sarahs_reading_again's review against another edition
4.0
As a burnt out millennial myself I hardcore related to many of Petersen’s content. It’s not just “Is it only me who feels this way?” — but more of a “this is a societal problem that has failed to change for the benefit of the common worker.”
Women are constantly treated as (in her words) a “second class citizen,” with a paycheck based on a fraction of a mans wage, limited career advancement and the full expectation to rear children at the same time.
Despite the constant research and studies that provide working less or even a shortened work week boosts both moral and productivity, the US fails to integrate that into the norm that hasn’t changed since the industrial revolution. Not to mention that jobs are expecting the same or even more work with less benefits. There is no guaranteed reward to the employee. God forbid you want ONE day off of work - but is it really? First you need it approved and second you have to try your darn hardest not to think of work, or become mildly anxious at the overwhelming emails flooding your inbox.
This is not even to mention the lack of pay, which we so desperately need to cover our basics. Inflation has skyrocketed yet we are barely paid over minimum wage with the expectations to dive into home debt - if we are approved, at that - and make a living from our non guaranteed jobs.
This is desperately needed to be shared across the board. Because we need change. We need it NOW before a collapse of society. Life isn’t supposed to be this way. We are all exhausted. We aren’t supposed to be in constant anxiety or sacrifice our well being to overwork for someone else’s pocket. We are only human, and as much as a human as the person you see in a grocery store or driving next to you.
Women are constantly treated as (in her words) a “second class citizen,” with a paycheck based on a fraction of a mans wage, limited career advancement and the full expectation to rear children at the same time.
Despite the constant research and studies that provide working less or even a shortened work week boosts both moral and productivity, the US fails to integrate that into the norm that hasn’t changed since the industrial revolution. Not to mention that jobs are expecting the same or even more work with less benefits. There is no guaranteed reward to the employee. God forbid you want ONE day off of work - but is it really? First you need it approved and second you have to try your darn hardest not to think of work, or become mildly anxious at the overwhelming emails flooding your inbox.
This is not even to mention the lack of pay, which we so desperately need to cover our basics. Inflation has skyrocketed yet we are barely paid over minimum wage with the expectations to dive into home debt - if we are approved, at that - and make a living from our non guaranteed jobs.
This is desperately needed to be shared across the board. Because we need change. We need it NOW before a collapse of society. Life isn’t supposed to be this way. We are all exhausted. We aren’t supposed to be in constant anxiety or sacrifice our well being to overwork for someone else’s pocket. We are only human, and as much as a human as the person you see in a grocery store or driving next to you.
kitwhelan's review against another edition
4.0
There isn’t much here I didn’t already know. And it is VERY US-centric, so bear that in mind. I think it could be a warning to our friends in other cultures ;)
As an elder millennial, much of this book was like reading an autobiography, and in that way was very affirming. There was some good analysis of how labor movements and shifts in the 20th century paved the way for our issues now, and the generational pressure on boomers in the 60s-80s. At first, I was disappointed that there wasn’t anything actionable here, but the author wisely points out at the end that another list of things to do is just another way for us millennials to overwhelm ourselves with more burnout.
For those who haven’t been able to name why they’re so exhausted, I hope this book lights a fire in them. For those who understand the systemic causes of burnout, this book is a good review.
As an elder millennial, much of this book was like reading an autobiography, and in that way was very affirming. There was some good analysis of how labor movements and shifts in the 20th century paved the way for our issues now, and the generational pressure on boomers in the 60s-80s. At first, I was disappointed that there wasn’t anything actionable here, but the author wisely points out at the end that another list of things to do is just another way for us millennials to overwhelm ourselves with more burnout.
For those who haven’t been able to name why they’re so exhausted, I hope this book lights a fire in them. For those who understand the systemic causes of burnout, this book is a good review.
kendrareads's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.0
As much as I don't want to claim it, I am a millennial. This book hit home on a lot of truths I have lived and still live. Petersen made a point not to end her book by detailing many solutions for burnout, but emphasized that leadership from the top must change in order to address the burnout that many of us feel. I felt very seen in the chapter about parenting as a millennial, even as I do have a really great partner. Glad I read this and would pass on to other millennials.
avalydia's review against another edition
4.0
I remember passing around the original article that eventually became this book, and I really, really relate to the concept of "errand paralysis":
There's just so many little things to do, and hardly any time, let alone the mental energy, to do them. And any time I have to call someone, like my internet provider or health insurance company, I just know it's going to be an overlong, unnecessarily complicated process and that makes it seem like even more of a herculean effort.
Also felt personally attacked by the passage on social media use:
YES! That is me! Every day of my life! Ever since college, I have not been able to write anything substantial. I used to love writing when I was in middle school and high school, and then somewhere along the way it became so that I couldn't make it two sentences without checking my email or my favorite blog (hell, I can't make it through a Goodreads review either). So then I hate myself for being so unproductive, and then every time I open the Google Doc again, all those feelings come back.
The author mentions that she was able to write again when she went off the grid for a week in a cabin somewhere but like... even aside from being able to afford that, cost-wise, how can you afford to disconnect on a regular basis? Go silent until your friends start another group chat without you? Miss something important in the news, especially in today's political climate? Stop engaging with the accounts you actually do enjoy?
Would love to know the answer to that...
None of these tasks was essential, not really. They were just the humdrum maintenance of everyday life. But no matter what I did, I couldn't bring myself to take the knives to get sharpened, or drop off my favorite boots to get resoled, or complete the paperwork and make the phone call and find the stamp so that my dog could be properly registered... All of these high-effort, low-gratification asks seemed equally impossible" (xiii).
There's just so many little things to do, and hardly any time, let alone the mental energy, to do them. And any time I have to call someone, like my internet provider or health insurance company, I just know it's going to be an overlong, unnecessarily complicated process and that makes it seem like even more of a herculean effort.
Also felt personally attacked by the passage on social media use:
I think, I should really start writing. I go to the Google Doc draft open in my browser. Oops, I mean I go to the clothing website to see if the thing I put in my cart last week is on sale... I write two hundred words in my draft before deciding I should sign that contract for a speaking engagement that's been sitting in my Inbox of Shame. I don't have a printer or scanner, and I can't remember the password for the online document signer... Trump does a bad tweet. Someone else wrote a bad take. I eke out some more writing between very important-seeming Slack conversations about Joe Jonas's musculature."
YES! That is me! Every day of my life! Ever since college, I have not been able to write anything substantial. I used to love writing when I was in middle school and high school, and then somewhere along the way it became so that I couldn't make it two sentences without checking my email or my favorite blog (hell, I can't make it through a Goodreads review either). So then I hate myself for being so unproductive, and then every time I open the Google Doc again, all those feelings come back.
The author mentions that she was able to write again when she went off the grid for a week in a cabin somewhere but like... even aside from being able to afford that, cost-wise, how can you afford to disconnect on a regular basis? Go silent until your friends start another group chat without you? Miss something important in the news, especially in today's political climate? Stop engaging with the accounts you actually do enjoy?
Would love to know the answer to that...