There’s something about the seasons shifting that freaks my body out. This could be for many reasons, namely that my joints are finicky and the the pressure changes in the air mess with both them and my head. But, whatever it is, I’m succumbing to the siren song of either my couch or my chaise, and spending many a hour wrapped up in a cozy blanket doing literally anything other than what I’m supposed to be doing.
Perhaps I should be taking this as a sign that I should be doing less, but modern capitalism waits for no (wo)man, and I have a problem with not being productive so here we are. Oh, you think I’m enjoying my couch sitting time? No, I’m sitting there being anxious about everything I’m not doing. But I’m ~warm and cozy~ while I panic.
So ahead, all of the books on productivity in my apartment, because of course, I own multiple but haven’t read them all yet.
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
Written by twin sisters Emily and Amelia Nagoski, Burnout was released in 2020, which in terms of timing, hey, was prescient. A friend recommended this to me when I was having a rough go of it at the Very Large Tech Company™️ where I worked at the time. I ended up leaving the big tech company (only to return nearly 2 years later, but that’s neither here nor there), and so I figured I didn’t need this any more. Once I changed environment, presto changeo! Burnout is gone. This is, frankly, a silly little idea burrowed in my head with no basis in fact. I really should read it because of exhibit A: me, above, trying to relax and being unable to.
This book also specifically focuses on the experience of burnout in women, and includes practical tips for how to regulate our stress cycles in our bodies. It was a New York Times Bestseller, and continues to do well. This is also known as: my friend was right and I should get a move on.Holy American Burnout! is a multi genre book by Sean Enfield. The cover says ‘essays,’ but it also includes cultural critique and memoir from his own experiences as a teacher and student in Texas. Holy American Burnout! also looks at how burnout impacts Black and Bi-racial people. This is important, because as most health agencies and studies now acknowledge, health outcomes for Black people in the United States are often poorer than for other races and ethnic groups, and it follows that the experience of burnout would be different, too.
I’ll be honest that I haven’t read this one yet is because it seems Academic with a capital A. I’m not against that by any means - but I have not had the mental capacity to absorb this lately. I like books that weave together themes from different genres and life experiences, and this definitely fits the bill. Maybe once I’m done reading about how to regulate my stress cycle, I’ll read about how burnout impacts others.How to Stay Productive When the World is Ending
Subtitled: Productivity, Burnout and Why Everyone Needs to Relax More Except You, this satire book is produced by Reductress1, an online news source à la the Onion, which has absolute bangers of headlines, including the one below:
Now this book I have read. My brother got it for me as a gift for my birthday last year. It is truly unhinged, and utterly delightful. Absolutely worthy of Chaotic Reader endorsement. As the title implies, it is advice for surviving the impending collapse of society when your dedication to capitalism is the most important thing in your life. Also, Reductress has merch based on their insane headlines and made my absolutely favorite hat:
I’m going to be honest - I’m surprised I don’t have more books on productivity, even if this list is mostly burnout related. Maybe I’ll learn a thing or two, or maybe I’ll continue to think I’m the worst person alive for not being productive 24/7.
Their tagline is Women’s News. Feminized. 10/10.