As conversations around wellness, burnout, and intentional living continue to reshape how people define success and self-care, a Jersey City–based author is emerging as one of the most influential voices in that national dialogue. Lisa Hurley’s Space To Exhale: A Handbook for Curating a Soft, Centered, Serene Life has quickly become one of 2025’s most celebrated wellness titles, earning a wave of national and international book awards within months of its release.
Published by Wiley in June, Space To Exhale has resonated with readers seeking a gentler, more intentional way of living in an increasingly demanding world. The book blends personal reflection, cultural insight, and practical guidance into what Hurley describes as both a handbook and a love letter to those who are exhausted, overextended, and ready to reclaim rest. While the book speaks to a broad audience, it places particular emphasis on the lived experiences of Black women, a perspective that has drawn widespread praise for its authenticity and cultural relevance.
New Jersey has played a central role in the book’s journey. Hurley currently resides in Jersey City, and much of the national media attention surrounding the book’s award wins has been announced from her home base in Hudson County. The project’s in-person launch celebration took place on June 21, 2025, at the pocstock headquarters in Newark, bringing together community leaders, wellness advocates, creatives, and readers for an evening that underscored the book’s community-centered mission.
At the heart of Hurley’s work is a call to slow down, breathe, and redefine productivity in a culture that often equates worth with constant output. Space To Exhale encourages readers to build rituals of rest, establish emotional boundaries, and cultivate environments that promote peace and balance. The tone is warm, affirming, and deeply reflective, offering readers both philosophical grounding and actionable tools to support daily life.
Hurley is also the founder of The Great Exhale, a virtual wellness community that extends the book’s message beyond the page. Through digital gatherings, guided discussions, and shared storytelling, the platform fosters collective healing and connection, further strengthening the impact of the ideas explored in her writing.
The rapid accumulation of literary and social-impact awards has cemented Space To Exhale as more than a seasonal release. It is increasingly viewed as a defining wellness title of the year, one that speaks to cultural shifts around mental health, rest, and self-preservation. Its success has brought added attention to New Jersey’s growing role as a hub for creative, socially conscious voices shaping national conversations.
Readers interested in discovering more notable wellness and cultural titles can explore additional recommended reads in Explore New Jersey’s curated books section, where emerging authors and celebrated works alike are highlighted for Garden State audiences.
With its roots firmly planted in Jersey City and its message resonating far beyond state lines, Space To Exhale stands as both a personal triumph for Hurley and a meaningful contribution to the broader wellness movement. In a year defined by reflection and recalibration, her work offers a timely reminder that making space to breathe is not a luxury, but a necessity.
