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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
This book is phenomenally written. Integrating vulnerable story with investigative journalism, Sarah weaves a new more hopeful picture of anxiety. Truly a must read for anyone who has anxiety or knows someone who does.
Woooh buddy, I could not finish this anxiety-inducing book. It’s a 137 point argument about why she is right about anxiety. Sure, it’s honest and forthright and imperfect and raw, but I couldn’t handle the structure of 1st, 2nd, 17th, 49th, 137th- it’s like a one sided conversation about all the ways a neurotic person insists that they are confident in their neuroticism. There are some illuminating moments, like this at the end: “I am anxious often. But it’s kept in check if I don’t get anxious about being anxious. And while ever I’m learning more, understanding more, this is entirely possible. Yep, the journey is what matters most. It’s everything.” Let’s just call it a day right there and not talk about the mess that came in the previous 136 arguments/points.
There was (perhaps ironically) something missing. I liked the chattiness, though, and the science mixed with memoir.
This was interesting. I haven't read any books on anxiety before, so I don't have anything to compare this to, but as far as I could tell this was a good and interesting new perspective on anxiety. Wilson encourages her readers not to run from their anxiety, but to sit in it and accept it, encourages them to recognize what they are experiencing as their brain trying to protect them. Essentially, Wilson reframes anxiety as something positive (even necessary) for those who have it. It's an interesting take, and I'm not sure how to feel about it. There is a big emphasis on meditation and some interesting points from Buddhism and Hinduism. The places where Wilson shares her own journey with anxiety are honest and raw. I especially like her emphasis on grace. I do think some of the thought exercises/patterns she suggests could be destructive for some people, but overall this book helped me to understand my friends and loved ones who struggle with anxiety, which was my hope in reading it.
Actually 3.5 stars. This review will be longer than my usual reviews because this was, for me, an unusual book. I listened to the audiobook. Sarah Wilson is Australian, and she narrates the book herself. Most authors are not good narrators, but she does ok, and her Australian accent makes the book slightly more appealing than it would otherwise have been.
The author comes to this book with some excellent creds having written the book "I Quit Sugar" along with several other books tied to that book (how to's, cookbooks, etc). She has a reputation for doing thorough research and for writing well. Those things apply to this book about anxiety. That's the good part. She sites studies, gives numerous examples, quotes many reputable and highly regarded writers, scientists, experts in meditation, psychiatrists, yogi's and others.
So what's the downside? She writes the book in the first person, it's emotional, autobiographical, frustrating, depressing, somewhat scattered across time, place, events, aspects of her issues and problems and more. I'm tempted to say that the first half of the book (about 4 hours of the audiobook) is just a hot mess. She is a basket case with numerous physical and mental issues. Most of those issues somewhat relate to anxiety, but they are not typical for the average person. She has Hashimoto's disease. She has ADHD, she has depression, she's attempted suicide several times. This makes the book an emotional roller coaster, and i found myself often saying "I don't have those problems, i'm just overwhelmed by anxiety sometimes".
Half way through the book, the author finally settles down and talks more directly about anxiety, her experiences, and things that have helped her. That part of the book was helpful. I also found myself saying "Well, if she found hope and help with all her physical and emotional problems, then there is hope for me and for others". That's what makes this a book worth wading through. I just want anyone reading my review to know that the trip through this book will not be easy or at times, seem at all worthwhile. However, there is good information once you get through her self-centered expressions of poor me, i'm such a mess, and into the more useful part of how she has come to deal with her life.
The author comes to this book with some excellent creds having written the book "I Quit Sugar" along with several other books tied to that book (how to's, cookbooks, etc). She has a reputation for doing thorough research and for writing well. Those things apply to this book about anxiety. That's the good part. She sites studies, gives numerous examples, quotes many reputable and highly regarded writers, scientists, experts in meditation, psychiatrists, yogi's and others.
So what's the downside? She writes the book in the first person, it's emotional, autobiographical, frustrating, depressing, somewhat scattered across time, place, events, aspects of her issues and problems and more. I'm tempted to say that the first half of the book (about 4 hours of the audiobook) is just a hot mess. She is a basket case with numerous physical and mental issues. Most of those issues somewhat relate to anxiety, but they are not typical for the average person. She has Hashimoto's disease. She has ADHD, she has depression, she's attempted suicide several times. This makes the book an emotional roller coaster, and i found myself often saying "I don't have those problems, i'm just overwhelmed by anxiety sometimes".
Half way through the book, the author finally settles down and talks more directly about anxiety, her experiences, and things that have helped her. That part of the book was helpful. I also found myself saying "Well, if she found hope and help with all her physical and emotional problems, then there is hope for me and for others". That's what makes this a book worth wading through. I just want anyone reading my review to know that the trip through this book will not be easy or at times, seem at all worthwhile. However, there is good information once you get through her self-centered expressions of poor me, i'm such a mess, and into the more useful part of how she has come to deal with her life.
oef, where do i even start..
first of all, this book got me in a reading slump >twice<
the first time after about 50-ish pages, the second time probably around half way.
second, i thought this was a self help book, but it was more written like a memoir and that was really confusing to me. especially in the first part of the book Wilson completely lost me. the timeline did not make any sense and things kept going from worse to worst and her coping suggestions were largely based around spirituality. this left me unable to relate to her struggles and solutions.
which leads me to my third point, the privilege. at some point in the book Wilson literally said she fixed one of her worst breakdowns by disappearing for eight months in a cabin in the woods. at another point she fixed her problems by going to her personal meditation guru. massages, spa days, choosing to care about the things you want to care about etc. for a book that is supposed to be a self help book this is an incredibly privileged point of view which she did not address ones. it made me feel super irritated and even more closed off to any of the other things she had to say. to be honest there was this overall insensitivity in her writing that i did not really appreciate.
lastly i felt overwhelmed by all the namedropping and vague research references. it is impossible to fact-check all of the things she referenced and because i read in another review that some of the numbers where intensified i felt like i wasn’t always in the position to trust Wilson’s vagueness. but the namedropping also got a bit out of hand in my opinion. she writes roughly 3 paragraphs about her meeting up with Oprah’s meditation coach or something and this whole section, i felt like, did not add anything to the book other that yet another name to be thrown around.
overall i felt very frustrated with it all, the only reason i gave it two stars is because there were about ten things in there which i thought were helpful tips, inspiring quotes or uplifting messages. i bought this book in 2018 because zoe sugg (also known as zoella) recommended it in one of her videos. after reading the book i can see why she, as an upper-class woman, would do so. no shade to her, but i would not consider recommending this book to any of my anxious friends, because i know, being in the position they are in, this book will not help them in the slightest. an assumption, but i reckon it won’t help many people in the slightest, because disappearing for an x amount of months is not a regular persons way of trying to fix the overwhelming aspects of life.
first of all, this book got me in a reading slump >twice<
the first time after about 50-ish pages, the second time probably around half way.
second, i thought this was a self help book, but it was more written like a memoir and that was really confusing to me. especially in the first part of the book Wilson completely lost me. the timeline did not make any sense and things kept going from worse to worst and her coping suggestions were largely based around spirituality. this left me unable to relate to her struggles and solutions.
which leads me to my third point, the privilege. at some point in the book Wilson literally said she fixed one of her worst breakdowns by disappearing for eight months in a cabin in the woods. at another point she fixed her problems by going to her personal meditation guru. massages, spa days, choosing to care about the things you want to care about etc. for a book that is supposed to be a self help book this is an incredibly privileged point of view which she did not address ones. it made me feel super irritated and even more closed off to any of the other things she had to say. to be honest there was this overall insensitivity in her writing that i did not really appreciate.
lastly i felt overwhelmed by all the namedropping and vague research references. it is impossible to fact-check all of the things she referenced and because i read in another review that some of the numbers where intensified i felt like i wasn’t always in the position to trust Wilson’s vagueness. but the namedropping also got a bit out of hand in my opinion. she writes roughly 3 paragraphs about her meeting up with Oprah’s meditation coach or something and this whole section, i felt like, did not add anything to the book other that yet another name to be thrown around.
overall i felt very frustrated with it all, the only reason i gave it two stars is because there were about ten things in there which i thought were helpful tips, inspiring quotes or uplifting messages. i bought this book in 2018 because zoe sugg (also known as zoella) recommended it in one of her videos. after reading the book i can see why she, as an upper-class woman, would do so. no shade to her, but i would not consider recommending this book to any of my anxious friends, because i know, being in the position they are in, this book will not help them in the slightest. an assumption, but i reckon it won’t help many people in the slightest, because disappearing for an x amount of months is not a regular persons way of trying to fix the overwhelming aspects of life.
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."
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
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