been a proponent of unpopular truths and the inconvenient inclusions they invite for a long time. This journal was created with unconditional compassion for everyone, no matter who or where they are, and regardless of how their individual journeys unfold.Here's to survival, healing and recovery, in all the ways and for everyone. (And mildly offensive levity. Because laughter is the best fucking medicine of all.) ~ Andi

Book preview

Table of Contents

Instructions for Use

Dedication

12 Steps (some not the)

Write It Out

Journalling Ideas

more Journalling Ideas

Afterword

Gratitude & Acknowledgments

Instructions for Use

DO use this journal to:

✓ write

✓ draw

✓ rant

✓ reflect

✓ give as a gag gift

✓ re-gift as a gag gift

✓ line a litter box

✓ level a wobbly table or chair

✓ shred and/or make paper crafts

✓ do any harmless joy-sparking things that nurture healing and/or recovery

DO NOT use this journal to:

replace, skip or avoid therapy

replace, skip or avoid medication

depoliticize social issues/inequities

hit anyone (literally or figuratively)

form a cult / promote mob mentality

start uncontained or illegal fires

do any harmful, hateful or otherwise assholey things

Dedication

This journal is for anyone whose life feels like if a five-ring circus fucked an explosive trainwreck, resulting in one or more generally unmanageable disasters of incalculable proportions.

It is for anyone who is not only prepared to take personal responsibility wherever and wherever it can be taken, but is also willing to be proactive in making shit right or better and positively changing what can be changed in their life—whatever what can be changed subjectively means.

It is for anyone who identifies as being in (or wanting to achieve) recovery from something—whatever that subjectively means.

It is particularly for anyone who has ever felt dismissed or ignored because their experiences and/or points of view don’t fit within popular or dominant practices, beliefs or definitions – especially regarding recovery.

Most importantly, it is for anyone who desperately needs some goddamn paper to line a litter box or level a wobbly table or chair, and has nothing else on hand.

12 Steps (some not the)

admission #1

All the things I actually have choices about in my life are seriously fucked up because of my own shitty behaviours, actions and choices.

belief

Things are so fucking bad right now I’m willing to