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Stop Avoiding Stuff: 25 Microskills to Face Your Fears and Do It Anyway
Afraid? Do it anyway! The 25 microskills in this little book will help you stand up to your fears, so you can live the life you really want. To fear is to be human. But fear can also keep us stuck living lives that are stale, stagnant, or downright miserable. Fear leads us down paths that feel more safe, but that deep down we know are wrong for us. The good news is that you can stand up to your fears and change your life for the better. If you’re ready to stop avoiding stuff and say yes to opportunity, the easy-to-implement strategies in this book will help you break the avoidance habits that have been keeping you in a rut. Drawing on evidence-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), this accessible guide offers 25 microskills to help you face your fears so you can live a truly courageous and meaningful life. With this book, you’ll We are hardwired to avoid, control, and escape the stuff that makes us uncomfortable. But if you’re ready to stop living scared, the tips and tools in this little book will help you pivot back to what really matters to you.
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2020
100 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 11, 2020
This book has several things going for it. First of all, it’s a very easy read. At no time does it feel heavy or difficult to understand. It’s very straightforward and simple. Secondly, it’s full of micro-skills to help people keep a clear mind, which is especially needed by many during these difficult times (Covid-19). Thirdly, the strategies in Stop Avoiding Stuff are easy to incorporate into every day living. I found this book useful for my business and I’m betting many individuals will find it useful too.
October 23, 2020
I should have read the subtitle of this book more carefully, as it wasn't at all the kind of book I thought I was requesting. I really need to work on learning how to stop avoiding stuff in the everyday sense, like housework or yoga that I put off because I'd rather be writing, playing with my kids, working in the garden, reading books, etc. This is more about how to stop avoiding things like spending time with your ailing parent, leaving a bad relationship or standing up for yourself.
For that purpose, it's a pretty good book. It focuses a lot on things like mindfulness and paying attention to how you feel. It's written by three different authors and that gets confusing, as they put their names in parentheses as they talk ("I (Jen) had this problem with this client..."). I didn't find the book particularly useful for my own deep issues that I avoid, but I already practice mindfulness and my mother was a psychologist so none of this is really new to me. Still, it's a short and encouraging book for those who want to do the self inventory of 25 little exercises to help you get in touch with your feelings and start changing your behavior to better help yourself.
I read a digital ARC of this book for review.
For that purpose, it's a pretty good book. It focuses a lot on things like mindfulness and paying attention to how you feel. It's written by three different authors and that gets confusing, as they put their names in parentheses as they talk ("I (Jen) had this problem with this client..."). I didn't find the book particularly useful for my own deep issues that I avoid, but I already practice mindfulness and my mother was a psychologist so none of this is really new to me. Still, it's a short and encouraging book for those who want to do the self inventory of 25 little exercises to help you get in touch with your feelings and start changing your behavior to better help yourself.
I read a digital ARC of this book for review.
February 10, 2024
2.5-3 starts
Thoroughly confused on my thoughts with this one… bit of a mixed bag! Read on to find out why.
Perhaps I am just more inclined to enjoy content that really delves into the nitty gritty science and psychology behind topics such as the ones explored in this book. I felt like this was dumbed down to a significant degree, commonly featuring colloquial language including “stuff”, “sucky” “cool” and “dude” that, for some reason, immediately turned me off. Given that the authors are high achieving professionals in the mental health field, this was surprising to me. I am guessing this was simply done to build rapport and broaden comprehension of the book’s ideas and its applicability to the audience, but this was not for me-and that's ok. The personal stories told by the authors of their experiences were relatable but seemed strangely misfit, almost like I was reading diary entries rather than an educational or self-help piece.
I found the initial ‘microskill’ parts on mindfulness and noticing thoughts to be a little repetitive as the same ideas seemed to reoccur and feature under other microskill headings throughout. While some microskills were engaging and interesting, others simply went over my head. The overall structure was a little difficult to follow with several subheadings and sectioned parts in which I couldn't always identify the relevance to the microskills that fell under each.
What was interesting to me:
More academic-style writing and content exploring the theories that underpin our evaluations and attitudes was more noticeable in the latter microskill sections, compared to those earlier on. Similarly, references to studies and research were more notably scattered among the second half of the book, but were scarce nonetheless. It almost seemed like the book was split into two, each part written in a different style and by a different person…although I guess this lack of consistency is probably a reflection of/understandable given that it was composed by three individuals, each with their own ideas and ways of expressing them.
I did think that the practice components placed at the end of every microskill were extremely useful. They talked the reader through all necessary steps in a concise manner that could be followed at home and repeatedly encouraged mindful self-reflection. For that same reason, I took most away from the last two microskills in particular, as the layout of clearly listed rules was easy to follow and presented information that was helpful to consider. I enjoyed the bouts of humour throughout and have to agree that it was an easy read as was highlighted in the introduction- a good condensation of the topic that didn’t drag on.
Albeit a bit confusing to follow I do think the book can be a great resource for those looking for ways to change avoidance behaviours! In that sense, it did achieve its purpose very well, providing guidance in understanding and managing the fears we so often experience in our lives.
Thank you to Netgalley and New Harbinger Publications for the opportunity to view and enjoy this ARC.
Thoroughly confused on my thoughts with this one… bit of a mixed bag! Read on to find out why.
Perhaps I am just more inclined to enjoy content that really delves into the nitty gritty science and psychology behind topics such as the ones explored in this book. I felt like this was dumbed down to a significant degree, commonly featuring colloquial language including “stuff”, “sucky” “cool” and “dude” that, for some reason, immediately turned me off. Given that the authors are high achieving professionals in the mental health field, this was surprising to me. I am guessing this was simply done to build rapport and broaden comprehension of the book’s ideas and its applicability to the audience, but this was not for me-and that's ok. The personal stories told by the authors of their experiences were relatable but seemed strangely misfit, almost like I was reading diary entries rather than an educational or self-help piece.
I found the initial ‘microskill’ parts on mindfulness and noticing thoughts to be a little repetitive as the same ideas seemed to reoccur and feature under other microskill headings throughout. While some microskills were engaging and interesting, others simply went over my head. The overall structure was a little difficult to follow with several subheadings and sectioned parts in which I couldn't always identify the relevance to the microskills that fell under each.
What was interesting to me:
More academic-style writing and content exploring the theories that underpin our evaluations and attitudes was more noticeable in the latter microskill sections, compared to those earlier on. Similarly, references to studies and research were more notably scattered among the second half of the book, but were scarce nonetheless. It almost seemed like the book was split into two, each part written in a different style and by a different person…although I guess this lack of consistency is probably a reflection of/understandable given that it was composed by three individuals, each with their own ideas and ways of expressing them.
I did think that the practice components placed at the end of every microskill were extremely useful. They talked the reader through all necessary steps in a concise manner that could be followed at home and repeatedly encouraged mindful self-reflection. For that same reason, I took most away from the last two microskills in particular, as the layout of clearly listed rules was easy to follow and presented information that was helpful to consider. I enjoyed the bouts of humour throughout and have to agree that it was an easy read as was highlighted in the introduction- a good condensation of the topic that didn’t drag on.
Albeit a bit confusing to follow I do think the book can be a great resource for those looking for ways to change avoidance behaviours! In that sense, it did achieve its purpose very well, providing guidance in understanding and managing the fears we so often experience in our lives.
Thank you to Netgalley and New Harbinger Publications for the opportunity to view and enjoy this ARC.
January 3, 2023
Well, I didn't avoid reading it. That's a start.
November 27, 2020
This was a delightfully easy book to read. The three authors made it feel more personable and based on life experiences they share. The purpose of the book caught me immediately as I know how easy it is to avoid some goals that I want to accomplish but am not confident I am up to achieving them. They delve into those fears we place on our path to goals with simple, direct, and meaningful microskills that one can take. Each step moves you through those self imposed barriers. I highly recommend a read and then using the microskills to free yourself to achieve life goals you want but haven’t moved toward. The authors are well grounded in helping people reach lives they want and in this small book they welcome you in clearly, warmly and simply.
January 22, 2021
Overall, I really liked the small and actionable tips and practices included in this book. Suitable for everyone who isn't interested much in the science behind those practices, and instead wants to dive right into actually DOING something.
I imagine that this book could also be helpful for clinicians, counselors etc. You could use the microskills in this book as homework for clients.
I imagine that this book could also be helpful for clinicians, counselors etc. You could use the microskills in this book as homework for clients.
September 29, 2020
I read this book for work, it's another iteration of the many ACT books that are out there (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). I still think "The Happiness Trap" is the best ACT book to be had, but I did like the format of this book, little "micro-skills" that you can practice one at a time. Helpful if you just have a few minutes or too much info at once is overwhelming.
March 30, 2023
This book was weirdly good. Almost frustratingly so, but only because it was better than I expected it to be. Very understandable, walks you through a lot of things.
March 8, 2025
Good advice. Most of the information is quite helpful. The fact that the book was written by many authors is a bit confusing sometimes.
September 24, 2020
Like most people I know, I’m an expert on avoiding things that make me uncomfortable: every day, I put off ringing my mother, who has dementia, because the phone calls are so upsetting. I’m aware that my avoidance of these calls is having a really negative effect on my life and is not helping me or my mother.
So it was very useful to have a specific problem in mind when reading this book, as I could work my way through the exercises, or ‘Micro Skills’, and gain insight into why I avoid the calls, how I can stop avoiding them, and how I can prevent them from casting a shadow over every evening.
What I hadn’t realised, before reading this book, is that we practise avoidance because it works; it saves us from facing up to uncomfortable situations. Yet avoidance only gives us a temporary reprieve. We think we’re in control of the problem, but the problem isn’t going away. The time we spend avoiding things is time wasted; time which could be spent actively pursuing a better life.
I could see the logic in this argument; I waste hours every day trying to ignore the internal voice telling me to make the phone call, wrestling with my uncomfortable feelings and trying to suppress them. The advice here is not to fight your feelings and emotions but to observe yourself feeling them and to remember that emotions, thoughts and physiological sensations are information. We do not need to be afraid of them.
There are several really valuable lessons to be learned from the exercises. I like the concept of ‘willingness’: allowing what can’t be changed to ‘just be’. The technique which involves writing multiple stories about every situation is really empowering, enabling us to let go of our negative interpretation of situations and move on. Similarly, tacking on ‘I don’t know’ to every thought enables us to think more flexibly about our problems. The idea of ‘workable’ and ‘unworkable’ thoughts is also incredibly helpful.
I have to say that my enjoyment of the book was affected by the rather crass expressions such as ‘trippy’, ‘sucky’ or ‘squeezy’, which seemed out of place. I also felt that the style was inconsistent and occasionally confusing - presumably as there were three authors. Rather than putting the authors’ names in brackets after the anecdotes, I would have preferred to see each author taking it in turns to write sections of the book. Some of the anecdotes weren’t useful or relevant - avoiding kissing a girl? Inappropriate surely?
Overall, this book proved to be full of great advice and provided me with several techniques which have helped me to understand and deal with my own problem with avoidance.
#StopAvoidingStuff #NetGalley
So it was very useful to have a specific problem in mind when reading this book, as I could work my way through the exercises, or ‘Micro Skills’, and gain insight into why I avoid the calls, how I can stop avoiding them, and how I can prevent them from casting a shadow over every evening.
What I hadn’t realised, before reading this book, is that we practise avoidance because it works; it saves us from facing up to uncomfortable situations. Yet avoidance only gives us a temporary reprieve. We think we’re in control of the problem, but the problem isn’t going away. The time we spend avoiding things is time wasted; time which could be spent actively pursuing a better life.
I could see the logic in this argument; I waste hours every day trying to ignore the internal voice telling me to make the phone call, wrestling with my uncomfortable feelings and trying to suppress them. The advice here is not to fight your feelings and emotions but to observe yourself feeling them and to remember that emotions, thoughts and physiological sensations are information. We do not need to be afraid of them.
There are several really valuable lessons to be learned from the exercises. I like the concept of ‘willingness’: allowing what can’t be changed to ‘just be’. The technique which involves writing multiple stories about every situation is really empowering, enabling us to let go of our negative interpretation of situations and move on. Similarly, tacking on ‘I don’t know’ to every thought enables us to think more flexibly about our problems. The idea of ‘workable’ and ‘unworkable’ thoughts is also incredibly helpful.
I have to say that my enjoyment of the book was affected by the rather crass expressions such as ‘trippy’, ‘sucky’ or ‘squeezy’, which seemed out of place. I also felt that the style was inconsistent and occasionally confusing - presumably as there were three authors. Rather than putting the authors’ names in brackets after the anecdotes, I would have preferred to see each author taking it in turns to write sections of the book. Some of the anecdotes weren’t useful or relevant - avoiding kissing a girl? Inappropriate surely?
Overall, this book proved to be full of great advice and provided me with several techniques which have helped me to understand and deal with my own problem with avoidance.
#StopAvoidingStuff #NetGalley
June 3, 2025
Good content but poorly organized and, relatedly, redundant
September 8, 2020
Stop Avoiding Stuff, by Matthew S. Boone, Jennifer Gregg, and Lisa W. Coyne, is based on acceptance and commitment therapy. It teaches microskills that you can use as alternatives to avoidance, and suggests teeny tiny practices.
The book starts off by talking about what avoidance is and why we do it. It doesn’t chastise you for avoiding, and acknowledges that you do it because it accomplished a purpose at some point and helped you to gain a bit of control. However, the avoidance and control can get in the way of actually living.
Mindfulness is approached with the same kind of realistic attitude. “If you do an image search on your favorite search engine, you’ll get a bazillion pictures of beautiful people sitting in the lotus position, looking blissful and serene. Those images don’t always square with people’s lived experience of mindfulness.” Sounds about right!
I liked the authors’ approach to emotions. They explain that “emotions are information, not enemies.” The problem is that we tend to respond to them as if they’re literal threats, and avoid based on the fear of potential emotions. The book talks about how to work through the different parts of an emotion to help isolate it from all the other crap we tend to pile on. The approach is to feel it rather than fight or feed it.
Willingness is presented as an openness to whatever shows up. It’s neither wanting nor controlling/avoiding. It’s about taking actions, even though they’re uncomfortable, that will contribute to the life that you want to live. Strategies are offered to help with actually doing that.
The book also talks about evaluating thoughts not in terms of good or bad, but in terms of workability, and how it��s actually serving you.
Other topics include what we can and can’t control (for instance, we can’t control our immediate thoughts and feelings), the self-stories that we create, gratitude, and thinking traps (cognitive distortions).
The book has short chapters, which are further broken up into section, making it impaired concentration-friendly. The book is written in a casual, friendly tone that’s not therapist speak-ish, and everything is framed in very real world terms. I thought this book did a really good job of tackling the topic of avoidance.
I received a reviewer copy from the publisher through Netgalley.
The book starts off by talking about what avoidance is and why we do it. It doesn’t chastise you for avoiding, and acknowledges that you do it because it accomplished a purpose at some point and helped you to gain a bit of control. However, the avoidance and control can get in the way of actually living.
Mindfulness is approached with the same kind of realistic attitude. “If you do an image search on your favorite search engine, you’ll get a bazillion pictures of beautiful people sitting in the lotus position, looking blissful and serene. Those images don’t always square with people’s lived experience of mindfulness.” Sounds about right!
I liked the authors’ approach to emotions. They explain that “emotions are information, not enemies.” The problem is that we tend to respond to them as if they’re literal threats, and avoid based on the fear of potential emotions. The book talks about how to work through the different parts of an emotion to help isolate it from all the other crap we tend to pile on. The approach is to feel it rather than fight or feed it.
Willingness is presented as an openness to whatever shows up. It’s neither wanting nor controlling/avoiding. It’s about taking actions, even though they’re uncomfortable, that will contribute to the life that you want to live. Strategies are offered to help with actually doing that.
The book also talks about evaluating thoughts not in terms of good or bad, but in terms of workability, and how it��s actually serving you.
Other topics include what we can and can’t control (for instance, we can’t control our immediate thoughts and feelings), the self-stories that we create, gratitude, and thinking traps (cognitive distortions).
The book has short chapters, which are further broken up into section, making it impaired concentration-friendly. The book is written in a casual, friendly tone that’s not therapist speak-ish, and everything is framed in very real world terms. I thought this book did a really good job of tackling the topic of avoidance.
I received a reviewer copy from the publisher through Netgalley.
September 6, 2020
2/5 stars!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
There are a lot of tips in this book, but it is sadly not for me. Determining the helpfulness of these tips is subjective to the reader though. The book didn't meet my expectations and I was disappointed since I kinda knew already the basics of how to stop avoiding stuff which is what this book contains. Maybe it's my fault for expecting a different and more straight-to-the-point content than what the book delivered.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
There are a lot of tips in this book, but it is sadly not for me. Determining the helpfulness of these tips is subjective to the reader though. The book didn't meet my expectations and I was disappointed since I kinda knew already the basics of how to stop avoiding stuff which is what this book contains. Maybe it's my fault for expecting a different and more straight-to-the-point content than what the book delivered.
May 18, 2024
So if you are human and live in our western world of too much information (and too much of everything), I'm sure you are like the rest of us and occasionally find yourself stuck in a rut, desperately wanting to lose weight, stay in touch with the old people in our lives, pay off your credit cards, and simply do the things we all know we need to do. This book addresses it all in a delightfully concise and straight-to-the-point self-help book that will have you laughing, nodding in agreement, and most importantly, taking action.
The 3 Authors have managed to condense the wonderful wisdom of much longer and occasionally erudite tomes into a mere 90 minutes of reading. That's right, you can absorb the essence of folks like Brené Brown and Daniel Kahneman's works in less time than it takes to watch a movie!
But don't let the brevity fool you. Stop Avoiding Stuff: 25 Microskills to Face Your Fears and Do It Anyway is packed with 25 powerful axioms based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Experiential Approach to Behavior Change or ACT, the latest upgrade to Cognitive Behavior Therapy. These nuggets of wisdom will help you understand why you self-sabotage and provide you with the tools to break free from your self-limiting patterns.
Whether you're an avid reader of self-help books or someone who has been living under a rock (no judgment here), this book is for you. The authors have managed to distill the core concepts of ACT into a format that is accessible, engaging, and dare I say, even entertaining!
So, if you're ready to stop avoiding stuff and start living your best life, pick up a copy of "Stop Avoiding Stuff." It may be a short read, but its impact may last a lifetime, especially if you don't ordinarily consume this kind of book. If you are already on top of the subject matter - this reprise doesn't hurt reading at all, and I tip my hat to the authors who made a book who could be useful for both audiences.
Worst case scenario : you can always use it as a coaster for your coffee mug while you continue to procrastinate. But for many of us, it's a hard book to dismiss or put down once you've begun reading it.
The 3 Authors have managed to condense the wonderful wisdom of much longer and occasionally erudite tomes into a mere 90 minutes of reading. That's right, you can absorb the essence of folks like Brené Brown and Daniel Kahneman's works in less time than it takes to watch a movie!
But don't let the brevity fool you. Stop Avoiding Stuff: 25 Microskills to Face Your Fears and Do It Anyway is packed with 25 powerful axioms based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Experiential Approach to Behavior Change or ACT, the latest upgrade to Cognitive Behavior Therapy. These nuggets of wisdom will help you understand why you self-sabotage and provide you with the tools to break free from your self-limiting patterns.
Whether you're an avid reader of self-help books or someone who has been living under a rock (no judgment here), this book is for you. The authors have managed to distill the core concepts of ACT into a format that is accessible, engaging, and dare I say, even entertaining!
So, if you're ready to stop avoiding stuff and start living your best life, pick up a copy of "Stop Avoiding Stuff." It may be a short read, but its impact may last a lifetime, especially if you don't ordinarily consume this kind of book. If you are already on top of the subject matter - this reprise doesn't hurt reading at all, and I tip my hat to the authors who made a book who could be useful for both audiences.
Worst case scenario : you can always use it as a coaster for your coffee mug while you continue to procrastinate. But for many of us, it's a hard book to dismiss or put down once you've begun reading it.
April 1, 2021
This well written, easy to read book offers strategies on how to stop avoiding uncomfortable things. What it doesn't do effectively, in my opinion, is explain *why* you should stop avoiding uncomfortable things. Avoiding uncomfortable things seems like an important life skill. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that it's been one of the primary goals of my life. I do things I enjoy, and I don't do things I don't enjoy. Why is that a problem?
Growth requires leaving your comfort zone, and leaving your comfort zone requires essential pain. It requires trying new things that you're not necessarily skilled at. Avoiding discomfort means avoiding growth.
But maybe, legitimately, you're not seeking growth in a particular area. If the discomfort of the situation seems to exceed the potential enjoyment offered by it, then why not avoid the situation? For instance, some people are home bodies. If they don't want to go out and party, that's okay.
So, overall, while I think the authors offer good strategies, they didn't spend enough time talking about when you should use them. They talked about how avoiding things that bother you can actually make you feel worse, and sometimes that's true. But sometimes it's an incredible relief to let go of things that aren't serving you. If you're avoiding something, maybe it's because that thing is not for you.
If you feel like you've got a good handle on where you need to work on yourself, then this book is a good choice. You might end up consulting it over and over again as you work on different areas. If you need advice on how to determine what to keep and what to let go of, then that's beyond the scope of this book.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Growth requires leaving your comfort zone, and leaving your comfort zone requires essential pain. It requires trying new things that you're not necessarily skilled at. Avoiding discomfort means avoiding growth.
But maybe, legitimately, you're not seeking growth in a particular area. If the discomfort of the situation seems to exceed the potential enjoyment offered by it, then why not avoid the situation? For instance, some people are home bodies. If they don't want to go out and party, that's okay.
So, overall, while I think the authors offer good strategies, they didn't spend enough time talking about when you should use them. They talked about how avoiding things that bother you can actually make you feel worse, and sometimes that's true. But sometimes it's an incredible relief to let go of things that aren't serving you. If you're avoiding something, maybe it's because that thing is not for you.
If you feel like you've got a good handle on where you need to work on yourself, then this book is a good choice. You might end up consulting it over and over again as you work on different areas. If you need advice on how to determine what to keep and what to let go of, then that's beyond the scope of this book.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
October 29, 2021
I'll admit that I already had a negativity bias toward a book subtitled "25 Microskills To Face Your Fears and Do It Anyway," but I was hoping my potentially reductive view would be contradicted in meaningful, useful content. I did mine a helpful nugget here and there, like "Feel your feelings without running away" and "Make values a verb." But even the useful strategy of recognizing "workable" vs. "unworkable" thoughts was framed by such an awkward and circuitous definition that many readers may miss the point entirely. And, the worst advice in the entire book brings me back to my initial impression. By the time the author triad of two PhDs and a licensed social worker recommend, "If fear is encouraging you to run away, run toward instead," I was vindicated. True courage rests in acknowledging fear, asking yourself what you're afraid of and why - and then making a choice from a place of awareness and authenticity that is best for you. It's NOT ignoring gut instinct and rushing forward toward something every fiber of your being is saying is wrong for you. And any mental health professional with integrity would know better than to counsel otherwise. I recommend avoiding this book, there are much healthier alternatives for people struggling with avoidance issues and feeling stuck.
I received a digital pre-publication copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a digital pre-publication copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2022
3.5/5
(First I have to say, I just need/want self-help/psychology/non-fiction authors to stop repeatedly telling me to use meditation throughout their writing, and maybe that will make me love these books more)
This was, however, another quicker-paced self-help book that gave me information that I believe is useful. This one I don't feel as though I would need to keep around and I can just kind of take some of this in and wrote down some notes on mindfulness and some of the "micro-skills" the authors gave throughout the book to help me through what I truly wanted to gain from picking up this book.
(First I have to say, I just need/want self-help/psychology/non-fiction authors to stop repeatedly telling me to use meditation throughout their writing, and maybe that will make me love these books more)
This was, however, another quicker-paced self-help book that gave me information that I believe is useful. This one I don't feel as though I would need to keep around and I can just kind of take some of this in and wrote down some notes on mindfulness and some of the "micro-skills" the authors gave throughout the book to help me through what I truly wanted to gain from picking up this book.
September 8, 2020
I don't know anyone these days who couldn't use some help from this book! I know I do.
We tend to procrastinate or simply put things off altogether when we're overwhelmed, feeling fear, out of control, san, anxious, and yes, about everything else. Our minds want to shut down and tune out so that we can cope but what we ignore often comes back to haunt us in different ways.
I thought this book was so helpful in combating everyday stresses and overcoming those thoughts that keep us from living our best lives and being our best selves.
We tend to procrastinate or simply put things off altogether when we're overwhelmed, feeling fear, out of control, san, anxious, and yes, about everything else. Our minds want to shut down and tune out so that we can cope but what we ignore often comes back to haunt us in different ways.
I thought this book was so helpful in combating everyday stresses and overcoming those thoughts that keep us from living our best lives and being our best selves.
August 28, 2020
Stop Avoiding Stuff by Matthew S. Boone, Jennifer Gregg and Lisa W. Coyne. Teeny Tiny Practices? Microskills? Seemed quite complex and involved to implement. Had difficulty in separating the strategies from the personal examples. While well written, with many examples, and a touch of humor, the book just didn't strike the right cord for me. Hopefully it can help others.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
September 2, 2020
#StopAvoidingStuff #NetGalley
Thanks NetGalley, New Harbinger Publications, Inc. and Matthew & Jennifer for an ARC to review.
I have read many similar books before, I mean I am familiar with the contents; however I really enjoyed reading this book. I happened to practice the micro skills presented in the book while reading it and it actually helped. It left me feeling good.
I highly recommend it.
Thanks NetGalley, New Harbinger Publications, Inc. and Matthew & Jennifer for an ARC to review.
I have read many similar books before, I mean I am familiar with the contents; however I really enjoyed reading this book. I happened to practice the micro skills presented in the book while reading it and it actually helped. It left me feeling good.
I highly recommend it.
November 2, 2020
This book begins by discussing why we avoid stuff, and then delves into how to stop avoiding stuff. It’s a useful book with good information about how to avoid stuff and overcome one’s fears. This book allows the reader to pace themselves as they go through it, which allows the reader time to absorb the information and learn how to apply it. I would recommend this book to any reader.
* I was provided a free copy of this book via the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
* I was provided a free copy of this book via the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2025
This quick-to-read book offers readers tips and strategies to live their values without letting thoughts and feelings derail their efforts. Negative mind chatter regularly interferes with most of us moving forward towards the lives we want to live. Each chapter here has relatable examples, and readers are encouraged to improve their ability to "face fears and do it anyway" through microskills and practice exercises. The authors employ a breezy, gentle, accessible tone throughout.
October 24, 2020
This book gives the appearance and description as a self-help book. I guess to some it will be that for them. But, this is a book about mindfulness disguised as a self-help book. I was disappointed with each new section/microstep because they were all just different ways to discuss mindfulness. Every step is the same thing just worded differently.
October 25, 2020
This book gives a lot of good advice on how to deal with avoidance as a coping mechanism to deal with the things we don't want to think about, or take care of. It's got a lot of tips related to mindfulness too, so if you've been meaning to try that but haven't managed to start yet, this is the book for you !
Overall, an enjoyable and interesting read, and a good self-help book.
Overall, an enjoyable and interesting read, and a good self-help book.
June 16, 2022
A fantastic quick guide using largely ACT, a bit of CBT, and, compassion techniques. It's the perfect pocket guide and if you're someone who finds it hard to get through psychology books this might be a good fit for you. It's all technique and no filler yet it isn't dry or boring. I borrowed it from my local library but I will be picking up a copy for personal use and future reference.
January 24, 2024
Легко и простенько написанная, очень короткая и весьма доходчивая соляночка повседневных пратик совладания со страхами, многие из которых базируются на Терапии принятия и ответственности (Acceptance and commitment therapy). Я долго избегала эту книгу, но теперь понимаю, что это было зря! Очень советую всем перепуганным по жизни зайчикам-побегайчикам и "злостным" уклонистам от всего!
October 26, 2020
I enjoyed this book and found it really useful from a personal point of view. I found there were lots of great tips which have helped me already.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
February 22, 2025
This book is written in such a welcoming, no-nonsense manner. There bite-size action steps are doable. I’d definitely recommend this as a book to skim over for the gist, but then work through slowly for the actual application. I’ll definitely be recommending this for clients.
May 14, 2025
I like the layout, but some of these micro skills explanations feel a little stretched and hard to remember on the fly. Others are well crafted and useful. Good length of chapters. Some repetition but nice that it ties concepts used throughout.
October 16, 2020
A lot of good advice in the book. Examines the reasons for avoidance, and how it relates to anxiety. Some good examples given too
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