Book Review — Micro Meditation: Moments of calm for a happier, healthier life, by Nicci Roscoe

Book Review — Micro Meditation: Moments of calm for a happier, healthier life, by Nicci Roscoe

Publisher: Cico Books

144 Pages

Release Date: March 11, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Micro Meditation is a collection of small, simple ways to change your outlook on life in a few moments. Whether you’re feeling frustrated, stressed, or uncertain, there are ways to stop, take action, and feel differently about the situation. The author notes the benefits of traditional meditation but also laments the lack of time to indulge in this during busy days when challenges can arise from any direction. Having these micro meditations — from ice cream to facial massage — in your toolbox helps you handle just about anything life can throw your way.

I think there are many useful points in this book. As busy people leading modern, bustling lives, we have to take moments of peace where we can find them — or create our own. A calming breath, a therapeutic scream, or a good laugh can all be mini-moments of therapy. However, I would say that it’s important for readers to be discerning and pick out what’s useful for them. For example, someone with chronic anxiety may struggle with simply stopping and taking a deep, calming breath. Some people even find focusing on their breath more stressful, particularly some neurodivergent people. I think that the author’s analogy of a sweetshop/candy store works really well — you can dip in and out of the book, picking what works for you and what doesn’t. Similarly, you can choose micro meditations that suit one particular situation or mood, then use different ones on a different day, as needed. You know yourself best, so if the thought of splashing cold water on your face stresses you out, you know, just don’t do that! Look for one of the many, many other useful micro meditations in this book, like a brisk walk, gratitude journaling, or working on inner dialogue.

As someone who deals with the challenges of ADHD, micro-anything is appealing to me. Keeping my attention on something for long periods of time is only possible if I am really passionate about it — or if there’s a deadline coming up! I wrote a little bit about how helpful it was (for me) to split things into smaller chunks and see those chunks as steps in the right direction. I called this living in microtransactions, and it works as long as I can stop the negative self-talk that tells me I’m not doing enough. This book feels like it connects well to that philosophy. The author acknowledges that sometimes longer, traditional meditation is required, or even therapy for those big problems or traumas that aren’t going anywhere. But these micro meditations are a way of dealing with the stresses of everyday life. They put you back in control of your actions, your emotions, and your stress levels, and help you navigate challenges more successfully and with more energy left over to pour into the things you love.

I love the author’s writing style, which is just like having a conversation with a pal. There’s no judgemental attitude — no “You must do this! — just plenty of options for different ways to face obstacles, manage stress, or refocus on your true goals. I also really enjoyed the real-life stories that show how these micro meditations benefit people in real life. It’s nice to see the impact these actions have on real people, but beyond that, these short tales give you some great examples of how you can use meditation or positive moments to change your own life. They’re inspiring and uplifting — something we all need a bit more of every now and then.

Finally, I have to mention the art by Camila Gray. These beautiful, welcoming, vibrant images complete this book and make it a joy to open, every time. They are wonderfully inclusive, with people from all backgrounds and walks of life shown taking part in these micro meditations. The way the images are used to break up the blocks of text makes the book very accessible and easy to read, and I would say that while it’s obviously aimed at adults, teens would also find this book useful and entertaining.

All in all, this is everything I want in a “self-help” book: a rollicking read, useful, actionable tips, and non-judgmental advice. The beautiful art and real-life stories are the icing on the cake. Highly recommended.

Nicci Roscoe works with people to help them make positive changes in their lives, using her qualifications in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), Reiki, crystal healing, meditation, and more. She’s also worked as a leader in the fitness industry, has a background in media, and is now the author of several books. As well as Micro Meditation, she has published My Crystal Guide (for children), Fabulous Impact: Step Into The New You & Rewrite Your Own Script, and Manifest Your Everything. You can find more information on Nicci on her website.

Camila Gray is a talented and prolific illustrator based in São Paulo, Brazil. Her work includes many book covers for authors like Claire Carver and Audrey Goldberg Ruoff, plus, of course, the majority of the artwork and imagery for Nicci Roscoe’s Micro Meditation book. You can view more of Camila’s work online or follow her on Instagram.

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Review Author: Mabh Savage

Mabh Savage is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist and content creator. She’s a nature-based witch, obsessed with Irish and British Paganism and Folklore, plus she’s a massive plant and bird nerd. She’s also a long-time Hekate devotee and a newbie Lokean. She works extensively with the UK Pagan Federation, including editing their bi-annual children’s magazine, Aether. Mabh is a passionate environmentalist and an advocate for inclusiveness and positive social transformation.

Mabh is the author of A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors,  Pagan Portals – Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways, and most recently, Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living. Pre-order her upcoming book, The Magic of Birds, here. Search “Mabh Savage” on Spotify and @Mabherick on all socials.