A review by kitwhelan
Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation, by Anne Helen Petersen
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.