Learning to Stay (Book)

A reflection on self-love, self-care, and choosing presence

By Dr. Colette Mazzola-Randles

Learning to Stay is a reflective book about presence, self-compassion, and what happens when we keep coping and functioning, but quietly drift away from ourselves.

Written over a year shaped by loss, change, and reflection, this book explores the moments many of us recognise but rarely name. The moments where life feels heavy, uncertain, or overwhelming, and we realise that pushing through is no longer enough.

Blending lived experience with psychological insight, Learning to Stay looks at self-compassion as a practice rather than a personality trait, confidence as presence rather than certainty, and growth as learning how not to leave yourself behind.

This is not a book of quick fixes or instructions. It is an invitation to pause. To reflect. To stay.

Many people who read this book do so alongside coaching or personal reflection. Others simply take it at their own pace, returning to it when something resonates. There is no right way to read it.

If you’re navigating change, carrying more than you let on, or learning how to meet yourself with more honesty and care, this book may offer you a steady companion.