A review by annalisenak97
First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety by Sarah Wilson

4.0

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.