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jmcrobbie's review against another edition
3.0
I have very mixed feelings about this. There is a LOT of fat phobia and diet culture littered throughout this book. Strays worryingly into zones I would consider disordered eating…
Also the author and I experience the same mental illness in ways that are in such complete opposition that it’s almost comical.
That said, I did glean a lot of interesting information from this book. Reassuring of framing things that are a constant struggle, acknowledgement of things I thought only I had issues with, and some helpful practices to add to my roster of coping mechanisms.
More than one thing can be true at once
Also the author and I experience the same mental illness in ways that are in such complete opposition that it’s almost comical.
That said, I did glean a lot of interesting information from this book. Reassuring of framing things that are a constant struggle, acknowledgement of things I thought only I had issues with, and some helpful practices to add to my roster of coping mechanisms.
More than one thing can be true at once
mriceguy's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent thought provoking take on how to deal with anxiety and lots of useful tips and tricks.
frodomom214's review against another edition
3.0
A generous 3. More like a 2.5.
This is some kind of memoir-self help mashup. Which would have been fine if it's just been a little more....put together. You know, how an anxious person would want it.
Towards the last third of the book, I became annoyed. Sit in your anxiety. Go with the flow. Life works itself out.
Um, not so much. Especially not for folks lacking resources and privilege. Sometimes rather than finding yourself, one does just need to take the meds.
This is some kind of memoir-self help mashup. Which would have been fine if it's just been a little more....put together. You know, how an anxious person would want it.
Towards the last third of the book, I became annoyed. Sit in your anxiety. Go with the flow. Life works itself out.
Um, not so much. Especially not for folks lacking resources and privilege. Sometimes rather than finding yourself, one does just need to take the meds.
bibliophile1085's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
beths0103's review against another edition
5.0
Just what the book QUIET by Susan Cain did for introverts, FIRST, WE MAKE THE BEAST BEAUTIFUL does for anxiety. Sarah Wilson not only gives you ways to cope, but gives you ways to embrace your anxiety other than just trying to medicate it away.
alexandradk3's review against another edition
5.0
While reading this book, I heard several opinions of it, some negative. This is not a how to book and for me that is why I loved it. It felt like a conversation with a friend that has done a lot of research on the subject of anxiety AND that is also sharing her personal
experience with it. I thought it was excellent.
experience with it. I thought it was excellent.
librariandest's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure what I expected when I randomly searched "anxiety" in Libby and checked out the first book that was available that looked interesting. I'd been feeling more and more anxious and wanted to read about anxiety.
This turned out to be a great read for me. I wasn't looking for medical advice or self-help. I was looking for a philosophical/personal exploration of anxiety -- and that's just what Sarah Wilson provides. This book is really more of a memoir, not science or medical advice.
The main takeaway of this book for me was to frame anxiety as existential. In other words, at the bottom of all my small worries are big worries -- meaning of life kinda stuff. It helps to think of my anxiety as a symptom of caring. In that sense, I don't have to resist it, I can sit in it. Like one of those finger traps you can only get out of when you stop trying to get out of it.
I also liked how Wilson calls not-anxious people "life naturals." Does being alive come naturally to you? Then you might be a Life Natural.
Wilson made me want to read Montaigne, so now I have [b:How to Live: A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at An Answer|7624457|How to Live A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at An Answer|Sarah Bakewell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320521919l/7624457._SX50_.jpg|10108715] checked out.
This turned out to be a great read for me. I wasn't looking for medical advice or self-help. I was looking for a philosophical/personal exploration of anxiety -- and that's just what Sarah Wilson provides. This book is really more of a memoir, not science or medical advice.
The main takeaway of this book for me was to frame anxiety as existential. In other words, at the bottom of all my small worries are big worries -- meaning of life kinda stuff. It helps to think of my anxiety as a symptom of caring. In that sense, I don't have to resist it, I can sit in it. Like one of those finger traps you can only get out of when you stop trying to get out of it.
I also liked how Wilson calls not-anxious people "life naturals." Does being alive come naturally to you? Then you might be a Life Natural.
Wilson made me want to read Montaigne, so now I have [b:How to Live: A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at An Answer|7624457|How to Live A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at An Answer|Sarah Bakewell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320521919l/7624457._SX50_.jpg|10108715] checked out.
marden's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes a self-help book. Other times a memoir. And throughout, a numbered list of thoughts, facts, and suggestions. This book is for those who struggle with anxiety, and for those who are yet to struggle with it. Although I couldn’t relate to every single point Sarah Wilson writes about, I found this book very special and sincere.
astridquesther's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0