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The Age of Overwhelm
Strategies for the Long Haul
Whether you are overwhelmed by work, school or your personal life, just a few subtle shifts can help sustain you, suggests Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, bestselling author of Trauma Stewardship. She offers concrete strategies to help mitigate harm, cultivate decency and act with integrity. This book aims to help ease the feeling of being overwhelmed and offers ways to navigate what is yet to come.
Author: Laura van Dernoot Lipsky
Year of Publishing: 2018
Number of Pages: 200
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Reviews
Carol Evans (verified owner) –
I love it. I had a good cry from the very beginning. I couldn’t set it down once I started.
Ashley Flowers (verified owner) –
Very insightful, inspiring for young readers
hmeck (verified owner) –
There were some great parts in the book, and several parts really resonated with me. However, I felt that a lot of the advice given for dealing with overwhelm was generic, the type of advice that nearly everyone gives for self-care tips. Overall I’d say that this book is well-written and worth checking out if you are curious. However, if you are already fairly self-reflective and looking for deeper advice then this book may not provide what you are looking for.
michlindawright92 (verified owner) –
A good helpful read
Kaylabolnick (verified owner) –
Incredible book! Super helpful!
Kaylabolnick (verified owner) –
Incredible book!! Super helpful!
Kaylabolnick (verified owner) –
Incredible book!! Super helpful! I would reread this book in seconds!
TSanderson (verified owner) –
Super helpful! Would read again!
Cheryl Frances (verified owner) –
I appreciated the fact this book cautioned readers who may already be overwhelmed not to let the reading of the book become yet another factor! It took me a while to go through, but I did find its advice, although much of it not new to me, reassuring. A helpful reminder on maintaining perspective and assessing priorities.
Hilary Mankofsky (verified owner) –
Not the most specific book. There’s some great information here for sure and worth a read! However, like another reviewer talked about, if you self reflect and have done some research on this topic then you won’t get a lot more information out of this book. I wish it was a longer book and got more specific.
Celiarn (verified owner) –
Thought provoking read. It made reflect on what in my life is causing the feeling of being overwhelmed and how should go about to change to be in the present.
nonirose (verified owner) –
I’m an overthinker, over worrier and always thinking the what ifs. The age of Overwhelm has been helpful for me to take steps and break things down, keep my integrity when I can’t control what is going on around me (and to me!) and has turned my focus around. The author brings in examples that hit home to me. It makes the book feel it was personally written for me.
Brandy Hess (verified owner) –
A very good overall perspective about life and moving forward
Cdillard (verified owner) –
As someone who is chronically overwhelmed, I really enjoyed this book.
JK (verified owner) –
It’s very insightful and brings you hope when you work in trauma stewardship. I really enjoyed it.
ttmartin76 (verified owner) –
Good reminders throughout.
ttmartin76 (verified owner) –
Felt it gave me reassurance that I was not alone.
Kristan Beckwith (verified owner) –
Great book for teachers!
Eduardo Sanabria (verified owner) –
Great book!
Kathy Franson (verified owner) –
Found the book to be very helpful with a lot of good advice.
yesimajensen (verified owner) –
Very helpful and inspiring read!
aburdett (verified owner) –
Great Read!
Nicole Kieffer (verified owner) –
This book contained a lot of practical advice on how to deal with the overwhelm that comes with our modern life. I recommend this book!
Nicole Moody (verified owner) –
A poor book. While the idea is a good one, the profane language and jokes about drug use detract from the book and leave it less than uplifting. The author also makes incorrect assumptions – i.e. that I am overwhelmed because I’m addicted to caffeine. While those may be the case for some, it’s not the case for me. I don’t consume caffeine.
There are so many other better books that offer helpful, clear advice about mindfulness. This book adds to the problem of overwhelm by burying its message among profanity, tangents, and incorrect assumptions.
Kristine Kjarval (verified owner) –
Other than pulling up the race card through out the book, I should have paid more attention to the author’s last statement in her introduction:
“So, the book itself is guided by a less is more framework. For all that’s omitted… I apologize. I also acknowledge that most, if not all, of the contents of this book may be know to you already. Expression is not revelation”. Laura van Dernoot
So there it is. Save yourself time and read something else.
christinalynnhead (verified owner) –
this book gave a good view on looking at things in a different perspective of your own. Takes the taboo away from being overwhelmed, as we are only human.
Ryanon Medeiros (verified owner) –
This was a great, easy read. Great tips and reminders about how things and ways of being contribute to these stages and patterns of overwhelm. Will definitely reference again.
justareader (verified owner) –
Just what I needed to put things into perspective
Candice (verified owner) –
This book really hit home for me. It’s a fantastic read with great reassurance.
DeAnna Pickett (verified owner) –
Laura van Dernoot Lipsky is an amazing presenter and writer. This book was validating and helpful for how to not get sucked into the darkness and hopelessness.
kerricoldren (verified owner) –
I am eagerly awaiting to read this and look forward to doing so when it’s available again.
Beth Lafleur (verified owner) –
Very interesting read. Very timely.
kmills (verified owner) –
I recommend this book to anyone working in the social welfare field
George Weatherford (verified owner) –
Vandernoot Lipsky has a lot to say, on very deep issues, with just enough humor and insight to make it anything but a chore to read her books. This one is no exception.
dawnmgeoppinger (verified owner) –
Dealing with overwhelm and burnout, this book provided concrete ways to get out of survival mode and shift into a different frame of mind.
german (verified owner) –
A good follow up to this author’s book Trauma Stewardship. If you haven’t read that one, I would start there. I did feel at first that getting through this read would be just another thing on my to-do list but it didn’t feel that way at all. Recommend.
M Bartel (verified owner) –
This book covers a timely topic. Like others who have reviewed this book, the specific advice and examples may be more or less helpful or accurate depending on the reader. I liked the use of jokes interspersed throughout the book to break up the text though some of the jokes are funnier than others.
lchscdp1 (verified owner) –
Such a great read! As someone who works in a field with folks who experience trauma and continuous stress it can be easy to absorb that energy and feel super overwhelmed by it.
Director (verified owner) –
This definitely gave me a lot to think about.
Mersinok (verified owner) –
I am someone who tends toward overwhelm and anxiety. This book was a helpful reminder that, we’re all in a state of overwhelm, and what can be done to mitigate feelings of overwhelm.
[email protected] (verified owner) –
Wonderful, insightful book that explains and helps us ease our stress and anxiety in a culture that fuels it.
aileahd (verified owner) –
I had a hard time getting into this one. I saved it to try again later, as I do really want to read it.
yesimajensen (verified owner) –
A great and thought provoking read.
nnppnn (verified owner) –
Such an amazing book! I’ve never heard of it until I read it from this program. Highly recommend!
Wrayyth (verified owner) –
Ever had that story hit you deep in your core as the thing you wanted yourself to know but never had the words? These are the words for my soul.
JenEnna (verified owner) –
A very validating and eye opening read book. I even sent some of the data points regarding the stress of college students to our college Freshman, in hopes that it would validate their feelings. I did enjoy the mixture of cartoons in with the heavy content.
Levi Branson (verified owner) –
Good read. Some of the information was generic, but had some good information and ideas for those who may not know how to deal with stress and overwhelm.
Elizabeth Otten (verified owner) –
Great book! Incredibly insightful and helpful. Will be sharing with my teenagers so they can connect with ways to deal with overwhelm as they hit big milestones in life
jan (verified owner) –
This one really made me think. I can use a lot of these strategies and share it with others.
jessicatull (verified owner) –
As you reading this book, you will find yourself Unconsciously bring your own experiences memories into the reading. I cried so hard while I was into the charters.
Giselle Naranjo-Nelson (verified owner) –
Provided great and insightful considerations
Billy Grounds (verified owner) –
Great read! I would recommend this to anyone who wants an easy read with lots of insight on everyday challenges.
JaimeHock (verified owner) –
This is such a perfect topic for life for so many right now. I especially appreciated the ability to pick and choose what I wanted to read and prioritize to maximize my available time, since sitting down with a book is challenging to carve time out for. The sections on the challenges of media exposure and the benefits of time in nature or with animals or simply experience the awe of the world around us were especially helpful and provided validation for me. The humor throughout adds much needed levity and is worth the read alone.
Margarita Z (verified owner) –
Good reference book. I enjoyed reading the stories of the people’s experiences who were involved. Lots of advice.
Vicky Lopez Sanchez (verified owner) –
Great read about not just surviving but thriving.
[email protected] (verified owner) –
I found this book helpful in bringing awareness to what’s important in todays loud-info-filled existence.
Amber (verified owner) –
Fast and helpful read!
Keegan Gardner (verified owner) –
I found this book to be just okay especially compared to Trauma Stewardship. It was a fast read and I appreciated the reminders to set intentions and take care of yourself through mindful practices such as less screen time, meditating and tuning into yourself.
keysha (verified owner) –
This was a great easy to read sef help guide, great when your feeling stuck in life
Maria Pfeifer (verified owner) –
I was hesitant to start this book, but once I just let myself follow the author’s thoughts, I didn’t want to stop reading and exploring. For me, reading it felt more like a conversation covering some day-to-day experiences that are relatable with considerations that can really make a difference in helping get through the rough patches. This is the kind of book that you not only read, but you let it sink in to open up some doors, widows, walls or any other type of barrier, and take a moment to breathe.
Allison Whisenhunt (verified owner) –
This book was very validating and made great points about why so many of us are struggling. This would be a great resource for those who haven’t really delved into this topic and ways to mitigate the overwhelm – for those who have been heavily involved in research and providing interventions for others in the state of overwhelm, it was not new information, though it is always helpful to read about different ways to articulate aspects of this issue.
Stephanie.annsummers.davis (verified owner) –
I’m excited to read this book. As a working parent, struggling to make ends meet, I’m understandably overwhelmed. I hope this book will help give me tools to cope.
Chels (verified owner) –
Great!
Kelsey Taylor (verified owner) –
Very valuable information. A good read for anyone!
Katie Sesepasara (verified owner) –
Insightful book with decent advice on navigating difficult situations and feelings. This acts as another tool to use and not some single magic pill to solve complex issues, but it’s worth the read.
Comm Action Head Start Disability Specialist Jodie Kainoa (verified owner) –
Great reflection.
Lindsay (verified owner) –
Great Book.
TayM (verified owner) –
A great read, very helpful!
Lilia Ornelas (verified owner) –
It was a really good read! Definitely recommend it.
Lynda Grounds (verified owner) –
I expected more of this book
Sonja Daniels (verified owner) –
insightful, inspiring for young readers
MegJewell14 (verified owner) –
It was helpful, but a little generic.
koalajoe1 (verified owner) –
I really appreciated the advice in this book on how to recognize overwhelm and strategies to diffuse or prevent it.
Blibertad (verified owner) –
A read that’s even more timely than when it was written in 2018. Highly recommend along with the author’s other book, Trauma Stewardship.
Shonna Edwards (verified owner) –
What a compassionate and insightful guide for anyone who might be feeling the weight of modern life. I thoroughly enjoyed
The practical tools and profound wisdom and how it it offers hope and strategies for navigating stress, trauma, and burnout while honoring the complexities of our emotional lives. This book is a must-read for those seeking balance, resilience, and meaningful ways to care for themselves and others.
Anne Bernard (verified owner) –
Helpful book and useful tips and reminders.
McKenzie Martin (verified owner) –
As a 23-year-old woman juggling a full-time job and attending school, finding time for relaxation feels like a luxury. The idea of picking up yet another self-help book felt somewhat redundant, even though I’ve always been an avid reader. However, when I stumbled upon “The Age of Overwhelm” by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, the title seemed to speak directly to my chaotic life. It was as if this book had been especially written for those of us who find ourselves caught in the relentless whirlwind of daily responsibilities and societal expectations.
From the moment I started reading, I could sense that Lipsky understands the modern predicament of feeling like an overwhelmed hamster on a wheel. Her approach was refreshingly different from the typical self-help narrative. Instead of offering an unrealistic ten-step plan to transform my life, she presented a heartfelt exploration of the challenges we face and offered gentle, practical guidance on navigating life’s inevitable chaos. She uniquely combines empathy and evidence-based strategies to help manage the feeling of being constantly overwhelmed—a feeling I’ve become too familiar with.
Lipsky’s discussion on setting boundaries, understanding trauma, and prioritizing self-care resonated on a personal level. It felt almost validating to recognize that I’m not alone in feeling burnt out and that these feelings are indeed manageable. Her empathetic tone and practical advice encouraged me to take small but meaningful steps towards finding a semblance of balance in my life.
In many ways, “The Age of Overwhelm” prompted me to rethink how I perceive productivity and success. It guided me to acknowledge the importance of mental health and self-compassion, something that often takes a backseat in my busy schedule. This book wasn’t just another generic guide but a sincere companion, offering solace and wisdom to navigate our complex lives.
In essence, Laura van Dernoot Lipsky managed to create a space of understanding and encouragement that I didn’t know I was looking for. While I may not have been a fan of self-help books before, this one challenged my preconceived notions and provided comfort in a way that feels genuinely helpful. It serves as a reminder that amidst the chaos, I’m allowed to pause, breathe, and find moments of peace and that realization alone feels like a significant step forward.
Courtney McHill (verified owner) –
This book was a wonderful book to relate to and gain strategies from.
Robyn Immoos (verified owner) –
This is a good book for just starting into the journey of an overwhelming life. Alot of the information was generic but could be very helpful for a person just starting to self-reflection and make changes in their life.
Megansevall (verified owner) –
Great second read from this author. Relevant to human services and people work.
stormiautumn (verified owner) –
Helpful and a good place to start but more specific content would be great.
Kenzie Kihs (verified owner) –
Interesting read. Makes you rethink your own patterns and experiences.
ThisbeMaple (verified owner) –
I love this author. This is a really accessible book that balances important information without requiring a large commitment.
Jillanagoble (verified owner) –
I appreciated the concept of not taking in more news than you can digest and process and move through your body–a timely message! And the New Yorker cartoons were a great addition to the words on the page.
laurarod9 (verified owner) –
Amazing strategies for everyone.
Eden Rygh (verified owner) –
This is a wonderful book with great advice. It is a good place to start when you want to learn more about being proactive and adjusting priorities, but it may not go into much depth in some areas. Highly recommend!!
Natalee Rothstein (verified owner) –
Great book!
Debra Dreiling (verified owner) –
Interesting topic and point of view
msalazar (verified owner) –
I would recommend this book!
Soclairsnyder (verified owner) –
This book had me feeling overwhelmed at the beginning, but as I continued reading, I ended up sharing details with many family and friends and it gave me a new lens as to how we can support ourselves and each other.
Aurora De La Torre (verified owner) –
Awesome 🙂
Jess_Note (verified owner) –
A very relevant book with practical advice.
hfysty (verified owner) –
A reminder to slow down and engage to the best of our abilities in a world that prizes everything but this. Consumable for young people, but also valid for “grown-ups.”
“Sometimes our ability to be present is, literally, all we have.”-Laura van Dernoot Lipsky.
Nicole Edwards (verified owner) –
Wonderful read; compelling!
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