Step one: Stop trying. Step two: Keep reading anyway.

This book is a fascinating mix of “rage against the machine” and “but actually, you put yourself in the machine, so…” The author goes hard against misogyny and capitalism, yet repeatedly reminds us that all the pressure we feel is self-imposed. So which is it? Are we victims of society, or are we just really bad at saying no to extra work emails? The answer, apparently, is yes.

The writing is engaging, often funny, and occasionally thought-provoking—until you hit a sentence that makes you side-eye the page. Case in point: a passing mention of a MAGA-hat-wearing uncle making an offensive comment. The issue? The comment was genuinely rude, but bringing up the hat felt like an unnecessary political jab. I’m here for a discussion on personal growth, not a reminder of my Thanksgiving dinner trauma.

Overall, there’s some solid advice buried under layers of contradictions and social commentary. If you can get past the mixed messaging and occasional off-putting asides, you might walk away with some useful insights. Just don’t try too hard to make sense of it all—ironically, that’s kind of the point.