Being Human
The Being Human series of books explores some of the innate challenges of human existence. Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teachings, the series features four stories that follow the journey of interconnected characters, illuminating the different ways we experience our shared struggle of the human condition. The stories are followed by an exploration into the teaching and conclude with a practical process for you to take into your life. Each book focuses on a different teaching, and therefore can stand alone, where you will learn one helpful process at a time. And each book is also one piece of the Being Human puzzle. The whole series — all books connected — forms the complete Being Human method. For an overview of the method, please see video below.
By reading about the story of the characters in each book, you may see some of your own experience in their challenges. And hopefully, you will discover the power of awareness around your humanness, allowing you to engage with your values and have choice over your beingness, with yourself, others and the world. This is at the heart of our purpose and meaning as human beings.
The Being Human Method
The Being Human Books
The Lost Sun tells the story of Winnie, as she struggles to cope with an unwanted change in her life circumstances. Her attempts to control things only leave her feeling more distressed, so can she find another way to bring back the sunshine in her life?
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The Flower in the Pocket tells the story of Wilbur, as he struggles to cope with the anger and frustration caused by his neighbour’s behaviour. With even his beloved garden withering in the face of his emotional pain, can he find a way to bring himself back into balance?
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The Unwanted Friend tells the story of Wren and her friend Mina. They’ve had a complicated relationship over the years, so as Wren faces an important deadline, will she be able to change the way Mina’s presence impacts her?
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The Dragonfly in the Haze tells the story of Walter, as he tries to distract himself with his devices while he waits for some important news. With his world growing increasingly hazy, will he find a way to re-engage despite his emotional uncertainty?
The Being Human collection (Gift Box Set) - $69.95
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Reviews
“The Being Human Collection' is a beautiful series that unravels life's complexities with grace. Carrie not only demystifies intricate topics but equips readers with actionable tools for immediate application. In succinct elegance, these books illuminate the profound depths of the human experience, making it a transformative and invaluable addition to anyone's literary journey.”
Sarah Grynberg, Mindset coach and podcast host - A Life of Greatness
I wholeheartedy applaud this creative endeavour. It’s a wonderful, accessible and practical introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy backed by years of research and application. The writing is extraordinary – it’s like a gentle walk through another person’s life, and the challenges they face. Each story holds up a mirror to the reader – although there was no direct contextual similarity in each of the four volumes, I felt a profound connection with the challenges they faced. These books touched me deeply. Each volume concludes with an afterword, which brings the threads of each story together and presents practical approaches to using the ACT framework in our lives. Aside from the content – I love the illustrations by Elizabeth Szekely.
Carrie – thank you for bringing this collection into the world – bravo!
Ross McIntosh - Work Psychologist, Coach and host of the People Soup Podcast
“Dr Carrie Hayward has done such a good job of writing these stories to help make important, complex ideas understandable and relatable”
Lucy Durack, Actor, Writer and Co-founder of Hey Lemonade.
”This charming and wise story teaches a counter-intuitive life lesson: If you are not willing to have the emotions you have, that is what you'll get. Highly recommended.”
Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D. Originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
“A beautiful collection of stories that poetically capture the essence of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. To read and savour and ponder - and then apply, to make the most of your life.”
Russ Harris, Author of The Happiness Trap, ACT Trainer.
“The Unwanted Friend is a delightful story based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, that illustrates how powerful your mind can be. It provides a range of helpful skills for dealing with your thoughts, doing the things you care about, and befriending your mind.”
Tamar D. Black, PhD, Educational and Developmental Psychologist and author, ACT for Treating Children.
"The latest in Dr. Carrie Hayward's Being Human series, The Man and the Flower in his Pocket, is a tender and touching tale about the power of emotional acceptance and the costs we pay when we're not able to make space for difficult emotions. We see in Wilbur the paradox of experiential avoidance-- when our lives become oriented around controlling or avoiding painful thoughts or feelings, we are no longer focused on what we would truly want to make important in our lives, what really matters to us. This is such an essential lesson in leading a well-lived life. At the end of the book, Dr. Hayward also gives the reader concrete tools for developing emotional acceptance making this book both a pleasure to read and a practical resource."
Jenna LeJeune, Ph.D, Psychologist, Co-author of Values in Therapy: A Clinician’s Guide To Helping Clients Explore Values, Increase Psychological Flexibility, and Live a More Meaningful Life.
"In The Dragonfly in the Haze Carrie does a brilliant job of highlighting how easy it is to become disconnected from the physical world. This book is a timely and wonderful reminder to reconnect with our senses and notice the beauty and wonder that is around us every day."
Kate James, Mindfulness coach, Author of Change Your Thinking to Change Your Life.
“Carrie’s story, The Woman Who Lost the Sun, is a timely reminder of how easy it is for us to get lost in the gloom and to then go looking for life; it is always right here with us. This is a delightful story with illustrations that can help us pause and reconnect. Dr Hayward has written a charming story that fits the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.“
Louise Hayes, PhD, Clinical Psychologist.Past President and Fellow, Association for Contextual Behavioural Science. Author of What Makes You Stronger.
“Dr. Hayward captures beautifully the struggle that is all too familiar to many of us - the desire to be happy and comfortable at the cost of our contentment and connection on a moment-by-moment basis. Through the protagonist Winnie, you will learn to find your internal sunshine once more.”
Aisling Leonard-Curtin, Chartered Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland. Peer-reviewed ACT Trainer. Co-author of The Power of Small.
“Touching and important, speaking to the value of human connection.”
Sally Hepworth, bestselling author of Darling Girls and The Good Sister.
“Carrie has an incredible ability to clearly identify and articulate the complexity, the struggle and the beauty of the human experience. As a result, reading these books/this book can help us feel less alone in our sometimes challenging journey of life. She harnesses the power of story, and adds evidence-based theory and accessible strategies. In doing so, she offers us both a companion for life and a practical resource to support us to live with more purpose, passion and connection. I cannot wait to recommend these beautiful books/this beautiful book to all of my clients as well as savor my very own copies”
Liv Downing - Psychologist, Meditation & Mindfulness teacher, Author.
“We can all relate to Winnie… the power of connecting to story telling has a profound impact on our acceptance of the experience we are living. Asking the question “Who is the person I want to be right now” should be noted everyday, and then connecting the answers to your emotional experience so that you can choose your process as best you can. Thanks Carrie for sharing what can be a complex ideology into a simpler practice of acceptance.”
Lance Picioane, Founder and CEO of Love Me Love You
“The Woman Who Lost the Sun is a delightful introduction to the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and in particular, the importance of living in alignment with your values. Carrie's caring and creative approach make this engaging little book an accessible and enjoyable read for people of all ages."
Kate James, Mindfulness coach, Author of Create Calm.
"This delightful little book by Dr Hayward, will light up your day. It would be gorgeous to give as a gift, to have in your waiting room or to live beside your bed. It is a modern day fable with a deeper meaning conveying hope and action to move you towards living the life you need. Dip into it when you need a pick me up, or when you want to feel less alone when life gets dark. It’s a gorgeous book for anyone!“
Rachael O’Connor, Psychologist. ACT Therapist. Director of The Therapy Spot.