Woman standing in doorway smiling, wearing a dark blue top and cardigan with dark blue jeans near a glass door.

Coming October 2026

Published by She Writes Press | Distributed by Simon & Schuster

For fans of Eat, Pray, Love and You Are a Badass (who secretly wish they spent more time on the fall-apart part), this memoir pulls back the curtain on the messy, hilarious, and painful reality of spiritual awakening—and the new kind of freedom that can come with it.

What happens when the life you built—and the person who built it—no longer fit?

When loss, burnout, and divorce dismantle the identity Kathleen Branigan had worked so hard to create, the questions she’s been avoiding finally catch up. What’s actually true? Who am I beneath the masks, roles, and effort? What does freedom mean?

What follows is an unexpected, funny, humbling search for the truth. She questions the Catholic faith she was raised in. She reads all the self-help books. Earns a master’s in religious studies. Sits with therapists and spiritual teachers. Jumps out of an airplane. Travels to the Amazon for an ayahuasca retreat. She looks for answers anywhere she thinks they might be hiding.

Slowly, she begins to see that true fulfillment doesn’t come from fixing yourself, finding the perfect teacher, or the next breakthrough, but from stopping the search and listening inward.

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What People Are Saying

  • “Genuinely one of the best reads I’ve had in ages. I found it truly engaging, sparky, warm, honest and hilarious.”

    Sally
    Book Club Leader
    London

  • “A gentle yet powerful guide to living with more creativity and ease—and transcending your mind’s shenanigans.”

    Gay Hendricks, Ph.D
    NY Times Best Selling Author of The Big Leap
    Ojai

  • “I’m so glad I got my hands on an early copy of this book! It was exactly what I needed. Funny, honest, inspiring, and deeply relatable. I’ll be buying copies for many of my friends.”

    Lindsey Salatka
    Author of Fish Heads and Duck Skin
    San Diego

  • “Loved it. It’s like Jen Sincero meets Eckhart Tolle. Your voice is such a unique combination of humor and deep insights.”

    Stella Papadopoulos
    Author of I’m Getting Divorced Where Do I Start?
    Montreal

  • “I CANNOT stop reading. Thank you for giving me a sense of comfort I knew existed but hadn't shown its face to me in quite some time. I absolutely love it.”

    Joy
    New York City

  • “I couldn't put it down, finished it in almost one sitting. You have a knack for explaining some really challenging concepts and the voice is so clear. My only critique is I was sorry when it ended.”

    Dena
    Annapolis

  • “Totally relatable and readable—the humour throughout had me laughing and smiling, which worked well with the seriousness of the journey you were taking.”

    Sarah
    Hong Kong

  • “It made me laugh, cry, think, feel, and listen more than any book I’ve ever read.”

    Lisa
    Washington, D.C.

  • “I loved this book so much, I was heart broken when it was over. Please write a sequel!”

    Meredith
    Naples

  • “Absolutely loved it… it’s beautifully written, funny, honest, warm, intelligent.”

    Sheila
    Washington, DC

  • “I don't normally read books like this but I was immediately drawn in and could relate to your struggles. I cried, I laughed... great book!"

    Greg S.
    Asheville

  • “WOW!!!! You struck such a balance between the funny stories and deeper spiritual lessons. I didn’t want it to end.”

    Louise B.
    Chicago

  • “This book is just awesome.”

    Bridget
    Vail

  • “I laughed out loud at least six times in just the first chapter.”

    Jason
    Charlotte