Scan barcode
A review by shellballenger
Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World by Eve Rodsky
2.0
Type of read: Commuter Read.
What made me pick it up: I saw this one either on a Goodreads list or suggested to me through my library app and both the title and the description stuck out to me...also anything that uses the word unicorn is immediately going to get a second glance from me.
Overall rating: I absolutely love how the author introed this book. They made readers aware of the potential unintentional bias that can be present in books like 'Find Your Unicorn Space.' Unfortunately, it all went downhill (for me at least) from there. Do I think there are some absolutely valid points made in 'Find Your Unicorn Space'? Yes. Do I think there are tactics and strategies I could take from 'Find Your Unicorn Space' to work on things in my personal life? Yes. Do I think this book is coming from a place of privilege and magic fairy tale land where things like stretched finances, mental health breakdowns, unsupportive partners/friends/social groups/employers, and the generality of daily life don't exist? You betcha.
I understand that you can't be wishy-washy with a book and what you're trying to teach through that book; however, I think the biggest downfall to the practices and "solutions" brought forth in 'Find Your Unicorn Space' is that we're still telling people to prioritize for one more thing to cross off their to-do list. We're still telling people that downtime for yourself that doesn't have a finite, measurable outcome is part of being a "balanced person." No. I don't receive that. I refuse to believe that to tap into my creative life and fully get joy and purpose out of that creative life that I have to make it a side hustle.
I'm giving 'Find Your Unicorn Space' two stars because I think there are some solid tactics that people could take into their lives and use to become a more purposeful individual; however, I think the whole book as a thought process or teaching is a bit of fooey. Quite honestly, I would rate it lower, but because of a few key nuggets...I'll give it two stars.
Additionally, I read this book as an audiobook, narrated by the author. I'll preface this with, I know this is personal preference but the cadence and timing of the speech is not one I found to be favorable or enjoyable to listen to. Yes, I listen to my audiobooks at 1.5 speed. But, I even went in and put it on normal speed and there were unnecessary pauses, unique choices for word emphasis in the middle of sentences, and overall just an uneven cadence that made it hard to keep focused on the words that were being said.
There are just too many things I did not like or found to be completely off base in 'Find Your Unicorn Space' that I cannot in good conscience recommend it.
Reader's Note: There are questions and journal prompts sprinkled in throughout this book. I did not partake in formally completing those, but they did have some good thought-provoking content to get you thinking about what you enjoy, what you value, and what could be your unicorn space.
What made me pick it up: I saw this one either on a Goodreads list or suggested to me through my library app and both the title and the description stuck out to me...also anything that uses the word unicorn is immediately going to get a second glance from me.
Overall rating: I absolutely love how the author introed this book. They made readers aware of the potential unintentional bias that can be present in books like 'Find Your Unicorn Space.' Unfortunately, it all went downhill (for me at least) from there. Do I think there are some absolutely valid points made in 'Find Your Unicorn Space'? Yes. Do I think there are tactics and strategies I could take from 'Find Your Unicorn Space' to work on things in my personal life? Yes. Do I think this book is coming from a place of privilege and magic fairy tale land where things like stretched finances, mental health breakdowns, unsupportive partners/friends/social groups/employers, and the generality of daily life don't exist? You betcha.
I understand that you can't be wishy-washy with a book and what you're trying to teach through that book; however, I think the biggest downfall to the practices and "solutions" brought forth in 'Find Your Unicorn Space' is that we're still telling people to prioritize for one more thing to cross off their to-do list. We're still telling people that downtime for yourself that doesn't have a finite, measurable outcome is part of being a "balanced person." No. I don't receive that. I refuse to believe that to tap into my creative life and fully get joy and purpose out of that creative life that I have to make it a side hustle.
I'm giving 'Find Your Unicorn Space' two stars because I think there are some solid tactics that people could take into their lives and use to become a more purposeful individual; however, I think the whole book as a thought process or teaching is a bit of fooey. Quite honestly, I would rate it lower, but because of a few key nuggets...I'll give it two stars.
Additionally, I read this book as an audiobook, narrated by the author. I'll preface this with, I know this is personal preference but the cadence and timing of the speech is not one I found to be favorable or enjoyable to listen to. Yes, I listen to my audiobooks at 1.5 speed. But, I even went in and put it on normal speed and there were unnecessary pauses, unique choices for word emphasis in the middle of sentences, and overall just an uneven cadence that made it hard to keep focused on the words that were being said.
There are just too many things I did not like or found to be completely off base in 'Find Your Unicorn Space' that I cannot in good conscience recommend it.
Reader's Note: There are questions and journal prompts sprinkled in throughout this book. I did not partake in formally completing those, but they did have some good thought-provoking content to get you thinking about what you enjoy, what you value, and what could be your unicorn space.