Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. Hello! Iโm Sarah Pachter, an author and speaker passionate about helping people create meaningful, joyful lives. My work focuses on how we can experience deeper fulfillment, find balance, and live authentically. Through my writing and speaking, I aim to guide individuals toward self-awareness, self-compassion, and the understanding that joy is something we can cultivate, not just something that happens by chance. I provide practical tools to help you live your best life!
I live in Los Angeles with my wonderful husband and five amazing kids. I also speak to audiences around the world, sharing my insights and experiences.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book Is It Ever Enough: A Journey Toward Joyful Living?
A2. One of the biggest challenges I faced while writing this book was finding a balance between my writing time and caring for my family. I did most of the editing during COVID, when my kids were home due to school closures, and I was dealing with pregnancy-related nausea. Despite the chaos, the beautiful outcome was the birth of our daughter, Tiffy, and the completion of my book! But it wasnโt easy.
The most significant challenge, however, was facing myself and confronting my own beliefs about success and fulfillment. It took vulnerability to open up about my personal struggles, experiences, and insights. I had to stay true to the core message of the bookโthat joy is found in the present moment and isnโt reliant on external circumstances. Writing about something so personal yet universal was both intimidating and transformative.
To overcome this, I centered each section of the book around the word โenough.โ Each chapter begins with that word: “Enough. I am enough. I have enough,โ and so on. It became a powerful anchor for my message.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. Iโve been deeply influenced by authors like Brenรฉ Brown, whose work on vulnerability and courage shaped my understanding of living authentically. Mel Robbins has inspired me with her words on motivation, and Esther Perelโs teachings on relationships have had a lasting impact as well. However, the greatest influence on my writing comes from ancient Jewish wisdom. Authors like Hanoch Teller, Lawrence Kelemen, and Tziporah Heller-Gottlieb were my teachers, and their books and teachings helped me find clarity on how to share my message in a way that resonates deeply with readers.
Q4. Whatโs your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. I know this might sound cheesy, literally mozzarella, but one of my favorite places to “visit” is anywhere, as long as I’m with my family. When we’re all together, it doesnโt really matter where we are. We could be biking along the beach, hiking in Hawaii, or just cozied up on the couch in our living room while itโs raining outside. It doesn’t mean we’re perfect or that we never fight or bicker, but family truly is everything.
I have a quote hanging in my office that says, “With you, I am home.” This lesson really hit home, especially after the fires broke out here in California, just a few miles away from us. People we know lost everything, but they still had each other. Thereโs nothing more comforting than a hug from any of my family members.
The first thing I do every morning is give each family member a hug. I learned this from my husband’s aunt, who made this suggestion. She had recently been diagnosed with cancer and passed away just a few days later. Her lesson has stayed with me, and itโs something I will carry with me forever.
Q5. What inspired you to write Is It Ever Enough: A Journey Toward Joyful Living?
A5. The inspiration for Is It Ever Enough came from my own journey of self-discovery. I had reached a point where I felt disconnected from my true self, constantly striving for โmoreโ without ever feeling fulfilled. I realized I wasnโt alone in thisโmany others were on the same path. I wanted to write a book that would help people step off the treadmill of perfectionism and find a life rooted in meaning and joy. It was my way of offering a roadmap to others seeking peace.
Q6. How long did it take you to write Is It Ever Enough: A Journey Toward Joyful Living?
A6. Writing Is It Ever Enough took about five years. I started it before my first book, Small Choices, Big Changes, was about to be published. The process wasnโt just about writingโit was about reflecting on my own life, discovering deeper layers of meaning, and figuring out how to present those insights in a way that would resonate with readers. It was both a personal and professional journey, and Iโm grateful for the time I spent on it.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. Readers can purchase Is It Ever Enough on a variety of platforms, including Amazon and through my own website.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title Is It Ever Enough: A Journey Toward Joyful Living.
A8. The title Is It Ever Enough came from my own reflections on how often we chase something outside ourselvesโsuccess, approval, validationโand yet, when we reach for โmore,โ we often end up feeling empty. The title reflects that internal struggle.
As for the cover, thereโs an amusing story behind it. The publisher initially suggested a cover with cookies and milk as the imagery, which felt completely off-brand for the message I wanted to convey. I politely asked if we could create something more symbolic, something that invoked meaning without relying on imagery. I envisioned a design that was simple yet powerful, and I felt the gold lettering evoked a sense of balance and calmโperfectly representing the journey toward joyful living.
Q9. When writing a book, how do you keep things fresh for both your readers and yourself?
A9. I focus on writing from a place of authenticity. When I feel disconnected from my own emotions or experiences, itโs harder to keep the writing fresh. I also engage with my readers through feedback and conversations, which helps me understand what resonates with them. Iโm always researching and incorporating new insights from science and psychology to keep the material relevant. Being open-minded and willing to evolve with my readers is what keeps my work exciting and meaningful.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice youโve been given about writing?
A10. I never saw myself as a writerโmy natural talent lies in speaking. But as my family grew, I started declining speaking engagements and shifted my focus to writing. I quickly realized that writing and speaking are two different skill sets, and I had a steep learning curve ahead of me.
Some quick tips Iโve learned: write concisely, stick to the word count, avoid repetition, and always write in the active voice.
What I love about writing is that you can do it anywhere: at home, on vacation, or even in your PJs. But the best advice Iโve received is to โwrite from your heart, not your head.โ Itโs about sharing what truly matters to you, even if it feels uncomfortable or imperfect. Writing with authenticity creates a deep connection with readers. Donโt worry about crafting the perfect sentenceโjust get your thoughts down, and the magic happens in the editing process.
Buy Is It Ever Enough? on Amazon
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