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bessadams's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility and Pregnancy
Minor: Excrement
frau_von_trapp's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
jessmaeshelley's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Helen Russell's book on living Danishly! So as soon as I saw Leap Year in my local library, I grabbed it like Golem and devoured it. It was an entertaining and super interesting/insightful read. I loved learning about the idea of Kaizen (essentially the philosophy that small changes lead to big changes) and the different layers of our brain (how the flight or fight response, located in the midbrain, can shut down the other parts of our brain (reptilian/cortex) and this causes our amygdala to flare up with fear. Especially prominent when making changes and doing something outside of our comfort zone. As Russell puts it 'you can't look at cute cat videos, when your body thinks it's being chased by a sabre-tooth tiger.' And I think that's a pretty accurate way to describe anxiety.
By becoming more aware of how our brain and body works, I was able to create a sort of healthy distance between myself and my diagnosed anxiety. It gave me a new perspective on how to view it. That in times of change, stress, and unknowing, it was just my old ancestral instincts kicking in, completely unaware of our modern day generation and situations. (And still trying to catch up!) My body was just, in essence, trying to protect itself. In that thought, I feel a little more soothed.
Yet again, Russell's research and experimentation have opened my eyes, to new ideas and concepts that I cannot wait to try and implement into my own life!
By becoming more aware of how our brain and body works, I was able to create a sort of healthy distance between myself and my diagnosed anxiety. It gave me a new perspective on how to view it. That in times of change, stress, and unknowing, it was just my old ancestral instincts kicking in, completely unaware of our modern day generation and situations. (And still trying to catch up!) My body was just, in essence, trying to protect itself. In that thought, I feel a little more soothed.
Yet again, Russell's research and experimentation have opened my eyes, to new ideas and concepts that I cannot wait to try and implement into my own life!
kaydee's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed The Year of Living Danishly and this follow up (of sorts) is more of Russell's engaging wry style as she investigates all manner of change. From career to relationships to health to finance to home to the mind, this is self improvement taken to the next level.
As in her previous book Russell seeks out expert opinion (and there's an expert for absolutely everything) and I have to say I did find this a little tiresome by the end but I enjoyed how she adapted and adopted these bits of advice into her own life (and the lives of her family and friends).
Lots of food for thought here (and I'm very appreciative of the introduction to Justin Trudeau's baby balancing trick!) and I'll certainly be revisiting and trying out some of Russell's suggestions in my own life. A perfect new year read.
As in her previous book Russell seeks out expert opinion (and there's an expert for absolutely everything) and I have to say I did find this a little tiresome by the end but I enjoyed how she adapted and adopted these bits of advice into her own life (and the lives of her family and friends).
Lots of food for thought here (and I'm very appreciative of the introduction to Justin Trudeau's baby balancing trick!) and I'll certainly be revisiting and trying out some of Russell's suggestions in my own life. A perfect new year read.
alyce6d980's review
5.0
This was EXACTLY what I needed. I've had a few big changes in my life recently, and when I think back I can feel my hands starting to shake and my heart starting to pound as I wonder if I've made mistakes.
This book is more than a self-help book, because instead of giving you specific steps to take or routines to follow, Helen tries lots of different things to tackle a range of issues, meaning you can pick and choose which pieces will personally help you.
She's also absolutely hilarious: it's been a while since a book has made me laugh out loud as frequently as Leap Year!
This book is more than a self-help book, because instead of giving you specific steps to take or routines to follow, Helen tries lots of different things to tackle a range of issues, meaning you can pick and choose which pieces will personally help you.
She's also absolutely hilarious: it's been a while since a book has made me laugh out loud as frequently as Leap Year!
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