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How to Stop Trying
How to Stop Trying: An Overachievers Guide to Self-Acceptance, Letting Go, and Other Impossible Things | Kate Williams
3 posts | 2 read
An unflinchingly honest and sometimes hilarious look at hustle culture, exploring the forces that have shaped a generation of overachieving women who now find themselves in search of a better way forward. Have you ever heard someone say, Im trying to make it work, and thought, That sounds like a great idea? Probably not. Because the thing about trying is that its tiring; its labor. Anyone who has tried to have fun or to relax or to fall asleep knows this to be true. And yet: we exist within a culture that encourages usoften with a frantic urgencyto try, and try harder. We are told to try a different approach, try to do or be better, try to squeeze in a little bit more. This is especially true of women, who not only have to try harder than men to receive access to the same opportunities and resources, but who are also conditioned to try in the name of meeting others' needs and expectations, often at the expense of their own well-being. In this galvanizing and illuminating read, Kate tackles hustle culture head-on, exploring the ways in which women are primed to become relentless strivers. From the workplace to motherhood, from relationships to self-careno arena of a womans life is safe from the pressure to exceed expectations. This conflation of self-worth with achievement, she argues, is both toxic and counterproductive, as the qualities we most seekhappiness, meaning, purposeare not earned but rather owned. Known for her astute cultural analysis and pitch-perfect observations of generational trends, Williams takes readers on a journey rooted in her own struggle to divest from an overachieving identity, including the realizations that came in the wake of a painful fertility challenge. Deeply felt, passionately argued, and often laugh-out-loud funny, this is a book for every woman who has ever wondered what would happen if she stopped trying so hardand just let go.
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Kerrbearlib
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#MentalHeathMonday

Hard to believe it‘s the end of June! It‘s been a good month on a personal level. I‘ve had moments of joy, I‘ve read great books, and I‘ve stayed emotionally regulated despite the terrible things in the world. I‘m heartbroken and angry about all that‘s happening - but overall, I‘m doing better than I thought I might be six months into 2025.

How was your June?

Deblovestoread I sort of tapped out mid-June. Didn‘t pick up my daily reading for almost 2 weeks, scrolled by more than paying attention to posts here and elsewhere. Played mind numbing games. The last few days have been better so I think it was a much needed break. 3w
TheBookHippie @Deblovestoread I too was busy with the library sale for 8 days all day and it helped me escape a tiny bit. 3w
TheBookHippie Hydrate and get the right sleep. Make sure to break bread with other people and make sure laughter is a part of your life. I think having coping skills with my CPTSD & anxiety actually helps me here. I‘m use to being calm and peace when it‘s STORM everywhere you look. That being said I also have very firm boundaries. June was good for me. Better than I thought as well.. 3w
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IriDas My June was all over the place. For n stuff with my kids and lots of reading because work is off for three weeks. But work was off for three weeks. 🚫💵😔 And, of course, the world is so terrible right now. I started walking at the beach before work and that‘s helped a little. There‘s another protest on Friday here. 🪧 I don‘t blame you for taking a break. I know it helps to do so. Make sure you take care of yourself as much as possible. 3w
AnnCrystal 💕🙏🏼🫂✌🏼💝. 3w
CatLass007 I loathe and despise Summer. And it‘s only just beginning. I would rather run barefoot, maybe even naked, in the snow rather than dealing with the oppressive heat of Summer. So that‘s me physically. I‘m trying to stay informed with what‘s going on in the world while not letting it overwhelm me. That is not an easy thing. Some days I read the news some days I don‘t. I also have to avoid certain people on the extreme right, and others on (cont)⬇️ (edited) 3w
CatLass007 the radical left. I know we all know the kind of stuff the people on the right side, but I‘m appalled when I hear folks on the radical left saying it would be a good idea to storm the White House and kill the occupant of the Oval Office. I don‘t know if that would be a second American Civil War or total anarchy. I am not for either of those things. Molly is still with me. I thought that I would have to have her euthanized last (cont)⬇️ (edited) 3w
CatLass007 week. She‘s lost so much weight but her days are good. She‘s grooming. She‘s jumping to the high spots that she adores. She‘s affectionate. She doesn‘t have bad days. She has little things that are bad during some days. I go in for surgery on Friday, 25 June and will be in the hospital for a week. I hate the idea of something happening with her while I am gone and someone else having to deal with it. Someone will come by daily to feed, (cont)⬇️ 3w
CatLass007 water, and scoop for all the kitties. But I need to be here for her when her time comes. So that‘s been on my mind for the last couple of days. But mostly, other than the heat, I‘m doing pretty well. (edited) 3w
Kerrbearlib @CatLass007 glad to hear Molly is still with you and that she is having good days. Keep us posted about her and your surgery! 3w
dabbe Thank you for the tag, and for checking in with us on Mondays! 😍 Like @CatLass007, I abhor the heat of summer. So ironic, being born and still living in Phoenix. It was 117º yesterday with humidity at 60% (42ºC), the hottest 6/30 on record here. 😳 C'mon, October! I've avoided the news (except for Colbert's and Kimmel's monologues), and I've loved the daily joys of living with Matt and my dogs. 💙🩵💙 3w
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Kerrbearlib
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#MentalHealthMonday

I‘m coping by staying hydrated, watching YouTube videos by licensed mental health professionals, writing, and spending time outside later. And will probably do some reading too! Oh, and being less hard on myself. Hence this book!

Anyone want to be added to my #MentalHealthMonday tagged list? Let me know!

IriDas Im supposed to be coping? Excuse me a moment **screams into the void** OK, I‘m back. 😉 Would love to be added. I‘m glad you can get some refreshment today. Much needed right now. 4w
Deblovestoread To cope I‘m taking a day off from news. I have a couple of small chores to do and then I am finishing up my cards for #SummerCardSwap. Tonight I‘m going to an outside concert with my daughter where I intend to dance with abandon and sing (badly) at the top of my lungs. 4w
dabbe I do! 🙋‍♀️ And thank you! I'm taking the dogs for a walk before it gets above 100º; then, I hope to get some housework done while jamming to my favorite 70s-80s tunes, then read in the afternoon, and watch the D-Backs. NO NEWS. Totally hiding from that. 💙 4w
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dabbe @Deblovestoread I hope you and your daughter shake down that concert house! 😍 4w
CatLass007 I‘m avoiding the news as much as possible, listening to good music, and listening to good books. I also am wondering why one of my cats, Benjamin, thinks that the best time to cuddle is in the summer when it‘s 90° out. This morning when I was still in bed, he decided to climb on my pillow and press his back up against my left ear. It‘s OK I‘ve been having earache in that ear. The last few days and heat is always good for an earache. I (cont)⬇️ 4w
CatLass007 will request prayer and positive thoughts sent Molly‘s way (and mine) since her health is declining and I need to be super aware of how she‘s behaving because I think the day to take her to be euthanized will be this week. I just need to be careful not to hold onto her for too long. I have to remember that this is for her not for me. 4w
AnnCrystal @CatLass007 prayers for you both during this difficult time. Molly just needs to know you're near when she does journey on 😢🙏🏼🫂💝. (edited) 4w
CatLass007 @AnnCrystal Thank you. 4w
AnnCrystal @CatLass007 🙏🏼💝. 4w
Susanita Please add me to the list 💝 4w
TheBookHippie @CatLass007 sending you love. 4w
Kerrbearlib @IriDas Screaming into the void counts as coping, in my opinion, lol! I will be sure to add you next time!
3w
Kerrbearlib @Deblovestoread sounds like a great day! How was the concert? 3w
Kerrbearlib @dabbe Will remember to add you next time! What were some of your favorite tunes you played? I listed to some 70s jams on Monday too! 3w
Kerrbearlib @CatLass007 sending prayers to you and Molly 🙏 3w
CatLass007 @Kerrbearlib Thank you. 3w
dabbe @Kerrbearlib Here's a link to the list; lovely people on Litsy created it! 😍https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5sZRAAKVORN1SRh7S6l60g?si=uuWKYvWQTTGXIZCFAc50vg 3w
dabbe @CatLass007 Holding you and Molly in my thoughts. 🖤🐾🖤 3w
CatLass007 @dabbe Thank you. 3w
TheBookHippie Checking in ♥️ 3w
Kerrbearlib @TheBookHippie thanks for checking in. Just posted today‘s #MentalHealthMonday 3w
28 likes24 comments
review
CoffeeK8
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Pickpick

In this terrific audiobook the Author, Kate Williams, takes on the the idea of hustle culture and reminds you that it's ok to take a step back or slow down. Our culture expects a "full speed ahead" lifestyle at all times and this book helps to break down these expectations with wit and humor.

Thank you to #Netgalley and #MacmillanAudio for an Audio ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book.

Kerrbearlib Stacked. I need to read this lol 1mo
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