I had the pleasure of listening to the latest #Rizamblings podcast episode (details below) with the incomparable Riz & award-winning photographer and awesome human being & friend, @MrsEmma.
The #RizambleAlong that Emma set was asking for book or other recommendations about #SelfCare.
A lot of the non fiction I’ve been reading lately has been about habits and how to improve focus. Technology is delivering some great improvements that can lead to better self care; remote working possibilities, meditation apps like the wonderful Headspace and other positive community effects to make people realise they’re not alone.
On the flip side, it’s increasingly clear that some services are deliberately gaming addictive behaviours which is causing social media pressures which are worsening isolation, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy when people attempt to compare themselves to others edited versions of reality.
Nine years ago, RSA Animate did a whiteboard animated version of Sir Ken Robinson’s talk about Changing Education Paradigms.
In it he makes the point about the number of distractions kids are facing so it’s no wonder they have short attention spans. And to combat this we’re throwing drugs at the problem, as is often the case where it’s assumed that trying to paper over the symptoms is better than solving the root cause.
It’s clear to me that talking through your problems helps make you realise that you’re not on your own. As such, when I recently bought the audiobook from the fantastic Mel Robbins called Take Control Of Your Life I was bowled-over by the fact you get to listen to other people chatting about their problems; an often too rare event.
I’d already discovered Mel’s worth through her famous ‘5 Second Rule‘ (which is also worth a read / listen as it’s a great ‘call to action’). She’s an engaging speaker for me primarily because of her openness and honesty about the struggles she went through and what she learned from them. The ‘5 Second Rule’ and what she shares of her own experience in ‘Take Control’ is from an authentic inspiring story.
What I found fascinating and compelling with ‘Take Control’ is that you’re a fly on the wall in six life-coaching sessions with Mel and someone facing their own particular flavour of fear.
Fear is such a big, scary word that it’s often not talked about. I’ve read public speaking books encouraging you to reframe fear to excitement as your body can’t tell the difference between the two. The topics covered by these six case studies demonstrate just how much fear can creep into our lives.
I love Mel’s no-nonsense approach to cutting right through to the heart of the matter. When listening to each interview, I was surprised about just how much of myself I found in each of the scenarios. At the start of being introduced to Dan, Heather, Rosa, Casey, Amy, and Cassandra my initial reaction was curiosity rather than identifying with their struggles directly. However the more I listened the more I could see bits of myself in each of them. I guess it depends on your situation and mindset.
What I found refreshing about this format was that it gave you someone else’s problem to consider and listen to. Instead of a traditional ‘Self Care’ book where it’s all self inspection and critiquing (which can be difficult or uncomfortable to see yourself clearly in), hearing other’s talk about their problems gave me more freedom to hear their insights without feeling defensive about any insights I might have about myself.
It feels like a privilege to listen in to someone else’s therapy session and Mel’s clear summing up after each chapter gives you more time to digest what you’ve just listened to.
It would never work as a written book as you wouldn’t get all of the emotional responses and breakthrough moments as clearly as they come through on this Audible Original.
You can take a trial of Audible through my affiliate link, pick ‘Take Control’ as your free book and keep it forever even if you don’t continue on after the free trial period.