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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
The premise is a little confused. Part memoir, part anxiety informational. There are lots of good nuggets, but lots of questionable ones as well. It will appeal to highly sensitive people who have lived with anxiety a long time, but may be confusing for those trying to make their way with a new condition. As someone who has done much reading about anxiety and burnout, I appreciated the mention of decision fatigue and the holistic approach to wellness.
I really got a lot out of this book, it was comforting to read a 'self help' style book from someone who very much doesn't have it all figured out. She lives with the difficulty and finds ways to cope, I respect the openness and the guidance from that point of view. Is the beast beautiful after reading? In some ways yes. Tying aspects of personality to anxiety helped me see it in a new light, qualities of my personality I can now see are rooted in anxiety, ways humanity has benefited from anxious humans. It is a new way to look at it and what more can you ask for from a book than opening your mind to a new perspective.
It's cookie cutter but knows it's cookie cutter and that actually makes it better, along with it being more biography mixed with anthology of interviews.
The style of writing made this a hard one to get through. Became difficult to tell if the author was writing a memoir or a self-help book and at times left be viewing her as a privileged/haughty woman.
That being said, there were a few things I took away from it and things I recognized within my own self for “anxiety is my superpower”.
“We automatically think if there are lots of options presented that a choice must really matter, even if it doesn’t.” Referencing why banal decisions can stall the anxious.
“There is never a perfect decision. They become perfect when we make them.”
“Anxiety is like having new tabs open very quickly [on your computer] one after another and not being able to close them or start new ones from beginning — but in your head.”
That being said, there were a few things I took away from it and things I recognized within my own self for “anxiety is my superpower”.
“We automatically think if there are lots of options presented that a choice must really matter, even if it doesn’t.” Referencing why banal decisions can stall the anxious.
“There is never a perfect decision. They become perfect when we make them.”
“Anxiety is like having new tabs open very quickly [on your computer] one after another and not being able to close them or start new ones from beginning — but in your head.”
Amazing. It's not often that I write in my books but this one spoke to my heart. Anxiety is hard to explain to people don't understand--like telling me "it'll be fine" doesn't help--and this book made me feel like someone was listening.
I want to carry this book with me everywhere I go. Sarah actually gets it, and I’m so grateful for this book.
As a memoir, it’s great and a beautiful reflection on her own journey with anxiety. But the advice she offers comes from a place of the kind of privilege that few have access to, and paired with some sweeping generalizations, I found it altogether unhelpful. Basically another version of Eat, Pray, Love.
A beautifully written, honest and raw book that does what it says on the cover.
Well, I don’t know if I now see my beast as beautiful. But I feel I can now appreciate my anxiety for what it is. I can appreciate it from the evolutionary perspective that would have seen it keep my tribe safe, from a modern perspective that sees it push me to try my best, and also from the perspective that sometimes it needs kept in check.
With lots of hints, tips, insights and actionable advice on how small changes in everyday life can go a long way to managing our anxiety, the book varies from somewhat woo-woo to completely scientific - there’s a point of view that everyone can get behind.
Peppered equally between practical insights and the author’s own story, I feel she ripped own her own chest and allowed us to look into her soul. Her story is heart wrenching but hopeful and I’m humbly appreciative to the author for sharing her story.
I did find the book a little slow in the middle and put it down for extended periods but I always came back to it. It doesn’t follow a very linear storyline so would be good for readers who want to flick through or pick and choose chapters that catch their eye.
I did struggle at the beginning to identify with the author as she is like many anxiety sufferers in that she had a rough start to life followed by a very successful and manic adult life. That’s not me so it brings me right around to the anxiety inducing question ‘Do I actually have anxiety or am I just weak?’. I’d like to read a book by an average person who suffers from anxiety or depression so throw your suggestions in the comments if you have them!
Overall certainly worth a read for those with anxiety and also those without, who would like an insight into leading a more relaxed, grateful life.
Well, I don’t know if I now see my beast as beautiful. But I feel I can now appreciate my anxiety for what it is. I can appreciate it from the evolutionary perspective that would have seen it keep my tribe safe, from a modern perspective that sees it push me to try my best, and also from the perspective that sometimes it needs kept in check.
With lots of hints, tips, insights and actionable advice on how small changes in everyday life can go a long way to managing our anxiety, the book varies from somewhat woo-woo to completely scientific - there’s a point of view that everyone can get behind.
Peppered equally between practical insights and the author’s own story, I feel she ripped own her own chest and allowed us to look into her soul. Her story is heart wrenching but hopeful and I’m humbly appreciative to the author for sharing her story.
I did find the book a little slow in the middle and put it down for extended periods but I always came back to it. It doesn’t follow a very linear storyline so would be good for readers who want to flick through or pick and choose chapters that catch their eye.
I did struggle at the beginning to identify with the author as she is like many anxiety sufferers in that she had a rough start to life followed by a very successful and manic adult life. That’s not me so it brings me right around to the anxiety inducing question ‘Do I actually have anxiety or am I just weak?’. I’d like to read a book by an average person who suffers from anxiety or depression so throw your suggestions in the comments if you have them!
Overall certainly worth a read for those with anxiety and also those without, who would like an insight into leading a more relaxed, grateful life.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
slow-paced