Survival Guide
⬢ ⬢ ⬢
Crisis & Rebuilding
James Hamell
A self-guided resilience resource for periods of breakdown, overwhelm, or collapse — when structure matters more than motivation.
A self-guided resource designed for people experiencing breakdown, overwhelm, emotional collapse, or early recovery
Not a programme or course — intended to be used flexibly, returning to individual sections as needed
Focused on stabilisation — grounding, basic structure, and small repeatable actions
A standalone tool that can be used independently, without engaging in coaching or further services
Built on lived experience and the FORGE pillars — practical tools for survival mode
The Resilience Field Manual does not provide therapy or clinical treatment and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. It focuses on self-reflection, personal responsibility, and simple stabilising practices to help you regain a sense of control and direction.
"For moments when thinking harder doesn't help"
People recovering from emotional collapse, crisis, or burnout
Anyone who needs stability and clear structure
Men and women rebuilding identity and confidence
Therapists and clinicians who want actionable tools
People who want a step-by-step resilience toolkit
Those who need low-bar, high-impact actions
This section is for moments when life has broken down and nothing feels stable yet. It focuses on naming what happened, reducing overwhelm, and staying present without rushing to fix or reframe. The aim is survival, not insight — creating enough steadiness to remain here and continue.
This section introduces the FORGE framework as a practical structure for rebuilding after collapse. It focuses on stabilising daily life, reclaiming personal responsibility, staying present under pressure, reconnecting to meaning, and taking small actions even when motivation is low. The method is cyclical and repeatable, designed to support rebuilding without intensity or pressure.
Use when things start to slip
These are standalone tools for moments when structure is fading, motivation is low, or your head feels noisy. You don't use them in order. You use what fits today.
Action Audit
See where your energy actually went.
Daily Battle Plan
Define a minimum effective day.
The One-Action Reset
Break paralysis by completing one small action.
The Done List
Evidence that you showed up.
Habit Design
Make habits easier to start and easier to repeat.
Define a Win
Decide what "enough" looks like before the day runs away.
Each tool can be used on its own. No momentum required.
The Resilience Field Manual is currently in development.
Important: The Resilience Field Manual is an educational, self-guided resource. It does not provide therapy or clinical treatment and should be used alongside appropriate professional support where needed.
Built from breakdown and rebuilding — not theory
Use individual sections as needed, not linear reading
Designed for moments of low motivation or capacity
Emphasises grounding and basic structure over transformation
Can be used independently of coaching or other services
Complements therapy or other professional support
Simple tools for survival and stability
Examples of the kinds of tools included in the manual
These are representative tools from the manual. They are shown here as examples of structure and tone, not as full exercises.
WHEN TO USE:
When you feel busy but unproductive
A short, honest review of where your time and energy actually went — without judgement.
WHEN TO USE:
When the day feels heavy or chaotic
A one-day plan that focuses on what actually matters, not everything you could do.
WHEN TO USE:
When you feel stuck or frozen
A way to interrupt overthinking by completing one small, finishable action.
WHEN TO USE:
When nothing feels like enough
A tool to set realistic standards so effort has a clear finish line.
The full manual will be available once development is complete.
James Hamell
Resilience coach and author who rebuilt his life from complete collapse.
James experienced severe mental illness and hospitalisation. His recovery was slow, structured, and built through discipline, small daily actions, and the tools he now shares with others.
He works with individuals, clinicians, and organizations through 1:1 coaching, workshops, and the FORGE Method — a 5-pillar framework for rebuilding stability, confidence, and purpose.
His mission: help people rebuild with structure and meaning when motivation is gone.
The Resilience Field Manual is a self-guided resilience resource being developed for people experiencing breakdown, overwhelm, or early recovery. It will be made available once complete.
Paperback
In Development
Kindle
In Development
Audiobook
In Development