What I learned about My Year of Rest and Relaxation (contains spoilers)

The end there was really true. I have read the book only about halfway and the only reason i did it because i thought "My year of rest and relaxation sounds like a dream come true". The i started reading and i thought "man, i feel exactly like she does". Which isnt a good thing, I'm highly depressed, but if there is one thing most people with depression experience i would guess its wanting to just be free from everything that stresses you out, free from everything that you HAVE to do. Because depression and responsibilities are a horrible combination. You cant do something and so you feel an immense amount of guilt and shame and it just grows bigger with each day that goes by. Reading the book made me feel weirdly calm. But in some ways, it made me sad, maybe even more depressed, because I knew i couldnt do what she did. I knew there was absolutely no way of getting away from my responsibilities. No way i wouldnt have to open a letter I'm scared to open for a year, or stop working for a year, or not have to go to any appointements. In a way, the book was heartbreaking

I'm so glad this video was recommended to me today. That's exactly how I feel. It was just so good to know that there are people out there having similar worries and experiences. Among my friends and family I feel so lonely and misunderstood. Now this book is in my TBR list. Thank you!!

Love this video and the book! I’d like to add to the shame point, a sense of failure. I feel shameful because I feel like I’ve “failed” - even though I didn’t fail! I made the decision to take time off, and I’m so glad I did! I didn’t realise HOW burnt out and disconnected I was. Now I feel like I finally have a soul again. I am enjoying life again. I have hobbies and interests again. I have fun, I laugh, I LOVE, I cry. I spend time with my family again. My worth is not tied to my boss.

I absolutely love this! Thanks for sharing the book and your experience. I too am in my 4th! year of rest and relaxation. I worked in radio as well for many years. I quit my job due to extreme burnout. But I didn't have enough money saved to float so things turned really scary for a little while but I was determined NOT to go backwards. I was rescued ultimately by my faith. I had to put in practice my deep trust and belief in a Higher Power to take care of me. And it did and does so to this day. I do not get up and go to anybody's job. I sleep as long as I need. I eat super healthy foods, practice yoga daily, paint, play, spend time with wonderful people. I live in a cute apartment which serves as my art studio AND All my bills are paid. God does it all baby! The Creator's word is true. I began to seek the Kingdom of Heaven FIRST and all THINGS were added unto me. Blessings. Love your channel.

I personally also vividly remember how much I wanted to quit due to anxiety, and being burnt out and depressed, and when I took small week vacations each time it was like nothing. I really envied other coworkers who quit due to burning out, but I just....couldn't do it. I only dreamed of quitting and resting for a year, and did that for a long time, and only some time ago I realised that I would be just laying on the floor same way as I did when the war in my country started, and I spent my time like amoeba for a few months due to anxiety. Realised work was actually keeping me sane (what a surprise) Now that I feel much much better, and have much better work-life balance, I still anticipate to do something like this in the future, but I'm totally content to do it when I actually want it, not because I desperately "think" I need it. Thank you for the video, the book kinda described what I realised back then, that in reality no "vacation" will help depressed mind without real help. Best of luck in the upcoming year!

i love these clips of you reading the quotes! your room is such a vibe

Really reminded me of "quiet-quitting" variation when you work for some time, and then quit, I think it was also popularised by youth in China, to work for a period of time, earn money and then quit to relax and do your hobbies. What still surprises me is just how much anything related to these tendencies is demonized, so much articles, even the word quiet-quitting, is literally doing your job without overworking, and somehow it's also bad (or at least sounds like this). Quite scary how we ended up here. Props to you, so great you were able to spend a whole year like this! This is still a small dream of mine^^

im so happy i came across this video bc i work in media and ive been hustling for so many yrs and i made the decision to finally take a year of rest and relaxation in the next month or so. im so scared if im being honest but i know in the long run im doing the right thing, but its frightening to put everything ive worked hard for on pause. ive learned sm from this and am reassured that im on the right path.

Thank you for explaining this book. I watched someone else talk about this book and you could tell they had no empathy for the characters’ depression (even going as far as calling the main character immoral, which, admittedly, could be about something else I don’t know about because I didn’t read the book, but it still kind of rubbed me the wrong way). I think I can relate a lot to the main character, because I’ve been depressed and I’ve also been made to feel guilty for simply resting (something all bodies need to be healthy). Our society is so focused on productivity that “rest” and “relaxation” are dirty words. It’s honestly so sad. If you’re enjoying your time, it’s time well spent. Sounds like the bad reviews are from people who are jealous of her ability to rest, and that says a lot about the state of our world. All people should be able to feel rested. It’s a shame that is not the world we live in. But quite literally it is, “in your dreams.” Think about it.

I searched for a good a review of this book, you delivered 💯: so honest, relatable, truthful… thank you. Now algorithm 👎, this channel better pop up into my FYP.

I really loved this format of video and of course the topic! You got yourself a new subscriber!

Really love the books you choose to review, they are very applicable, as someone who took a work break I will definately pick up this book

This was my childhood before I cured my chronic illness. It still happens to me sometimes if I get sick (recently from mold poisoning).

I hope you post more book reviews! I love your take on this. ❤

I randomly picked this one up at the Strand and I ended up liking it. The main character reminds me of the MC from Russian Doll.

Great charming voice

There’s so much i wanna say but let’s just… thank you!

Dankje voor je content🥰 deze video was voor mij ook heel fijn nu ik in m’n tussenjaar zit:) welke boeken waren je faves voor in dat jaar? Xx

Ik kende hem nog niet, bedankt voor de tip! Voor iemand die al een paar jaar in een burnout zit, heel herkenbaar helaas. Btw, is er wel een goede Engelse variant van ´burnout´ als ziek zijn? Want in het Engels klinkt het toch vaak lichter.

Thanks for this review! I am 50% through and drawn to the story but am having a hard time with the casual racism. I’m curious how and if that’s affected other readers.