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A review by perfictionist19
I Want to Die But I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki: Further Conversations with My Psychiatrist by Baek Se-hee
4.0
Baek Sehee’s therapy memoir, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki, has been widely talked about and, and I was initially hesitant to review it cause I feel inadequate to review a book so deeply personal and vulnerable. So, please consider this not as a review as I will only add my voice to the conversation to talk about things that impacted me in ways, to share my thoughts—not as a critic, but as an amateur reader who appreciated the raw, intimate exploration of depression and anxiety that Sehee offers.
I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki is a continuation of Sehee’s struggle with dysthymia, a chronic form of depression that is present in every aspect of her life. Sehee’s reflects on the mundanity of daily life- about feeling bored, frustrated, and even trapped by the routine of her existence, which is often common in the current generation yet she acknowledges the hidden privilege that in that very ordinariness what we often overlook—the simple, everyday moments that, though they may seem dull, are actually signs of stability and peace. Her reflections resonated with me as I often feel trapped! It encourages me to practice gratitude even when life feels overwhelmingly monotonous.
Throughout the book, Sehee’s conversations with her therapist reveal a whole lot of worries and insights, not just for those struggling with mental health issues, but for anyone trying to navigate the complexities of life. Her therapist’s gentle guidance helps her, and by extension, us the readers, to shift focus away from negativity and towards the positives that we often take for granted- to live with more awareness, empathy, and kindness. Sehee broadly discusses about self-judgment and internalized criticism, offering a perspective that encourages us to be more understanding and less critical towards ourselves.
Sehee also touches on feminism in a way that I could really connect with. She doesn’t treat it as a rigid ideology but rather as a lens through which to understand the multifaceted lives we all lead as humans.
Reading I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki felt like having a heart-to-heart conversation with someone who acknowledges the darkest corners of your mind. This is a memoir not just for those who are struggling with depression or anxiety but also for anyone who wants to be more sensitive, more understanding, and more supportive of the people around them- it’s a blueprint for how we can all be better, more compassionate humans.
Whether you’re battling your own mental health challenges or simply want to be a better ally to those who are, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki is a must read.
I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki is a continuation of Sehee’s struggle with dysthymia, a chronic form of depression that is present in every aspect of her life. Sehee’s reflects on the mundanity of daily life- about feeling bored, frustrated, and even trapped by the routine of her existence, which is often common in the current generation yet she acknowledges the hidden privilege that in that very ordinariness what we often overlook—the simple, everyday moments that, though they may seem dull, are actually signs of stability and peace. Her reflections resonated with me as I often feel trapped! It encourages me to practice gratitude even when life feels overwhelmingly monotonous.
Throughout the book, Sehee’s conversations with her therapist reveal a whole lot of worries and insights, not just for those struggling with mental health issues, but for anyone trying to navigate the complexities of life. Her therapist’s gentle guidance helps her, and by extension, us the readers, to shift focus away from negativity and towards the positives that we often take for granted- to live with more awareness, empathy, and kindness. Sehee broadly discusses about self-judgment and internalized criticism, offering a perspective that encourages us to be more understanding and less critical towards ourselves.
Sehee also touches on feminism in a way that I could really connect with. She doesn’t treat it as a rigid ideology but rather as a lens through which to understand the multifaceted lives we all lead as humans.
Reading I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki felt like having a heart-to-heart conversation with someone who acknowledges the darkest corners of your mind. This is a memoir not just for those who are struggling with depression or anxiety but also for anyone who wants to be more sensitive, more understanding, and more supportive of the people around them- it’s a blueprint for how we can all be better, more compassionate humans.
Whether you’re battling your own mental health challenges or simply want to be a better ally to those who are, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki is a must read.