Book Blurb:
In her new book, FURIOUSLY HAPPY, Jenny explores her lifelong battle with mental illness. A hysterical, ridiculous book about crippling depression and anxiety? That sounds like a terrible idea. And terrible ideas are what Jenny does best.
My Review: 3.5 stars
Furiously Happy was a fantastic choice for me to listen to while traveling from the suburbs of Chicago to Ann Arbor. I got caught in an awful snowstorm and Jenny Lawson’s memoir saved me from having an anxiety attack of own while being stuck in the snow and bitter cold. Basically, I thank you for saving my life with your humor.
This book took a look at depression and anxiety in the most unscientific way possible. Jenny put her issues right on the table and shared them with the world. Brave, right? That just shows how strong she’s gotten and it seems that her odd brand of sense of humor helped her get there.
There were some chapters that seemed redundant and there were some chapters that I liked much better than others. Either way, this book gave me a glimpse into her mind and I loved that. I reach with stating that I believe everyone has either dabbled with some sort of anxiety or at least a situational depressive episode. Everyone can relate to this book, but if cursing bothers you, it’s not for you.
Quotes I liked:
One of the best things you can do as a parent is to realize that your child is nothing like you, and everything like you.”
“The only person you need to be better than is the person you were yesterday”
“I can tell you that “Just cheer up” is almost universally looked at as the most unhelpful depression cure ever. It’s pretty much the equivalent of telling someone who just had their legs amputated to “just walk it off.”
“Comparison is the death of joy.”
“Someone once said that if you make something no one hates, no one will ever love it either, and that’s true. The same goes for art, writing, and people.”
“I’m having one of those rare days where I love people and all of the amazing wonder they’re capable of and if someone fucks that up for me I will stab them right in the face.”
“I wish someone had told me this simple but confusing truth: Even when everything’s going your way you can still be sad. Or anxious. Or uncomfortably numb. Because you can’t always control your brain or your emotions even when things are perfect.”
“I hope one day I live in a world where the personal fight for mental stability is viewed with pride and public cheers instead of shame. I hope it for you too.”
“Without the dark there isn’t light. Without the pain there is no relief.”
“I’ve struggled with many forms of mental illness since I was a kid, but clinical depression is a semi-regular visitor and anxiety disorder is my long-term abusive boyfriend.”
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