Women Who Work Too Much

by Tamu Thomas

Women can have it all, but do we really want it? This book shows women how to escape the trap of toxic productivity, build boundaries, avoid burnout, and live with joy.

We have been conditioned into believing our value is in what we do rather than who we are. Do you find yourself saying “yes” because you were never taught how to say “no”? Are you working all hours of the day, but not feeling good about your achievements amplifying your perceived mistakes or weaknesses? Many of us believe that to be our best selves we should do more, but the result is often stress, burnout, and disillusionment. This book offers a healing hand to help you step out of the same old patterns of using success or overworking as a source of self-validation.

For women, work doesn’t stop in the workplace. There is a huge load at home that still falls to women—whether looking after children, caring for aging parents, or simply taking the reins of running the household. This is a book for women who work too much. It is for women who are ready to hear the wake-up call coming from coming from their frazzled nervous system, from that sense of underlying anxiety they have learnt to normalize over the years, and from an inner knowing that—just maybe—it doesn’t have to be this way.

Women Who Work Too Much will help you


This book is a manifesto for change and a call to inaction .

Women Who Work Too Much will support you to establish healthier boundaries, stop over-committing, and move into a feeling of safety so that you can thrive, prosper, and flourish.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Workplace, Personal Development

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2024

Reviews

[Fauzia Shereen-Saggar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am slightly disappointed in 'Women Who Work Too Much,' despite its practical advice on harnessing productivity and maintaining self-care amidst busy schedules. The book emphasises the societal threats in a capitalist world against women who prioritise their well-being, which is a valid and crucial point. However, it falls short by focusing primarily on common-sense aspects rather than delving deeper into the nuanced consequences specific to diverse women in the corporate world. Several messages felt jumbled, deviating from the main intention of some chapters and reducing their impact.

The book could have explored how relentless work schedules shape perceptions of money, success, and self-worth, perhaps particularly for first-generation, diverse females working in corporate as a focus audience. Addressing psychological impacts more in-depth such as imposter syndrome, burnout, and societal expectations would have provided a more comprehensive understanding. Further addressing toxic productivity—identifying what it is, why it occurs, and how to combat it—would be beneficial for diverse women who feel compelled to constantly meet their to-do lists. Despite its valuable advice, a deeper examination of these issues, with a clearer focus, rather than high-level would have enriched the narrative, making it resonate more broadly in addition to superseding the patriarchal norms that diverse females are challenged with generally.

[Bethan Hubbard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I desperately wanted this to be good, but unfortunately it failed to go any deeper than surface level on capitalist productivity culture or how it intersects with misogyny.

It made the occasional interesting point, but at most parts it felt like I was begging for it to dive deeper. If you've spent any time in any anti-capitalist and/or women's spaces, you will have already encountered anything talked about in this book on a much deeper level.

Overall it's a very basic level of criticism of capitalist systems but I wouldn't even call it introductory as it often fails to explain where it's coming from.

The end result is a fairly generic women's self help book 'reskinned' with critique of capitalist productivity culture.

I'm sure this book, and it's reminders that we're all "made of stardust" would be helpful to some, and in doing so is not meritless, however it does not live up to the potential that the concept offers.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book which is well written. Great information and advice for dealing with boundaries, burnout and taking up WELL DESERVED space in this male orientated world. As an independent store owner I cannot wait to order copies to sell within my store. Five stars- well done. An amazing guide to allow us to implement what we need and deserve; to claim everything we want in life.

[Vanessa Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received my proof copy last week and I read it in two sittings.

The introduction was so moving, I felt it in my core. I had never considered how our conditioning impacts our bodies and how we feel.

I felt seen throughout the book especially as a Black woman. The nervous system pieces gave me a new perspective and allowed me to connect with my body on a deeper level.

The joy practices were so simple yet effective I’m going to try and keep them up as it made me realise that joy doesn’t have to be a big fanfare.

I can’t wait to create my manifesto!

Thank you for writing such an important book!

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I need to read right now! Thank you, Tamu.
I'd like to go back and dig deeper into some of the exercises and invitations.
This book is a compassionate, confronting and caring invitation to shed productivity narratives which are so ingrained in our cultures and bodies.
Tamu recognises that some of these stories can be parts of our identities that we cling onto, and it's not an easy process to let them go.
So the somatic and nervous system elements feel really important.
I appreciated the love notes at the start of each chapter.
It centres women and particularly Black women who bear the weight of historical behaviours being repeated and continued racism, disrespect, underestimation etc in society and particularly the corporate world.
I'm grateful that Tamu brought in her own lived experiences as a Black woman. Why wouldn't she!?
The book is still powerful and relevant to all women...♡

[Jennifer Tingey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could not finish this book. This is not a book about women who work too much (because they feel compelled to in order to be taken seriously, be treated somewhat fairly, etc.) and learning self care. This book is about a woman's opinion of how our white, patriarchal society has contributed to the health issues and strife of the black woman. I agree about our society being patriarchal, and predominately white, but don't think that white women have it all that better. We all have issues, and women, in general, have to work harder to prove what we already know - that we are beyond capable, extremely talented and intelligent, driven, ambitious, and vital to society. It doesn't matter what our color is, we're women, and that makes us less. I wanted to finish this book, but every time the words "woman of color" was uttered, I'd grit my teeth. Will color ever be a non-issue?

[Abigail Yardimci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far one of the most moving and change-making books I’ve ever read. It’s not often a self-help book so effortlessly walks the line between head and heart, earth and sky, legend and fact, soul and logic. I identified with the themes of toxic positivity way more than I wanted to but nevertheless felt held, nurtured, supported and understood by the author throughout. Everything written in this book comes from lived experience as well as hardcore research and offers healing on a radical level. I’m taking that offering with all of my heart and also recommending this book to virtually every woman I know. Thank you, Tamu!

[On the Same Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to start off by saying that I'm glad this book exists, and that it's important to learn more about toxic productivity and the impact on women. I listened to this on audio, and if you're someone who gets value out of the type of mental exercises the author goes through, I'd recommend getting both the audiobook and the ebook/physical book. Personally, these types of exercises don't work for my brain. I was hoping this book would focus more on actionable steps to take that aren't all related to one's relationship to oneself, but that wasn't the case.

[Y Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is the game changer we all need for truly living lives that are meaningful and that flourish. Less hustle, grind and striving and more fulfillment, peace, health and striding.

Thank you Tamu for this gem. These words are good for the body, mind and soul and I am loving this book so far!

[Erica Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read and you can keep coming back to it to re-evaluate your boundaries. I like that there are embodiment practices throughout that help you reflect on how the thought of rest influences your physical being. I love that this tells us we don't have to constantly grind and push ourselves beyond what we feel. Going on my shelf for future reference.

[Laura Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVED this book! I resonated so strongly with the messages the whole way through and have definitely been guilty of toxic productivity many times in my life. I'm glad to be on the journey of recovery now but I would recommend this book to anyone who is feeling just a wee bit frazzled and wants to learn how to love themselves again 🤍

[Kelly Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re waiting for a reason to read this… don’t! We as women have been programmed to fit into the patriarchal system. This book will help you follow your gut & understand why we need boundaries! I absolutely loved it!

[Avalon Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking, wholesome, realistic, honest and relatable, just a mere handful of words used to describe this book by Tamu Thomas. Highly recommended, especially in the current day and age we live in!!!! Changing the narrative is a must. Thank you Tamu.

[Hannah Bullivant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it once and then went back to sections again and again, the sort of book that sinks in in layers. Such important reading for women. The sections on our nervous systems and natural productivity have been very eye opening. Life changing actually.

[Sharon Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that made me realise how much ‘over’ work I was blindly doing. This book should be compulsory reading for us all!!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very written book with top tips for “Women who work too much”, filled with great advice and insights that can be utilised be everyone. Recommend highly!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revelatory.

[LaQuetta Glaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

The purpose of this book is to assist women on their journey to escape "toxic productivity, build boundaries, avoid burnout, and live with joy." One of the resonating points of this book was a reminder to know that my value does not lie in what I do, but the value lies in who I am. Our best or highest self is not tied to how much we do or how much we have done. Tamu asks the deep accountability questions that make you say, "ouch." Questions that point out the lack of love and self care such as "When was the last time you delighted in your own existence?" versus "When was the last time you delighted in the company of those you care?" These questions require you to question if you've been pouring out of an empty cup and perhaps suggests the amount that is in your cup right now. This book gave me a lot to think about and made me reconsider some boundaries as well as how I approach said boundaries. Excellent read. I read the physical and audible versions of this book. Highly recommend.

[Zia · Rating 5 out of 5]

truly transformational book, suitable for everyone to read. instead of being like a basic self help book, this author is truly raw and allows her readers to engage in a personal reading as well as an educational one. would 100% recommend!

[Nicola Rae-Wickham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Passionate, powerful and practical. A galvanising call for both inward reflection and a drive towards collective change. It’s a movement! From the cultural commentary to scientific teaching and personal story all interlinked with actionable prompts.

Tamu is uniquely skilled in speaking to what it means to be a working woman in the modern world. She then expertly addresses the nuanced experience of being a black woman and the thoughtful insights, true-to-life references and smile-inducing shout-outs are a deep acknowledgment which says I see and understand you.

A beautiful and all-encompassing body of work, in this book, Tamu takes us to school helping us to make sense of our experience, embraces us with a warm tight hug and gives us what we need to reclaim our work and therefore reclaim our lives.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a lot of decent stuff in here and I like how the author focuses a lot on how capitalism has ground us down to where we believe only our output is worth something. A lot of the advice is about doing the basics and practicing a lot of breathing but given I’m the kind of person who needs to be reminded of that at least four times a week, I’ll take it.

[Selina Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I opened this book and began reading, I felt a huge sigh of relief. Tamu gets what it is to be trapped in a cycle of productivity and with love, compassion and powerful guidance, shows us how we can set ourselves free and finally create realistic lives in which we can thrive.