Scan barcode
chamomiledaydreams's review against another edition
3.0
I was initially drawn in by the cover of this book. Then, when I realized it was about anxiety, I thought, "Perhaps I should see what this is all about!"
I listened to the audiobook, which was nice; the only bit that confused me was when I misheard the word "artistic" as "autistic," and even then, I was like, "Yes, it makes sense to me that anxiety is integral to the autistic experience. But would the author say this? It's coming out of left-field right now. She's never mentioned autism before!"
Speaking of the intersection between autism and anxiety, I thought it was fascinating to hear so much about another person's experience with an anxiety disorder. Half of the time, I couldn't relate to Sarah Wilson's experiences (specifically her more extroverted and "daring" qualities); the other half of the time, her stories were all too familiar (specifically her tales about decision paralysis and the anxiety feedback loop of being anxious about being anxious and worsening your physical symptoms because of it).
There were some moments where I felt like something else was at play, maybe not for Wilson specifically, but for other folks with anxiety. Noise sensitivity, for example, is common among anxious folks, but it can also stem from autism and misophonia, in which case I wouldn't recommend "just dealing with it," because "wherever you go, you bring yourself." I would say, "Get the accommodations you need, and don't subject yourself to unnecessary pain!"
Some of my favorite bits of advice for dealing with anxiety include:
1) telling yourself that your anxiety symptoms can be attributed to excitement or other positive emotions instead. For example, if you're scared about a job interview, reframe it as, "I am excited to have this opportunity. I am looking forward to getting this job." It may be gaslighting, but hey, if it works, it works.
2) striving for wholeness rather than happiness. "Happiness" is elusive, and it can be stressful to think that you're not as happy as you should be. Think instead of ways to make yourself feel whole and at peace. Really connect with yourself, so you can feel stable even in the most uncomfortable of moments.
3) recognizing that anxiety is rooted in the future. Ask yourself what's bothering you right this moment, and take comfort in the realization that your fears are less urgent than you think. (This reminds me of a "Welcome to Night Vale" quote: "The past is gone, and cannot harm you anymore. And while the future is fast coming for you, it always flinches first and settles in as the gentle present. This now, this us? We can cope with that. We can do this together.”)
This book may not have changed my life, but it has given me extra tools for my arsenal in coping with anxiety, and that's always something to be thankful for. This is also the first book/memoir I've read about anxiety, so perhaps I will delve deeper into the genre and form more coherent thoughts about what I value and dislike in such a book. For now, I can't say whether this book is a good resource or not; I'm sure that it depends on the person reading it and also on the books/advice columns to which the reader is comparing it. Still, it might be worth a shot if hearing different perspectives on anxiety is something you're looking for. This book doesn't claim to be an instruction manual; it sticks to saying, "This is what helped me, so perhaps it will help you, too."
I listened to the audiobook, which was nice; the only bit that confused me was when I misheard the word "artistic" as "autistic," and even then, I was like, "Yes, it makes sense to me that anxiety is integral to the autistic experience. But would the author say this? It's coming out of left-field right now. She's never mentioned autism before!"
Speaking of the intersection between autism and anxiety, I thought it was fascinating to hear so much about another person's experience with an anxiety disorder. Half of the time, I couldn't relate to Sarah Wilson's experiences (specifically her more extroverted and "daring" qualities); the other half of the time, her stories were all too familiar (specifically her tales about decision paralysis and the anxiety feedback loop of being anxious about being anxious and worsening your physical symptoms because of it).
There were some moments where I felt like something else was at play, maybe not for Wilson specifically, but for other folks with anxiety. Noise sensitivity, for example, is common among anxious folks, but it can also stem from autism and misophonia, in which case I wouldn't recommend "just dealing with it," because "wherever you go, you bring yourself." I would say, "Get the accommodations you need, and don't subject yourself to unnecessary pain!"
Some of my favorite bits of advice for dealing with anxiety include:
1) telling yourself that your anxiety symptoms can be attributed to excitement or other positive emotions instead. For example, if you're scared about a job interview, reframe it as, "I am excited to have this opportunity. I am looking forward to getting this job." It may be gaslighting, but hey, if it works, it works.
2) striving for wholeness rather than happiness. "Happiness" is elusive, and it can be stressful to think that you're not as happy as you should be. Think instead of ways to make yourself feel whole and at peace. Really connect with yourself, so you can feel stable even in the most uncomfortable of moments.
3) recognizing that anxiety is rooted in the future. Ask yourself what's bothering you right this moment, and take comfort in the realization that your fears are less urgent than you think. (This reminds me of a "Welcome to Night Vale" quote: "The past is gone, and cannot harm you anymore. And while the future is fast coming for you, it always flinches first and settles in as the gentle present. This now, this us? We can cope with that. We can do this together.”)
This book may not have changed my life, but it has given me extra tools for my arsenal in coping with anxiety, and that's always something to be thankful for. This is also the first book/memoir I've read about anxiety, so perhaps I will delve deeper into the genre and form more coherent thoughts about what I value and dislike in such a book. For now, I can't say whether this book is a good resource or not; I'm sure that it depends on the person reading it and also on the books/advice columns to which the reader is comparing it. Still, it might be worth a shot if hearing different perspectives on anxiety is something you're looking for. This book doesn't claim to be an instruction manual; it sticks to saying, "This is what helped me, so perhaps it will help you, too."
gothdess's review against another edition
3.0
It honestly felt like 300 pages of rambling, however, despite that I did really enjoy some of the antidotes and exercises she put in there, and felt that they were valuable inputs into the book
gemcon_'s review
2.0
I bought this book because I seemed to promise a new outlook on anxiety and why it can be a positive thing when looked at the right way.
Instead it’s basically just a memoir posing as a self book. Not bad at points but not the book I picked up to read
Instead it’s basically just a memoir posing as a self book. Not bad at points but not the book I picked up to read
amandameowly's review against another edition
2.0
I really struggled to get through this book. It took me forever to read and I honestly had to push myself to finish it. In fact, I would say that other than a few pieces of wise information, this book made my anxiety worse than actually helped it.
First of all, the astounding place of privilege this book comes from. Wow. At one point the author literally says that she never worries about money. And then has an anecdote about how $10,000 magically appeared when she needed because she forgot about it... Okay, great, must be nice? She then goes on to mention the various ashrams and spas she's been to, to help manage her anxiety. Taking months or a year off of work to go live somewhere on her own...
Then, the best example of her privilege of it all, she talks about a time she was without any documentation and literally stole food and snuck into hostels to stay for free. Of course, this is a white woman we are talking about, so of course no serious repercussions happened other than she finally learned how to "sit with herself." Uh, okay?
It felt like there was less of an actual book about what she knew and experienced, than just a very long list of other books, quotes, references, studies never linked, generalizations, and story after story after story. The fact that the book was broken up into numbered passages made it even worse. Every time I saw a new numbered passage, I would immediately groan, knowing it would start with something like, "M friend Allison and I were sitting at a cafe and she said...." blah blah blah ancient wisdom.
I didn't click or connect with the author well, her tone was all over the place. I felt like I was reading the author's fast-paced inner monologue, like we were going down a steep hill in a bicycle with no brakes.
I'd say skip this book and just read the highlighted notes.
First of all, the astounding place of privilege this book comes from. Wow. At one point the author literally says that she never worries about money. And then has an anecdote about how $10,000 magically appeared when she needed because she forgot about it... Okay, great, must be nice? She then goes on to mention the various ashrams and spas she's been to, to help manage her anxiety. Taking months or a year off of work to go live somewhere on her own...
Then, the best example of her privilege of it all, she talks about a time she was without any documentation and literally stole food and snuck into hostels to stay for free. Of course, this is a white woman we are talking about, so of course no serious repercussions happened other than she finally learned how to "sit with herself." Uh, okay?
It felt like there was less of an actual book about what she knew and experienced, than just a very long list of other books, quotes, references, studies never linked, generalizations, and story after story after story. The fact that the book was broken up into numbered passages made it even worse. Every time I saw a new numbered passage, I would immediately groan, knowing it would start with something like, "M friend Allison and I were sitting at a cafe and she said...." blah blah blah ancient wisdom.
I didn't click or connect with the author well, her tone was all over the place. I felt like I was reading the author's fast-paced inner monologue, like we were going down a steep hill in a bicycle with no brakes.
I'd say skip this book and just read the highlighted notes.
lozzyd's review against another edition
5.0
After having this book recommended to me more than once, I decided to give this a go. I found myself nodding, laughing, crying and taking notes at various times and in varying orders. Sarah is so relatable and has such a conversational writing style, I left this book feeling like she was one of my friends! This book is a great read for anyone prone to anxiety or a loved one of an anxiety sufferer.
keeks2312's review against another edition
3.0
The first half of this book really spoke to me and I felt like I got sooo much out of it. The second half felt a little bit preachy and felt more of a "how to" on anxiety and kinda made me feel like I'm not doing enough which is probably not what was intended with this one haha
Still would definitely recommend and thought it had some great information and a really good insight into living with anxiety.
Still would definitely recommend and thought it had some great information and a really good insight into living with anxiety.
sarahelem's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
4.5
I ate this book up.
knygu_skaitytoja's review against another edition
3.0
Ši knyga ne kiekvienam ir ji tikrai ne man. Nelabai patiko knygos montažas, joje daug blankių teiginių, daug neatitikimų laiko juostose pasakojant. Man gal kiek kliuvo pats tekstas – būtų padėjęs geresnis redagavimas. Jautėsi skaitant tarsi ji išleista ir parašyta paskubomis, tarsi parašant tinklaraščio įrašą ir jį išplėtojant. O ne kaip knyga dideliam leidėjui. Knyga įdomi, naudinga, tiesiog kaip yra sakoma turi rasti savo skaitytoją – ir jis tikrai ne aš.