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A review by kelly_e
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Amelia Nagoski, Emily Nagoski
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.25
Title: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
Author: Emily & Amelia Nagoski
Genre: Self Help
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: March 14 2019
T H R E E • W O R D S
Insightful • Funny • Plain
📖 S Y N O P S I S
A feminist account of why women experience burnout differently than men, and a collection of strategies to help end the cycle of feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Focusing on the notion that we are enough as we are, and that having it all is simply an illusion.
💭 T H O U G H T S
The true value of this book for me came from reading it as a book club selection. Being able to discuss real life examples with the other members while being able to implement various tips and completing the exercises was beneficial. It allowed me to see the information present put into practice.
Written in a funny and direct way, Burnout was an interesting read. This book is well-intentioned, but nothing was particularly new to me. I found the writing to be a bit too simple, which was likely the authors' intent of wanting to reach the everyday person. Sometimes this care-free manner felt inappropriate.
I particularly liked how simple some of the options offered were; from a simple hug to taking time to breathe. And especially the importance of exercise. It's no secret that exercise is huge in relation to stress and yet many of us don't take the time to complete the cycle in this manner.
I'd say this is one of those books where you need to take what is useful and disregard the rest. I listened to this book on audio, but to get the full experience I would recommend listening and reading at the same time.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• anyone trying to do it all
• book clubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"We humans are not built to do big things alone, we are built to work together."
"To be 'well' is not to live in a state of perpetual safety and calm, but to move fluidly from a state of adversity, risk, adventure or excitement, back to safety and calm, and out again. Stress is not bad for you; being stick is bad for you. Wellness happens when your body is a place of safety for you, even when you body is not necessarily in a safe place. You can be well, even during the times when you don't feel good."
"Everyone's life is different, and we are all doing out best. 'Our best' today may not be 'the best there is,' but it's the best we can do today. Which is strange. And yet true. And could draw us down into helplessness and isolation if we don't stay anchored. And the way we stay anchored is with gratitude."
"Being grateful for good things doesn't erase the difficult things."
Author: Emily & Amelia Nagoski
Genre: Self Help
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: March 14 2019
T H R E E • W O R D S
Insightful • Funny • Plain
📖 S Y N O P S I S
A feminist account of why women experience burnout differently than men, and a collection of strategies to help end the cycle of feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Focusing on the notion that we are enough as we are, and that having it all is simply an illusion.
💭 T H O U G H T S
The true value of this book for me came from reading it as a book club selection. Being able to discuss real life examples with the other members while being able to implement various tips and completing the exercises was beneficial. It allowed me to see the information present put into practice.
Written in a funny and direct way, Burnout was an interesting read. This book is well-intentioned, but nothing was particularly new to me. I found the writing to be a bit too simple, which was likely the authors' intent of wanting to reach the everyday person. Sometimes this care-free manner felt inappropriate.
I particularly liked how simple some of the options offered were; from a simple hug to taking time to breathe. And especially the importance of exercise. It's no secret that exercise is huge in relation to stress and yet many of us don't take the time to complete the cycle in this manner.
I'd say this is one of those books where you need to take what is useful and disregard the rest. I listened to this book on audio, but to get the full experience I would recommend listening and reading at the same time.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• anyone trying to do it all
• book clubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"We humans are not built to do big things alone, we are built to work together."
"To be 'well' is not to live in a state of perpetual safety and calm, but to move fluidly from a state of adversity, risk, adventure or excitement, back to safety and calm, and out again. Stress is not bad for you; being stick is bad for you. Wellness happens when your body is a place of safety for you, even when you body is not necessarily in a safe place. You can be well, even during the times when you don't feel good."
"Everyone's life is different, and we are all doing out best. 'Our best' today may not be 'the best there is,' but it's the best we can do today. Which is strange. And yet true. And could draw us down into helplessness and isolation if we don't stay anchored. And the way we stay anchored is with gratitude."
"Being grateful for good things doesn't erase the difficult things."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
Minor: Sexual assault