Confidently Lost

'Heartfelt, honest and hugely comforting. Gavin writes beautifully, weaving calm (and most importantly, joy), through the chaos of modern living. A wise and perspective-shifting guide to making the most of your beautiful life.'  Donna Ashworth - Sunday Times bestselling author of Wild Hope and To The Women Not another self-help book promising “five steps to happiness.” This is a wake-up call, a rallying cry, and a much-needed hug all in one. Brace yourself for the book that flips self-help on its head and gives personal growth a much-needed shake-up. Renowned speaker and bestselling author, Gavin Oattes' latest release, Confidently Lost, is not your typical guide to happiness. Instead, it's an unfiltered, deeply human exploration of what it means to fall apart and rebuild yourself - messy, unpredictable, and gloriously real. Born out of chaos and a "lifequake" moment that shattered his world in 2023, Confidently Lost offers a refreshingly honest take on navigating the aftermath of profound disruption. From unpacking the weight of grief to rediscovering joy in the smallest glimmers, Oattes delivers life lessons with humour, warmth, and the kind of raw vulnerability that feels like a friend grabbing you by the shoulders and saying, “You've got this.” But Confidently Lost isn't just about survival, it's about thriving. Oattes draws readers into powerful reflections, challenging them to ditch perfection, embrace their inner anti-hero, and reclaim the magic of everyday moments. This isn't a book about having all the answers, it's about the courage to admit you're figuring it out as you go, and realising that's more than enough. A Book for Anyone Who's Ever Felt Stuck Using vivid storytelling and laugh-out-loud humour, Confidently Lost tackles universal themes: Letting go of the invisible rucksack of emotional baggage. Smashing the myth of “having it all figured out” and embracing life's chaos. Discovering the beauty in daydreams and the power of stillness. Breaking free from societal expectations (and the tyranny of the Joneses). Reclaiming joy, curiosity, and even the childlike wiggle that comes from pure excitement. Whether you're on the verge of a breakdown, in the middle of a breakthrough, or just figuring out what the hell to do next, Confidently Lost is here to remind you: you're not alone, and you're exactly where you need to be.

Foreword ix 0.5 21st Century Breakdown 1 1 It’s Hard to Be a Person 5 2 No One Gets Left Behind 37 3 The Cult of Serious 65 4 Is This All We Are? 93 5 Invisible Rucksack 121 6 Does Anyone Know What to Do? 149 7 Head. Clouds. Heart. Sleeve. 179 8 Who the Fuck Are the Joneses? 205 9 Come Back Brighter 231 10 That Was a Lot! (Shout Out to Me) 259 Acknowledgements 285 About the Author 287