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A review by persistent_reader
Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode--and into a Life of Connection and Joy by Aundi Kolber
4.0
What if stiff-upper-lipping and white-knuckling our way through tough situations is making it worse and harming ourselves in the process. What if we tried softer? The author is a therapist who had to learn this lesson for herself. She writes with empathy and understanding about the trauma and suffering that can be debilitating and provides a different approach that is kinder and more compassionate.
My main takeaway is that we are made in the image of God and much more complicated than we realize. There are so many things that affect us that a one-size-fits-all and simplistic approach to mental illness isn't going to cut it and isn't very compassionate. Our brains are plastic, and their physiology is changed through trauma. So the physical is a necessary component as well as the spiritual. There are some areas that I would disagree with the author, but overall I think it's time that we realized that many sufferers are bruised reads who need to try softer, not try harder.
I listened to an audio version as I gave my print copy to my daughter, who suggested this may be helpful for me. My print copy is coming in the mail soon, which I am planning to reread.
My main takeaway is that we are made in the image of God and much more complicated than we realize. There are so many things that affect us that a one-size-fits-all and simplistic approach to mental illness isn't going to cut it and isn't very compassionate. Our brains are plastic, and their physiology is changed through trauma. So the physical is a necessary component as well as the spiritual. There are some areas that I would disagree with the author, but overall I think it's time that we realized that many sufferers are bruised reads who need to try softer, not try harder.
I listened to an audio version as I gave my print copy to my daughter, who suggested this may be helpful for me. My print copy is coming in the mail soon, which I am planning to reread.