Skip to content

ABOUT
- Meet Kate
  Hi, I’m Kate. I’m a Duke professor, podcaster, and author with a single mission: giving you permission to feel human. After years of being told I was incurable, I was declared cancer-free. But there’s no going back. I am forever changed by what I discovered: life is so beautiful and life is so hard. For everyone.
  ABOUT KATE
  Get to Know Me
  HUMAN
  AUTHOR
  PODCAST HOST
  SPEAKER
  How to Connect
  NEWSLETTER
  BOOKING
  EVENTS
  CONTACT
  PRESS
PODCAST
- Everything Happens.
  Are you living your best life now? Not always? This is a podcast for you. Duke Professor Kate Bowler is an expert in the stories we tell about success and failure, suffering and happiness. She had Stage IV cancer. Then she didn’t. And since then, all she wants to do is talk to funny and wise people about how to live with the knowledge that, well, everything happens.
  See All Episodes
  Suleika Jaouad
  Survival Is a Creative Act
  Listen Now Survival Is a Creative Act
  Erin & Ben Napier
  Everyone’s From Somewhere
  Listen Now Everyone’s From Somewhere
  Stacey Heale
  The Aftermath of the Aftermath
  Listen Now The Aftermath of the Aftermath
  Kimberly Williams-Paisley
  Where The Light (Still) Gets In
  Listen Now Where The Light (Still) Gets In
BOOKS
- Books
  Let’s untangle our culture’s obsession with toxic positivity and self-help, shall we? Kate studies the cultural stories we tell ourselves about success, suffering, and whether (or not) we’re capable of change. She is the author of seven books including three instant New York Times bestsellers.
  All Books
  Everything Happens for a Reason
  (And Other Lies I’ve Loved)
  Have a Beautiful Terrible Day!
  Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs & In-Betweens
  No Cure for Being Human
  (And Other Truths I Need to Hear)
RESOURCES
- Resources
  Our goal with Everything Happens is to create rich language and vibrant community that sustains us when life comes apart. Below, you’ll find categories that may be good starting points for you. Inside are a mix of podcasts, blessings, support guides, and bonus resources that we hope will be useful.
  ALL RESOURCES
  Types
  BLESSINGS
  DEVOTIONALS
  SUPPORT GUIDES
  COURSES
  FREE DOWNLOADS
  Discussion Guides
  FOR MINISTRY
  Topics
  ILLNESS
  GRIEF
  WHAT NOT TO SAY
  RESILIENT FAITH
  INSPIRING LIVES
  NUANCED HOPE
  CARING AT HOME
  CARING AT WORK
  COMPLICATED FAMILIES
  MOVING FORWARD

diagnosis

An Open Letter to You on the Worst Day of Your Life

An Open Letter to You on the Worst Day of Your Life

Bykatebowler September 18, 2017August 17, 2023

What to say to someone whose life has just turned upside-down.

Read More An Open Letter to You on the Worst Day of Your Life

Every week I usually forget most of the basics:
a) you are loved. b) life is absurd. c) it’s hard to be a human.

If you want some smart, kind, and funny encouragement to get you through your week, sign up for my newsletter. I’d love to be your reminder.

Name

First Last

Email(Required)

Follow along on socials

@katecbowler

TGI(almost)F AM I RIGHT?!

Which medium sad gnome are you?

2591 63

Open post by katecbowler with ID 18052817366105247

TGI(almost)F AM I RIGHT?!Which medium sad gnome are you?

It’s just June.

I may or may not have responded to a work email with “Love you!”

You’re doing great. ✨

Drop an emoji for how your brain feels right now. Please and thank you.

920 116

Open post by katecbowler with ID 17976864470852732

It’s just June.I may or may not have responded to a work email with “Love you!”You’re doing great. ✨Drop an emoji for how your brain feels right now. Please and thank you.

The world feels shaky, like it might tip over. But here are some recent saves full of reminders to be brave, create (literally anything), and take small stabs at hope—because even now, fear and creativity can ride tandem, and trying still counts.

1. @prest.works/@jonacuff
2. @iuliastration
3. @lobsterandpearls/@backtomotherpearl
4. @poetryrise
5. @tinypricksproject and @kellycorrigan
6. @mytherapistsays

4775 39

Open post by katecbowler with ID 18069945992001392

The world feels shaky, like it might tip over. But here are some recent saves full of reminders to be brave, create (literally anything), and take small stabs at hope—because even now, fear and creativity can ride tandem, and trying still counts.1. @prest.works/@jonacuff
2. @iuliastration
3. @lobsterandpearls/@backtomotherpearl
4. @poetryrise
5. @tinypricksproject and @kellycorrigan
6. @mytherapistsays

If you do only one thing today, dig the hole.

(Metaphorically speaking, of course…unless diminishing your property value is what makes you happy.)

3208 117

Open post by katecbowler with ID 18031494593460921

If you do only one thing today, dig the hole.(Metaphorically speaking, of course…unless diminishing your property value is what makes you happy.)

In a world where Everything Happens...

Blessed are you who make things: the doodlers, the thinkers, the “I-have-an-idea-at-2am” scribblers. The ones who bring beauty and chaos and weirdly specific playlists into the world.

May you have the courage to keep creating even when the algorithm ignores you, your inner critic is loud, and your desire to quit feels stronger than your desire to make.

4908 114

Open post by katecbowler with ID 18060691292228906

In a world where Everything Happens...Blessed are you who make things: the doodlers, the thinkers, the “I-have-an-idea-at-2am” scribblers. The ones who bring beauty and chaos and weirdly specific playlists into the world.May you have the courage to keep creating even when the algorithm ignores you, your inner critic is loud, and your desire to quit feels stronger than your desire to make.

It`s been a heavy week, and part of this work is constantly holding tension between what is beautiful and terrible.

This carousel is for those who want to understand how harmful ideologies take root, not to despair, but to become people who live differently.

Who nurture what is good.
Who protect what is sacred.
Who love their neighbors on purpose.

Because when the world feels tilted towards control, educating ourselves allows us to be more compassionate in a world that so desperately needs it.

4200 77

Open post by katecbowler with ID 17866412055406148

It's been a heavy week, and part of this work is constantly holding tension between what is beautiful and terrible.This carousel is for those who want to understand how harmful ideologies take root, not to despair, but to become people who live differently.Who nurture what is good.
Who protect what is sacred.
Who love their neighbors on purpose.Because when the world feels tilted towards control, educating ourselves allows us to be more compassionate in a world that so desperately needs it.

I said what I said about iced coffee. ☕️🧊

420 14

Open post by katecbowler with ID 18073081330765282

I said what I said about iced coffee. ☕️🧊

Ok, I completely recognize that not all love stories (ok most) are like Edward and Bella BUT I have to know, do you believe in soulmates???

636 31

Open post by katecbowler with ID 17877034890246068

Ok, I completely recognize that not all love stories (ok most) are like Edward and Bella BUT I have to know, do you believe in soulmates???

If you are reading this you have great eyesight. But also, thanks for being a person with me. The world is strange and hard for soft-hearted humans, but I think you’re a delight.

© 2025
Development by Penner Web Design

About
Resources
Contact
Podcasts
Books
Mural
Upcoming Events
Newsletter
Blessings

Everything Happens.

Browse by topic

Complicated Families

grief

resilient faith

what not to say

moving forward

Illness

nuanced hope

caring at home

inspiring lives

caring at work

Make your inbox a little more human.

Sign up below to receive a weekly email from Kate Bowler every Wednesday.

Name

First Last

Email(Required)

ABOUT
- Meet Kate
  Hi, I’m Kate. I’m a Duke professor, podcaster, and author with a single mission: giving you permission to feel human. After years of being told I was incurable, I was declared cancer-free. But there’s no going back. I am forever changed by what I discovered: life is so beautiful and life is so hard. For everyone.
  ABOUT KATE
  Get to Know Me
  HUMAN
  AUTHOR
  PODCAST HOST
  SPEAKER
  How to Connect
  NEWSLETTER
  BOOKING
  EVENTS
  CONTACT
  PRESS
PODCAST
- Everything Happens.
  Are you living your best life now? Not always? This is a podcast for you. Duke Professor Kate Bowler is an expert in the stories we tell about success and failure, suffering and happiness. She had Stage IV cancer. Then she didn’t. And since then, all she wants to do is talk to funny and wise people about how to live with the knowledge that, well, everything happens.
  See All Episodes
  Suleika Jaouad
  Survival Is a Creative Act
  Listen Now Survival Is a Creative Act
  Erin & Ben Napier
  Everyone’s From Somewhere
  Listen Now Everyone’s From Somewhere
  Stacey Heale
  The Aftermath of the Aftermath
  Listen Now The Aftermath of the Aftermath
  Kimberly Williams-Paisley
  Where The Light (Still) Gets In
  Listen Now Where The Light (Still) Gets In
BOOKS
- Books
  Let’s untangle our culture’s obsession with toxic positivity and self-help, shall we? Kate studies the cultural stories we tell ourselves about success, suffering, and whether (or not) we’re capable of change. She is the author of seven books including three instant New York Times bestsellers.
  All Books
  Everything Happens for a Reason
  (And Other Lies I’ve Loved)
  Have a Beautiful Terrible Day!
  Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs & In-Betweens
  No Cure for Being Human
  (And Other Truths I Need to Hear)
RESOURCES
- Resources
  Our goal with Everything Happens is to create rich language and vibrant community that sustains us when life comes apart. Below, you’ll find categories that may be good starting points for you. Inside are a mix of podcasts, blessings, support guides, and bonus resources that we hope will be useful.
  ALL RESOURCES
  Types
  BLESSINGS
  DEVOTIONALS
  SUPPORT GUIDES
  COURSES
  FREE DOWNLOADS
  Discussion Guides
  FOR MINISTRY
  Topics
  ILLNESS
  GRIEF
  WHAT NOT TO SAY
  RESILIENT FAITH
  INSPIRING LIVES
  NUANCED HOPE
  CARING AT HOME
  CARING AT WORK
  COMPLICATED FAMILIES
  MOVING FORWARD