{"product_id":"bless-the-messy-life-lessons-from-a-work-in-progress","title":"Bless the Messy: Life Lessons from a Work in Progress","description":"\u003ctable align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"productDetailSmallElements\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Introspective, vulnerable, and deeply relatable, Jess Bird's\n\u003ci\u003e Bless the Messy \u003c\/i\u003eis the book version of a coffee date with your most thoughtful friend. Jess has generously distilled her complicated, human life into a collection of soul-baring anecdotes sprinkled with comforting wisdom that feels genuine and hard-won. If I'd brought out my highlighter I would have ended up highlighting the whole book.\" -\n\u003cb\u003eTyler Feder, author and illustrator of \u003ci\u003eDancing at the Pity Party\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eBodies are Cool\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A lovely book for your bedside table. (If you can resist the urge to remove and frame the gorgeous pages within and hang them in your home, which I admit, I'm tempted to do.) With delightfully vibrant illustrations and a comforting message, this will make a perfect gift for anyone currently experiencing.. well, life!\" \n\u003cb\u003e-Liz Climo, author of \u003ci\u003eLife in the Present\u003c\/i\u003e and\u003ci\u003e I'm So Happy You're Here\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"The author's vulnerability and willingness to share her trials will be inspiring for others on similar journeys.\"\n\u003ci\u003e \u003cb\u003e-Booklist\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBiographical Note\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJess Bird is a self-taught artist and illustrator, making magic in her hometown of Rochester, New York. Her work has been featured in the \n\u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eEntertainment Tonight\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eYoga Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, and \n\u003ci\u003eVICE\u003c\/i\u003e, and she was named one of \n\u003ci\u003eMarie Claire\u003c\/i\u003e's top twenty-one creators to watch in 2022. Jess is a highly sought-after artist, particularly for content creation related to pride and mental health awareness, and she has partnered with a wide range of brands, including Madewell, Blundstone, Always, Adobe, Pinterest, Hallmark, Calm, Anthropologie, \n\u003ci\u003eYoga Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, and \n\u003ci\u003eVICE\u003c\/i\u003e. Jess started her Instagram and shop Bless the Messy in 2014 in an effort to connect back to herself and others during the darkness of depression. Jess started her business in a closet (both literally and figuratively) and has grown as an artist and human alongside so many of those who have supported her journey, even at a distance. Jess came out as queer in 2017, and also received a late diagnosis of ADHD when she was thirty-one years old. Jess's art reflects her inclusive values, and she is a vocal advocate for queer and trans rights, belonging, mental health, and antiracist action. She lives with her family in Rochester, New York.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"I am so delighted to know this book exists. \n\u003ci\u003eBless the Messy\u003c\/i\u003e is a beautiful journey of grief, healing, and ultimately celebration that imbues hope from the very first page. The way Jess combines art and storytelling creates an immersive and approachable read that will be sure to comfort and encourage any reader.\" \n\u003cb\u003e-KC Davis, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eHow to Keep House While Drowning\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher Marketing\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFor readers of \u003ci\u003eHyperbole and a Half\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eAm I There Yet\u003c\/i\u003e?, \u003ci\u003eBless the Messy\u003c\/i\u003e is a compassionate, distinctive, and voice-driven illustrated personal growth book, one that gives readers permission to radically love themselves, feel their feelings, and live with joy even as--especially as--they may fumble through major life moments, or feel othered by society's narrow norms.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSupreme moments of beauty and joy can be found in the mess. Jess Bird is living proof of that. As a queer woman who received a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis, Jess is raising her kids in a blended family, rewriting the rules as she goes along. Far from being an expert or perfect, she embraces her imperfections and invites you to do the same. By sharing her messy, in-process journey, Jess hopes to connect with those who feel isolated or oppressed by society's narrow norms, making them feel seen and validated. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn this illustrated personal growth book, Jess combines self-reflection, encouragement, and practical guidance. She delves into her struggles and triumphs, offering insights on growing through trauma and healing, breaking free from societal expectations, setting boundaries, redefining home and chosen family, finding self-worth, and embracing anti-perfectionism. The mantra \"Bless the Messy\" runs through it all, reminding us that every emotion, even the uncomfortable ones, is valid and valuable. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBright, hopeful, real, and raw, \n\u003ci\u003eBless the Messy \u003c\/i\u003eis a warm hug of a book that will make you feel a little less alone.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eBooklist\u003c\/span\u003e 05\/01\/2025 pg. 4 (EAN 9781668020708, Hardcover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContributor Bio:\u003c\/strong\u003eBird, Jess\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJess Bird is a self-taught artist and illustrator, making magic in her hometown of Rochester, New York. Her work has been featured in the \n\u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eEntertainment Tonight\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eYoga Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, and \n\u003ci\u003eVICE\u003c\/i\u003e, and she was named one of \n\u003ci\u003eMarie Claire\u003c\/i\u003e's top twenty-one creators to watch in 2022. Jess is a highly sought-after artist, particularly for content creation related to pride and mental health awareness, and she has partnered with a wide range of brands, including Madewell, Blundstone, Always, Adobe, Pinterest, Hallmark, Calm, Anthropologie, \n\u003ci\u003eYoga Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, and \n\u003ci\u003eVICE\u003c\/i\u003e. Jess started her Instagram and shop Bless the Messy in 2014 in an effort to connect back to herself and others during the darkness of depression. Jess started her business in a closet (both literally and figuratively) and has grown as an artist and human alongside so many of those who have supported her journey, even at a distance. Jess came out as queer in 2017, and also received a late diagnosis of ADHD when she was thirty-one years old. Jess's art reflects her inclusive values, and she is a vocal advocate for queer and trans rights, belonging, mental health, and antiracist action. She lives with her family in Rochester, New York.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Bird, Jess\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e S\u0026amp;s\/Simon Element\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePub Date:\u003c\/b\u003e 2025-06-03\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBISAC:\u003c\/b\u003e Self-Help \/ Personal Growth \/ Self-Esteem|Comics \u0026amp; Graphic Novels \/ Nonfiction \/ Biography \u0026amp; Memoir|Comics \u0026amp; Graphic Novels \/ LGBTQ+ \/ General\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSubjects:\u003c\/b\u003e Self-actualization (Psychology)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.15 lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781668020708\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eASIN:\u003c\/b\u003e -\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSKU:\u003c\/b\u003e SP-9781668020708\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"S\u0026s\/Simon Element","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53032964030745,"sku":"SP-9781668020708","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0913\/0380\/5209\/files\/9781668020708_spiral.png?v=1787279676","url":"https:\/\/westbindery.com\/products\/bless-the-messy-life-lessons-from-a-work-in-progress","provider":"West Bindery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}