Jean Manthei releases Nothing to Do on finding meaning after grief

Colorado Springs counselor Jean Manthei has released Nothing to Do, a new book that ties grief, spirituality and purpose to rediscovering excitement for life. The book became available Sept. 22 on Amazon in Kindle, hardcover and paperback.

Why it matters: - Jean Manthei’s new book aims at a common mental and emotional problem: feeling stuck after grief, disappointment or life disruptions. - The book frames purpose as something people can regain by changing how they think, connect spiritually and serve others. - Manthei’s personal story gives the book added credibility for readers looking for a practical and spiritual lens on recovery.

What happened: - Jean Manthei, a Colorado Springs counselor and author, released Nothing to Do on Sept. 22, 2026. - The book is available on Amazon in Kindle, hardcover and paperback. - The cover image came from a ski trip to Keystone, where Manthei once took a photo during a blizzard and later used that image after thinking, "Nothing to do, except get through this."

The details: - Nothing to Do focuses on getting back excitement for life after grief or thought patterns block momentum. - Manthei writes about thinking errors and the fallacy of fairness as mental habits that can trap people in anger and hurt. - The book argues that letting go of those patterns can help people move into the next idea, activity or conversation. - Manthei also explores spirituality, saying people need to address heart energy, spirit and their relationship with God before meaning and energy return. - The book links purpose to service, with Manthei arguing that being useful to others is where meaning is found. - Manthei also examines how people use time and what they choose to do with it. - The book is personal, with Manthei writing about grief over earlier books that did not perform as well as hoped. - Manthei says she replaced that grief with gratitude and creativity. - Manthei said, "I had plenty to do and think about, but the excitement wasn't there," and added that connecting the work to spirituality and a higher power brought the meaning and excitement back. - Manthei said, "We all go through blizzards in life. Sometimes all you can do is get through it. But on the other side there is meaning, and a reason to be excited again."

Between the lines: - The book blends self-help, counseling and faith-based ideas, signaling an audience that may want both practical tools and spiritual framing. - Manthei’s use of a personal setback, including disappointment over previous books, suggests the message is built around lived experience rather than theory alone. - Her focus on photo therapy also fits the book’s emphasis on images, storytelling and belief change. - Manthei says she has clients use photo books to tell their stories and surface beliefs about addictions, lifestyles and choices. - She has practiced therapy since 1993 and uses cognitive behavioral skills in her work. - Manthei says mental health professionals need to do their own emotional work to better serve clients. - She earned a Master’s degree in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 1993 after overcoming illness and misfortunes that had interrupted her education.

What's next: - Manthei is promoting the book through Amazon and her website, More information. - Readers can buy Nothing to Do on Amazon in Kindle, hardcover and paperback through the book listing. - Manthei’s existing catalog includes On Gratitude, Photography and Schizophrenia, and Psychological and Emotional Currency.

The bottom line: - Nothing to Do is a reflective, faith-tinged book about moving through grief and finding purpose again by changing how people think, serve and connect to meaning.