Today we talk about The amazing book of me, a book by Tshimologo Baloyi published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author Tshimologo Baloyi, to get to know her better, where she found the inspiration to write her book The amazing book of me, as well as what particularly significant experiences in her life find expression in her story.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Where did you find the inspiration to write about how to manage feelings and mental wellbeing?
I have always enjoyed writing from childhood, not only for fun but because it also helped me articulate my feelings well. At some point of life, I let go of this habit and carried on with life. I ended up bottling a lot of emotions and traumas because I could not figure out a way of release. I found comfort in eating, and it started going down hill from there. I gained a lot of weight, made very bad decisions in life, took every chance I could to isolate from real life. I would spend most of my days in dark spaces, locked in, and eating non-stop. This cycle carried on throughout my varsity life. Fast-forward a couple months after graduation, I found love. I did not know it at that point, nor did I even recognise the transition, but I knew that I enjoyed it. My husband changed my life. He spoke to me with such tender love that I started believing in the idea of being worthy of love. He helped me fall in love with myself and it gave me the greatest confidence which has evolved over the years. The inspiration stemmed from my own life experiences and of those around me. I have seen it work and I am also living proof of it.
- Were there any significant experiences you reported in this book? If so, what were they?
The book is affirmations based, an interactive read. There is no narration of my own personal experiences. It is only a book of solutions to building future self-aware adults. I always say ‘assure to insure’- which means that we constantly need to assure ourselves of our worth because it serves as insurance for the days we walk through valleys. It is a book that will arm the little ones with the confidence some of us wish we could have. The book consists if affirmations that some of us wish we heard growing up. We live in a generation of parents that have chosen to be intentional with their ways, and I believe The Amazing Book Of Me will aid that.
- What would you like to hear from parents?
I am looking forward to hearing about the experience they have while reading with their children. They are the key element to ensuring that this journey becomes a success. I want to hear how the book makes them feel as parents and how it has influenced their own lives apart from the parenting role. I believe that the book will also get parents to rethink their own life journeys. It will promote mindfulness within households, leading to more peaceful relationships and interactions. I also want to hear of the changes they have had to make in their lives to allow for this transition to be a swift one. Another thing worth hearing is how their children’s moods have been affected after completing the book. I also want to hear parents recommending the book to their friend and recommending me for speaking engagements! (laughs). I want to hear what the book taught them about their children.
- How did it feel to see your book published?
I have been the most excited. I literally wake up every day and the first thing I do is google my name and I just melt inside. The Lord has been truly faithful, and I thank Him for elevating me to this phase of my life. As a black, African woman, you always have to fight a little harder for your dreams, and even in that hard fight, success is not guaranteed. When we speak about ‘black child it is possible’, we are serving inspiration to others of our own. It has shown me that it cannot end here. I still have more to say and do. We are fighting against many odds. Having my book published was the push I needed to remind myself that it is possible. It has confirmed to be me that I just need to keep pushing, and some day, someone will hear you.
- Are you working on a new writing project?
YES YES and YES (laughs). I am actually 6 months in now. Most of these 8 months consisted on conceptualising. The new project is an adult self-help book. I cannot wait to share it with the world. As a professional strategist, I also had to allocate some time to strategizing the theme of the new book. I am a personal leadership enthusiast and I preach on it every opportunity I get. It is only fair that I put my 2 cents into words again. It will be ready before the year ends, I am just taking my time, allowing for inspiration to come to me. Taking my time takes off unnecessary pressure because this project is more extensive. I have to make sure that when I write, I am at a peaceful state. Speaking from love is such a beautiful and important thing, and practising it requires a good mental space. I need to keep replenishing myself so that I do not end up pouring from an empty cup.
Europe Books thanks the author Tshimologo Baloyi once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside her on the editorial path that led to the publication of her book The amazing book of me. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my dear reader, I wish that this book will be a successful adventure for you and your child, that you will be able to read and comment it together in order to draw interesting reflections and ideas to apply in your everyday relationship and life. At the same time, I hope that the messages, the author wants to convey, can also be of inspiration to you as human beings who are trying to build constructive and functional relationships with your children but also towards the other human beings you are surrounded by .
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy this inspirational and reflective reading!
Your editor!