Western Mass. Author Unveils ‘Calming the Chaos’ at Cover Reveal

SOUTH HADLEY — Western Mass. author, speaker, and holistic practitioner Mary-Anne Schelb unveiled the cover of her forthcoming book, Calming the Chaos: The Intentional Calm Method, during a community gathering on July 21 at the Boathouse in South Hadley.

Friends, professional colleagues, community members, and supporters gathered for an evening centered on connection, reflection, and a timely conversation about what it means to create calm in the middle of demanding lives.

Schelb created the Intentional Calm Method for people who are stretched too thin, carrying too much, or trying to make important decisions while operating from stress and overwhelm. The method guides readers through five areas — state, story, strategy, systems, and spirit — to help them regulate first, understand what is driving their reactions, and take intentional steps forward.

“We are living in a time when many people feel overwhelmed, divided, exhausted, or responsible for holding everything together,” Schelb said. “I wrote this book because calm is not simply something we experience when life finally becomes easy. It is something we can learn to create, even while life is still complicated.”

During the cover reveal, Schelb shared the story behind the book and led attendees through interactive exercises designed to demonstrate how small, intentional shifts can interrupt the overwhelm cycle and create greater clarity. The book speaks to people navigating professional responsibilities, family demands, caregiving, major transitions, and the ongoing pressure to keep functioning while appearing as though everything is fine.

“This is not a book about escaping real life or pretending difficult things are not happening,” Schelb said. “It is about learning how to meet those moments from a steadier place — because calm changes what becomes possible next.”

Calming the Chaos: The Intentional Calm Method is forthcoming from Balboa Press. Additional publication and availability details will be announced as the book moves through production.