I really enjoyed this and the included illustrations. Maybe it's due to my ongoing fight with anxiety or just feeling burnt out but I really resonated with some chapters and it felt like a little boost to keep myself going this month, regardless of how simple some were.

Korea isn't a very individualistic society, so I enjoyed reading this push for individualism as someone who's visited, studied and lived in Korea for a few months. It may not resonate with Westerners as much, which is a privilege in itself, but history does definitely play a role in how societal norms are built and tradition is maintained. There are a ton of stories coming from female Korean authors about going against the status quo and doing away with misogynistic traditions, which I'm all for (#girlpower). It's refreshing to hear someone else's perspective and serves as a little way for me to remain aware of some worldly happenings that may not get much media attention.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! I got to it late but I think current me appreciated it more than past me could have.

A short and easy-to-read book with bits of humor here and there. Most of it wasn't new information for me but I appreciated the reminder on how I can live a more content life. I don't see this as a self-help book but more conversational. It's like you're getting reassurance and advice from a friend who comes at things from a different culture and perspective. If you want a quick read that will pump up your confidence, read this little gem!

This is a short and pleasant read. Readers familiar with this subject may already know most of these ideas, but it’s still worthwhile to read the perspective of someone from another country.

It was interesting to read a self-help book from the perspective of the Eastern world. Nothing earth shattering in the realm of self-care but certainly a different spin.

This South Korean self help book, although apparently incredibly popular, just wasn’t for me. First off, it really seems to be directed specifically toward South Koreans, and perhaps the Japanese as it makes a number of references to things applicable only in their culture. I don’t know anyone who spends anytime worrying about not making it to a chaebol (I didn’t even know what that was…if you are as ignorant as I, it’s one of about a dozen family controlled conglomerates that dominate South Korea’s economy. Look at how educational my reviews are! Now I will show you how to use the key to a 1987 Subaru to shotgun a beer!)

Second, the primary piece of advice? “Be yourself.” Um, thanks? Maybe that’s more revolutionary in South Korea, I don’t know.

Third, most of the rest of the advice is on the same level, stuff an eight grader could come up with if he or she was writing a self help term paper: don’t be so focused on materialism, don’t engage in gossip, etc. The author includes no helpful hints on how actually accomplish these worthy goals, however, so I’m still desperately lusting after $400 jeans that will make my ass look like J.Lo’s.

Oh, and there was one more story about cooking a baby than I expected, which was none.