This book was the Big Snooze

So, I really don’t know why I picked yet another self-help book, but here we are.  Again, Amazon was pumping this book at me, and it seemed more promising than Girl Wash Your Face and I requested them both from the library.  They both delivered to my account at the same time and I’m now listening to them back to back.  While this book (barely) compares favorably to Girl Wash Your Face, I just couldn’t bring myself to finish it.  I’m taking power of my own destiny, or some such affirmation?

This book just wasn’t for me.  I think just don’t really like self help books (excepting the Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck which I will probably read again this year).  I didn’t find anything in this book to be harmful or upsetting but I just found it primarily shallow and an overgeneralization.  There is value in realizing that you don’t have to compare yourself to others to figure out what you do or don’t do well, but I just can’t get into the “you’re perfect the way you are, even with all of your flaws (?!?!).  There is no one exactly like you” mantras. Anyone who has waded into the vast abyss of internet comment threads knows that there are decidedly not perfect people out there. I’m a recovering perfectionist- I had to fight long and hard to realize that I’m human, and I’m flawed and I’m never going to be perfect so I can cut myself a break.  There is freedom in knowing that you can be flawed and still be worth loving, and maybe that’s what she’s trying to say, but it’s really wrapped up in a whole lot of nonsense.  The point where I just tuned out was not far after that with the “You are Loved!” apparently by The Universe?  I don’t even know what that’s supposed to mean, and I’m not sure how this vague statement is supposed to help if you feel unloved, so what is the point?

Bottom line, if you want an easy to read, mostly superficial self-help book, this might be for you.  I highly doubt it will be earth shattering, but it feels like the literary equivalent of writing nice post it notes to yourself on your mirror in the hopes that it will make you rich and popular.

PS- As I was searching for the Amazon affiliate link, I see that at least according to Amazon “You Are A Badass” is a registered trademark, and it almost made me deduct a star.