What do you think?
Rate this book
Unbuttoning: Undo Overthinking, Loosen Perfectionism, and Breathe Again. A High-Achiever's Guide to Embracing Imperfection and Building Mind-Body Resilience
"An actionable approach for perfectionists looking to lead less stressful and more fulfilling lives."
-Kirkus Reviews (October, 2025)
From the outside, you’re thriving. On the inside, you’re barely breathing.
This is the high-achiever’s silent reality. As Kirkus Review states, “Welcome to the high-achiever’s dilemma—the paradox of being outwardly successful yet inwardly exhausted, mentally drained, and constantly chasing the ever-moving finish line.”
If you are quietly battling overthinking, perfectionism, and emotional fatigue beneath your success, UNBUTTONING is your essential guide. The book is hailed by Kirkus Reviews as an actionable approach for perfectionists looking to lead less stressful and more fulfilling lives.
The highly motivated individual can appear to have everything figured out, but as therapist Ross Taosaka explains, this cohort faces a mountain of hidden struggles their peers don’t perceive.
Your sensible guide to unwinding internal Ross Taosaka, JD, LMT, brings a deeply informed and compassionate perspective shaped by his diverse work as a litigator, social worker, Aikido practitioner, and licensed massage therapist. Drawing from years of experience across high-pressure fields, he offers readers a way to unwind the internal tension without losing your edge.
UNBUTTONING helps you confront the why behind harmful thought processes and outlines clear, practical techniques to combat stress. The text is intentionally "graspable for any reader" ( Kirkus Reviews ), focusing on simple tools for calming your nervous system and loosening the grip of self-criticism. Each chapter includes the essential “Ease Into It” sections, which provide soft, sustainable actions that let you make real change without adding pressure to your plate.
This isn’t a book about doing more; it’s about unlearning what no longer serves you and finally returning to the centered, capable version of yourself that’s been there all along.
As Taosaka reminds his “You don’t need to be fearless. You need to be willing.”
Find out what happens when a lifetime of conformity unravels in a single, unbuttoned moment.
Get your copy now.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"If you’ve ever found yourself caught up in perfectionism or overthinking, I’d definitely recommend this book. It gave me a new perspective on how these habits can really take an emotional toll and weigh you down. I loved all the practical strategies, exercises, and opportunities for reflection. The advice is shared in a friendly, approachable way, and I know I’ll be coming back to it whenever I need a reminder to let go and breathe a little easier."
Megan, September 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Unbuttoning ... is a thoughtful and practical guide for high-achievers struggling with overthinking and perfectionism. The book explores the hidden costs of constant pressure while offering tools to build resilience and embrace imperfection. Taosaka blends relatable insights with actionable strategies ... provides clear steps toward healthier patterns.
-Kirkus Reviews (October, 2025)
From the outside, you’re thriving. On the inside, you’re barely breathing.
This is the high-achiever’s silent reality. As Kirkus Review states, “Welcome to the high-achiever’s dilemma—the paradox of being outwardly successful yet inwardly exhausted, mentally drained, and constantly chasing the ever-moving finish line.”
If you are quietly battling overthinking, perfectionism, and emotional fatigue beneath your success, UNBUTTONING is your essential guide. The book is hailed by Kirkus Reviews as an actionable approach for perfectionists looking to lead less stressful and more fulfilling lives.
The highly motivated individual can appear to have everything figured out, but as therapist Ross Taosaka explains, this cohort faces a mountain of hidden struggles their peers don’t perceive.
Your sensible guide to unwinding internal Ross Taosaka, JD, LMT, brings a deeply informed and compassionate perspective shaped by his diverse work as a litigator, social worker, Aikido practitioner, and licensed massage therapist. Drawing from years of experience across high-pressure fields, he offers readers a way to unwind the internal tension without losing your edge.
UNBUTTONING helps you confront the why behind harmful thought processes and outlines clear, practical techniques to combat stress. The text is intentionally "graspable for any reader" ( Kirkus Reviews ), focusing on simple tools for calming your nervous system and loosening the grip of self-criticism. Each chapter includes the essential “Ease Into It” sections, which provide soft, sustainable actions that let you make real change without adding pressure to your plate.
This isn’t a book about doing more; it’s about unlearning what no longer serves you and finally returning to the centered, capable version of yourself that’s been there all along.
As Taosaka reminds his “You don’t need to be fearless. You need to be willing.”
Find out what happens when a lifetime of conformity unravels in a single, unbuttoned moment.
Get your copy now.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"If you’ve ever found yourself caught up in perfectionism or overthinking, I’d definitely recommend this book. It gave me a new perspective on how these habits can really take an emotional toll and weigh you down. I loved all the practical strategies, exercises, and opportunities for reflection. The advice is shared in a friendly, approachable way, and I know I’ll be coming back to it whenever I need a reminder to let go and breathe a little easier."
Megan, September 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Unbuttoning ... is a thoughtful and practical guide for high-achievers struggling with overthinking and perfectionism. The book explores the hidden costs of constant pressure while offering tools to build resilience and embrace imperfection. Taosaka blends relatable insights with actionable strategies ... provides clear steps toward healthier patterns.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2025
11 people are currently reading
1902 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 21, 2025
I won this book on Goodreads (Kindle version) for an honest review.
This is a very helpful look at resetting your brain. Many of us these days try so hard to achieve perfection and or try to appear that we are perfect that we often get to a state where we can barely breath, think, and or just be. We cause physical ailments in ourselves anywhere from chewed down fingernails to sickness. This book gives good instruction on how to reset that thinking and come back to a place where we can function in a less than perfect world. This guide tells us it is okay to join the thought of imperfection and still be okay. To many this may seem scary but this book makes the transition easy and teaches us that we don't need to be perfect in everything we do and or even think. In resetting our brains we can struggle less and even maybe overcome the physical ailments we have put ourselves in. This is a good guide and if you believe you are one of these A types you should really read it.
This is a very helpful look at resetting your brain. Many of us these days try so hard to achieve perfection and or try to appear that we are perfect that we often get to a state where we can barely breath, think, and or just be. We cause physical ailments in ourselves anywhere from chewed down fingernails to sickness. This book gives good instruction on how to reset that thinking and come back to a place where we can function in a less than perfect world. This guide tells us it is okay to join the thought of imperfection and still be okay. To many this may seem scary but this book makes the transition easy and teaches us that we don't need to be perfect in everything we do and or even think. In resetting our brains we can struggle less and even maybe overcome the physical ailments we have put ourselves in. This is a good guide and if you believe you are one of these A types you should really read it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review