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The Gentle Guides

60-page illustrated workbooks — written softly, felt deeply.

Burnout Recovery

The Burnout Workbook

For anyone who has given too much and forgotten to keep a little for themselves. Reflections, boundary scripts & breathing spaces.

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Inner Child Healing

Coming Home

For the child inside you who learned to be quiet so they could be safe. Reparenting exercises, healing letters & guided visualizations.

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Sleep & Rest

The 7-Day Sleep Reset

A gentle 7-day companion for anyone tired of being tired. One small practice per night. Wind-down rituals & worry list practice.

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Neurodivergent Living

Soft-Wiring

On unmasking, sensory overload & building a life that fits your brain. Written by an autistic adult, for neurodivergent minds.

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Self-Care

Morning Light

A companion for slow living, gentle rest & the quiet art of tending to yourself. Breath, boundaries, joy & daily rituals.

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IBS & Gut Health

The Low-FODMAP Life

Meal plans, food diaries & the emotional support that clinical brochures never offer. Written by someone who actually has IBS.

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Free Interactive Quizzes

Not sure where to start? Take a quiz and get a personalized recommendation.

🔥 Am I Burned Out? 🥦 Find My FODMAP Triggers

About Preben

Hi. I'm Preben Berntsen. I'm autistic. I have IBS. I live with depression. And I decided that none of those things would define what I'm capable of.

I write gentle workbooks because the world is full of self-help books that shout — and not enough that whisper. Every book I make comes from lived experience, not a textbook. From the inside, not the outside.

If you feel deeply, think differently, or just need someone to say "you're not broken" — these books were written for you.

With warmth, Preben ♡

← WrittenSoftlyDeeply

Are You Burned Out?

A gentle 2-minute check-in. 10 questions. No judgment.

Question 1 of 10

How tired do you feel, even after sleeping?

Not just sleepy — the deep, bone-level kind of tired.

I feel rested most days

Sometimes tired, but it passes

Often tired, sleep doesn't fully help

Exhausted every day, no matter what

Question 2 of 10

Have you lost interest in things you used to enjoy?

Hobbies, plans, activities that once brought you joy.

No, I still enjoy my hobbies

Some things feel less exciting

Most things feel pointless lately

Nothing brings me joy anymore

Question 3 of 10

Do small tasks feel impossibly hard?

Like sending an email, making a phone call, or deciding what to eat.

No, tasks feel manageable

Sometimes I procrastinate more than usual

Simple things often feel overwhelming

Even tiny tasks feel like mountains

Question 4 of 10

How often do you feel irritable or short-tempered?

Over things that normally wouldn't bother you.

Rarely — I feel patient

Occasionally snappy

Often irritable without knowing why

Everything and everyone frustrates me

Question 5 of 10

Do you feel emotionally numb or flat?

Not sad, not happy — just... nothing.

No, I feel a range of emotions

Sometimes I feel disconnected

I often feel flat and empty

I can't remember the last time I truly felt something

Question 6 of 10

Are you getting sick more often than usual?

Colds, headaches, stomach problems, general unwellness.

No, my health feels normal

A little more than usual

Noticeably more — my body feels run down

Constantly unwell in some way

Question 7 of 10

Do you dread things that used to feel fine?

Monday mornings, social events, even weekends.

No, I look forward to things

Some things feel heavier than before

I dread most obligations

Everything feels like a burden

Question 8 of 10

Can you "turn off" and rest?

Or does your mind keep running even when your body stops?

Yes, I can relax when I need to

It takes effort but I manage

My mind rarely stops, even at night

I'm wired but exhausted — all the time

Question 9 of 10

Do you feel like you're failing at everything?

Work, relationships, self-care — like you can't keep any plates spinning.

No, I feel capable

Sometimes I doubt myself

I often feel like I'm letting people down

I feel like a failure in every area of my life

Question 10 of 10

Can you remember the last time you felt like yourself?

The real you — before the exhaustion took over.

Yes, I feel like myself most of the time

It's been a while, but I remember

I'm not sure who "myself" even is anymore

I feel like I've lost that person completely

0/30

You're doing okay 💚

Your score suggests you're managing well right now. That's wonderful. But even when things are good, small self-care practices can keep them that way.

Recommended for you:

Morning Light — A Gentle Guide to Self-Care. 60 pages of breath, rest, nourishment, and daily rituals to keep your cup full.

View on Etsy →

0/30

You're running on low 🧡

Your score suggests you're heading toward burnout — or you're already in the early stages. This is the best time to act, before it gets deeper. You caught it. That matters.

Recommended for you:

The Burnout Workbook — 60 pages of gentle reflections, boundary scripts, and breathing spaces to help you find your way back to yourself.

View on Etsy →

0/30

You're burned out, love 🤍

Your score suggests deep burnout. Please hear this: you are not broken. You are not weak. You have been strong for too long without anyone being strong for you. It's time to stop, rest, and let someone help.

Recommended for you:

The Burnout Workbook — A warm, honest companion for exactly this moment. Plus: The 7-Day Sleep Reset if sleep is suffering too.

View on Etsy →

If you're experiencing thoughts of self-harm, please reach out: 988 (US) or 116 123 (UK Samaritans).

← Back to WrittenSoftlyDeeply

← WrittenSoftlyDeeply

Find Your FODMAP Triggers

A gentle quiz to help you identify which foods might be causing your symptoms. 8 questions.

Question 1 of 8

How does your stomach react to bread, pasta, or cereals?

Regular wheat-based products (not gluten-free).

No issues — I eat them fine

Mild bloating sometimes

Often bloated, gassy, or uncomfortable

Always causes pain, bloating, or bowel changes

Question 2 of 8

What happens when you eat onion or garlic?

In cooking, sauces, dressings — even small amounts.

No problems at all

Occasionally uncomfortable

Often causes bloating or stomach pain

My biggest trigger — always reacts

Question 3 of 8

How do you feel after drinking milk or eating soft cheese/yogurt?

Regular dairy, not lactose-free versions.

Totally fine

A little uncomfortable sometimes

Often causes bloating, gas, or cramps

Always causes diarrhea or severe bloating

Question 4 of 8

How do apples, pears, honey, or mango affect you?

These are high in fructose.

No issues

Mild symptoms occasionally

Noticeable bloating or discomfort

Strong reaction every time

Question 5 of 8

What about stone fruits? (Peaches, plums, cherries, avocado)

These contain sorbitol.

No problems

Sometimes a little off

Often causes issues

Always triggers symptoms

Question 6 of 8

How about mushrooms, cauliflower, or sugar-free gum?

These contain mannitol.

Fine with all of these

Occasional mild symptoms

Often causes bloating

Strong reaction

Question 7 of 8

How do beans, lentils, or chickpeas affect you?

These contain GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides).

No issues

A bit gassy but manageable

Significant bloating and gas

Can't eat them at all

Question 8 of 8

Does stress make your gut symptoms worse?

The gut-brain connection is real.

Not really

Sometimes I notice a connection

Stress clearly worsens my symptoms

Stress is my biggest trigger

Your FODMAP Profile

Based on your answers, here are the FODMAP groups most likely to affect you. Remember — this is a starting point, not a diagnosis.

✅ FOODS LIKELY SAFE FOR YOU

⚠️ FOODS TO TEST CAREFULLY

Want the complete guide? My Low-FODMAP workbook has full food charts, a 7-day meal plan, a symptom diary, and a reintroduction tracker — all in 60 beautiful pages.

View The Low-FODMAP Life on Etsy →

Important: This quiz is for educational purposes only. It is not a medical diagnosis. The Low-FODMAP diet should ideally be followed under the guidance of a FODMAP-trained dietitian. If you have severe or changing symptoms, please see your doctor.

← Back to WrittenSoftlyDeeply

WrittenSoftlyDeeply

The Gentle Guides

The Burnout Workbook

Coming Home

The 7-Day Sleep Reset

Soft-Wiring

Morning Light

The Low-FODMAP Life

Free Interactive Quizzes

About Preben

Are You Burned Out?

How tired do you feel, even after sleeping?

Have you lost interest in things you used to enjoy?

Do small tasks feel impossibly hard?

How often do you feel irritable or short-tempered?

Do you feel emotionally numb or flat?

Are you getting sick more often than usual?

Do you dread things that used to feel fine?

Can you "turn off" and rest?

Do you feel like you're failing at everything?

Can you remember the last time you felt like yourself?

You're doing okay 💚

Recommended for you:

You're running on low 🧡

Recommended for you:

You're burned out, love 🤍

Recommended for you:

You might also find these helpful

Find Your FODMAP Triggers

How does your stomach react to bread, pasta, or cereals?

What happens when you eat onion or garlic?

How do you feel after drinking milk or eating soft cheese/yogurt?

How do apples, pears, honey, or mango affect you?

What about stone fruits? (Peaches, plums, cherries, avocado)

How about mushrooms, cauliflower, or sugar-free gum?

How do beans, lentils, or chickpeas affect you?

Does stress make your gut symptoms worse?

Your FODMAP Profile

✅ FOODS LIKELY SAFE FOR YOU

⚠️ FOODS TO TEST CAREFULLY