I really enjoyed this. The topic is one that I've personally struggled with a lot. I have a tendency to take on far too much; filling up every moment of my day with work and not having hobbies outside of it. This book was an excellent reminder to find a balance and time to breathe.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very helpful book, filled with great food for thought!

Are you productive to the exclusion of proper rest? Why do your feelings of self-worth seem to be tied up with how much you are doing? Have you ever wanted to do something because someone else was doing it, but maybe it doesn't really fit your values or goals? These questions and more are explored in the book Toxic Productivity by Israa Nasir. I found this book very relatable and that it would apply to many peoples situations.
Ms. Nasir sets up the problems (or causes) of toxic productivity, and offers guided exercises to help you challenge them. She also examines her topic through her clients' narratives.
Many of the problems are fear-based "motivation", shame, or common thought distortions. I liked this book because it encourages you to think about your thoughts and if they are serving you. One chapter is about identifying your inner critic and turning it into your inner coach. This book would go nicely along with cognitive behavioral therapy, if you are using those skills.

Toxic Productivity: Reclaim Your Time and Emotional Energy in a World That Always Demands More by Israa Nasir is a timely and insightful exploration of the harmful effects of society’s obsession with constant productivity. Through a blend of personal reflections, research, and actionable strategies, Nasir sheds light on how the pressure to always do more—whether in our careers, personal lives, or social media presence—can drain our emotional energy and lead to burnout, anxiety, and a disconnection from our true selves.

Nasir critiques the pervasive “hustle culture” that glorifies overworking and achieving at all costs, emphasizing the need for balance, self-compassion, and mindfulness. She calls for a shift in mindset, encouraging readers to challenge the notion that their worth is tied to how much they can produce. With practical tips on time management, setting boundaries, and prioritizing rest, the book provides a roadmap for individuals looking to break free from the cycle of toxic productivity and embrace a more fulfilling, sustainable way of living.

What makes Toxic Productivity especially effective is Nasir’s ability to connect the personal and the systemic. She shows how societal pressures, cultural expectations, and digital distractions contribute to the overwhelming demand to be constantly productive. The book also offers a deeper understanding of how self-worth becomes intertwined with achievement, and provides a much-needed perspective on redefining success on one’s own terms.

For anyone feeling overwhelmed by the demands of modern life, Toxic Productivity is a compassionate and empowering guide to reclaiming one’s time and energy. Nasir’s approach is both realistic and affirming, making it a must-read for those seeking to break free from the cycle of endless productivity and restore balance in their lives.

This was interesting and well developed, even if some of the content was similar to concepts developed in other self-help books on productivity. The angle was interesting and new, and I would definitely rank this as one of the best self-help books I've read this year. I think I'll get myself a physical copy to add to my bookshelves!

If you like this book, you might be interested in reading Slow Productivity by Cal Newport next - I think these books would work very well together if you want to learn more about what productivity means in today's world, and how to make it work for you instead of letting other people's expectations rule you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the published for the free advanced reader copy.

This book is meant to show how toxic positivity is...well...toxic. but honestly, I was bored through it. It had some interesting parts, some parts that just made sense and was like *light bulb, but other than that, it was more of a push in the "if you try to be too productive, you're wrong". I did like that it pointed out you don't always have to be "yay let's do it, this is going to be great" when you know it won't be. I felt like more people need to be reminded of that (myself included). I also felt like it could have been shorter and still got the point across and helped people not feel like they had to be positive all the time, even in times positivity isn't really the best option.

This book offered some interesting ideas, though I'm not sure any of it is "new" information. However, I still would buy a copy to keep on my bookshelf.

Israa Nasir’s Toxic Productivity takes a deep dive into the cultural obsession with hustle and the dangerous toll it takes on our mental and physical well-being.

The book is well-structured and carefully planned. The author writes with clarity, offering examples and illustrations that help make psychological concepts more accessible. Her insights into self-worth, shame, burnout, and perfectionism resonate deeply, especially in a society that often equates productivity with personal value. What I also liked were the thoughtful suggestions and actionable steps the author provides.

That said, while the book is well-written and purposeful, it didn’t feel groundbreaking to me. For those already familiar with concepts like hustle culture or burnout, much of the material may feel like a reiteration of ideas we’ve heard before.

Still, a good book, worth reading.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Review courtesy of NetGalley

Toxic positivity is a term I was not wholly familiar with in theory but in practice. When I came across this book I requested it to not only learn more about it but also to examine my own experiences with it. Nasir offers not only education but practical application to help to tackle the thinking and behaviors associated with Toxic positivity and how it can do more harm than good.

Nasir focuses on emotional and behavioral habits to help process triggers and habits that may contribute to a life of ones own design.

You will find this book helpful from the very beginning with practical application guides throughout.

If you are truly looking for a book that will be helpful, you would do well to jump into this one.

this was great, exactly what I expected it to be and more, I would highly recommend this to anyone who needs it!

Thank you netgalley, pesi publishing, and bridge city books for the e-arc in exchange for a honest review. I found this book easy to read and follow along. Perfect to share with clients in helping increase awareness in noticing patterns and tendencies for hyperoptimization resulting in toxic productivity. I especially appreciate the strategies to help break the pattern for more intentional rest and mindfulness.

Therapist Israa Nasir provides a framework for understanding your toxic productivity behaviours, how to start to challenge these and create more sustainable habits towards authentic goals. This is well researched and includes helpful and appropriate case studies from Israa’s experiences with her own clients. I wished that I had read this a few years ago when I was in the depths of toxic productivity - doing 2 postgraduate degrees and working part time - perhaps I could have developed sustainable practices before developing chronic illness. This was short enough that it didn’t feel like another chore to put on your list. She provides helpful summaries at the end of each chapter and helpful questions and exercises to allow you to engage with the content. I made lots of notes of things to use with my own clients as well as myself.

If you are someone who ties your worth to your productivity or who struggles with burnout or perfectionism this is the book for you!

Some interesting tips and strategies. Be more productive, avoid stress and burnout. Nothing new to what is already out there.

I recently had the chance to read “Toxic Positivity,” which was a rewarding experience, particularly the advice on pacing oneself while reading. Given the demands of my stressful job, the book struck a chord with me. I’m eager to see how it benefits others who might be grappling with similar challenges.

When I picked up this book I wasn’t expecting things to get so deep. 😅😂 As someone who recently quit a high stress career to be a SAHM I’ve struggled with a lot of toxic productivity trying to do anything and everything to give myself a purpose at home. Add in all those learning project activities and things you “should” do with your kids on social media and I was overwhelmed. 🥴

This book not only gives tips about how to combat toxic productivity but there were a lot of useful exercises to deep dive behind the “why” of these actions for each person. I discovered a lot behind my go-getter, check list making self in this book. I’d definitely recommend to those experiencing burn out or overwhelm from all of the “shoulds” in life!

I've read a million self help books over my lifetime. What sets Toxic Productivity apart from all the others? There are practical solutions in every chapter - exercises that are easy enough to do that will bring the points home and help as your journey through life. After all, what good is reading a book if you read it and put it on the shelf? But having something you can actually do will help the concepts stick.

The chapter (and part of another chapter) on Self Care was the best part of the book for me. With everyone trying to talk about self care and scheduling spa days or finding vacation time, only to feel obligated to continue "doing" something. We seem to lose sight of the fact that the idea of self care is that it will refresh and refill our energy bank. Allowing for space in our lives is crucial.

I really recommend this book for everyone - there is an area each of us can use to help us enjoy life more. After all, we are human BEINGS and not Human DOINGs.

I was given this book by NetGaley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own

"Even our proudest achievements cease to have any meaning for us; they're simply a row of checkmarks on a never-ending list, a line of stepping stones toward a destination we will never reach. This is what I call toxic productivity." Woof this one hit like a gut punch!!

This is a good introduction to all things toxic productivity...a concept that has been gaining more and more traction as people are feeling burnout more than ever and learning that being the person who can do "it all" is not going to last.

I liked the explanations and definitions, definitely a good introduction and foundation for anyone looking to adopt some ways of not trying to do it all or squeeze productivity into every waking moment.

Thank you NetGalley, Bridge City Books, and Israa Nasir for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a great book! I enjoyed this book quite a bit - it has a lot of great teaching on not just Toxic Productivity as a concept, but the journey of getting from toxic productivity to a healthier place. The combination of client experiences and personal experience was a great mix, and Israa kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved this book, it was very clear and easy to see how bad habits result in difficult behaviours that we can correct by making conscious choices. It will help you understand what is important and what is holding you back from being successful. I think this is a great read for anyone who struggles with busyness at work, or guilt from juggling a job (or more than one job) and family or personal life - it will help you reset your personal expectations and get out of the overwhelm.
I received an ARC via Netgalley - thank you!

I’m quite impressed by this one. I like to go into all self development books with a healthy dose of skepticism but I was pleasantly surprised with this one. There were a lot of relatable and validator messages, as well as really great feedback and good for thought. I felt like I have a mini therapy session. I would definitely recommend this book, thank you so much for the ARC opportunity