RSVPing yes to an event even though you don't want to go; feeling drained responding to text messages; networking with colleagues that you can't stand. You need to hear that it's okay not to get along with everyone.
We live in an era of constant communication and obligation - messages, calls, meet-ups, events - and sometimes it's just too much. The No.1 bestselling author and illustrator Dancing Snail explores the necessity of maintaining a healthy distance in relationships, prioritising your needs and surrounding yourself with people you are comfortable with. Whether it's learning to say no, embracing solitude without guilt or focusing on personal wellbeing over pleasing others, this book serves as a guide for those seeking balance in their everyday interactions. Written in short-form chapters and with delightful illustrations, It's Okay Not to Get Along with Everyone is a must-read for anyone looking to cultivate healthier and more fulfilling connections in their lives.
I came across this new release book by chance and I fell for it there and then!
I picked up the book without thinking twice and I love it when such picks turn out to be absolute favs!
The book I am taking about is “It’s Okay Not To Get Along With Everyone” by @dancing.snail
Pick up this book when you need to rest/relax; when you need some reassurance and some self care in all aspects of your life or simply when you feel overwhelmed. This book will do a lot for you.
The illustrations are subtle, cosy and cute. I will say the translation is perfect!
A perfect book to keep with you and yes, it’s a perfect book to gift to someone you care. Amazing book! Will help you discard whatever you really do not need in your life.
Relatable and real: she writes in a way that feels so personal and compassionate making you feel seen and welcome in this crazy world, trying to share with us some hard-won wisdom from her own experiences. The kind of book you keep re-reading because through the different phases of your life you might find yourself in the need of a reminder, her gentle advice to be be patient with yourself through the good and the bad times, share our hearts with the people around us in any way that feels right to us. To you whatever feels reals, is true and there is love in trying to understand and offering each other the space to be ourselves and listening to our feelings without rationalizing them. I can summarize this book with one sentence but I have learned so much more from her, such an enjoyable reading, cozy like a warm winter night, pure like the shared connection with another human being: it's okay not to get along with everyone, but people need people. I strongly recommend reading this in order to find more peace and fufillment in our relationships, especially our relationship with ourselves.
The lovely illustrations interspersed with small excerpts of text made this a breezy yet helpful and engaging read. The author discusses healthy boundaries and relationships, solitude and loneliness, and plenty of other topics that left me thinking.
Much needed and definitely a book I'll come back to.
✨ "Love and intimacy don't give you permission to say or do whatever you want. No freedom - however personal - should come at the cost of hurting others."
This illustrated Korean non-fiction bestseller follows Dancing Snail’s own journey through burnout, social fatigue and the quiet work of rebuilding a healthier relationship with herself. Through short comics, reflections and gentle humour, she unpacks the pressures of always being “on,” the guilt of cancelling plans, and the liberation of recognising that not every connection needs to be nurtured and that’s okay.
As someone juggling a busy corporate role, fitness goals and hobbies that already fill my limited free time, I found so many moments in this book deeply relatable. It felt like a soft reminder that my energy is finite, and choosing rest or solitude isn’t selfish it’s necessary.
If you’re craving something comforting, validating and honest about the messiness of modern life, this little book is worth it.
It was beautifully made - I liked the colour scheme and design, and the illustrations were adorable.
I think it is best suited to a young person feeling a little lost in life, who hasn’t really been in a serious relationship or who finds it hard to make friends. It offered reassurance that it’s ok to feel anxious.
It does kind of say the same thing over and over for the whole book though - I feel it was a little repetitive.
Dancing Snail is the same illustrator who draws for I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki. This time she writes and draws, but still within the similar themes of self-love, loneliness and social relationship. Her illustrations and colour scheme are simple but eye catching and appealing.
Her proses are quite subtle that you can interpret it in your own ways and probably isn’t what the author intends to. It seems like an insight of the author’s self consolation, rather than a self-help book. though in some parts, it can be relatable especially if you’re a single introvert person.
Worth noting is how in some earlier pages, she writes/draws about the things we love about someone can be the reasons we hate them when we are no longer in a relationship. It reminds me of 500 Days of Summer. And when she mentions the movie in a later chapter, it just clicks.
Apart from the illustrations, I don’t think I can say much about the writing as the main reason enticing me to the book was merely the outer appearance.
This book is a relatable and comforting self-help book that feels like a gentle conversation with a big sister. The book reminds readers that it is okay to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure, especially in a world where we are often expected to please everyone.
What I love most about this book is how it shows different perspectives on life, relationships, and emotions. It talks about anxiety in a very honest and gentle way, which made me feel understood and less alone. The author does not pressure the reader to “fix” themselves, but instead encourages self-acceptance and emotional comfort.
This book is a very comfy read. The tone is calm, soft, and reassuring, making it perfect for moments when you feel tired or emotionally drained. It teaches readers how to be comfortable in different situations, especially when dealing with people, expectations, and personal struggles.
All in all, this book is motivational without being overwhelming. It reminds us that we do not need to get along with everyone to be okay, and that alone is already healing.
Dancing Snail delivers yet another gentle, insightful, and emotionally honest book that feels like a deep breath on a chaotic day. It’s OK Not to Get Along With Everyone explores the quiet discomfort of relationships, boundaries, and mismatched energies — all through Dancing Snail’s signature blend of humour, vulnerability, and soft illustrations.
What I loved most is how the book normalises conflict and distance without villainising anyone. It reminds you that you’re allowed to honour your feelings, step back without guilt, and still hold compassion for both sides. The simplicity of the text hides a lot of emotional maturity — every page feels like a tiny self-hug.
Some sections felt brief, and I wanted a little more depth, but that’s also the charm: it’s a book you can finish in one sitting and keep returning to whenever you feel misunderstood or overwhelmed.
A comforting, affirming read — especially for sensitive souls and anyone navigating tricky relationships.
Right from the title, I knew this book had something important to say. It’s Okay Not to Get Along with Everyone is a gentle yet powerful reminder that boundaries are not selfish, they are necessary. Through simple words and thoughtful illustrations, Dancing Snail encourages us to choose ourselves, our peace, and our well-being, even when it comes to the people we love the most. Because sometimes, love is not enough. This book speaks about the quiet magic that happens when we step back from constantly adjusting for others, and begin prioritizing our inner world. It reminds us that protecting our emotional space is just as important as caring for relationships. In a world that often glorifies over-giving, this book feels like permission to pause, breathe, and come back home to yourself.
When I first saw this book at the bookstore, the cover caught my attention right away. After flipping through it, I felt it would be a comforting read for someone like me who tends to be a people pleaser.
The book is very lightweight and easy to read, offering gentle reassurance without feeling overwhelming. The illustrations are really cute and add to its charm. However, while the advice is kind and soothing, it didn’t feel very impactful for me as the messages are quite general and repetitive.
Overall, it’s a nice, comforting read for beginners or anyone needing gentle reminders but it may feel a bit surface-level if you’re looking for deeper insights.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is sort of an wellness advice / self-help book, but it’s not pushy or preachey at all. To me, what I love about this book is that the author was sharing her own personal experiences throughout the book, so it felt more like a memoir most of the time. And nearly all pages have cute illustrations by the author (I loooove!), not very wordy, so I finished it one day!
If you ever feel the pressure to maintain relationships you don’t want or no longer right for you but don’t know what to do about it, this is a good book to read and get an idea of how to set the boundaries.
This book was nothing like what I was envisioning it to be, in the BEST way possible.
It truly feels like a breath of fresh air. A key point that you take from this novel is that you’re allowed to make a decision because it makes sense to you and you alone. This isn’t an overly detailed book but it’s overall message stands out strongly despite that.
This story is truly beautiful and I’ve loved getting the opportunity to read it. Thank you to Bonnier Books and Blink Publishing for my review copy of this book!
Buku ini kategori buku healing. Kenapa kan den terjebak baca padahal den rasa den dan genre healing ala-ala terpleot😅.
Buku yang santai tentang hubungan dalam kehidupan terutamanya persahabatan, rakan sekerja dan percintaan.
Bab love story yang dikisahkan mengingatkan den kepada scene dalam SATC Samantha cakap dengan Smith 'I love you but I love myself more'.
Bersederhana. Berlapang dada. Ngak apa-apa menjadi diri sendiri. Kita tentukan apa yang terbaik untuk diri sendiri. Seumpama begitu pesanan di dalam buku ini.
If my personality and adulthood life was a book, this would be it.
I know where and when I have to start boundaries with people. I always told to myself, it's okay if you can't get along with everyone as long as you're happy, relaxed and stay true to who you are; don't force yourself into a group / environment you don't belong to💎❤️🩹
What I really liked about this book is how gentle it is. It doesn’t tell you to change yourself or force positivity. It just reminds you that it’s okay to have boundaries and that not everyone has to like you (which is something I def needed to hear tbh). It’s the kind of book you can read in one sitting or open to a random page when you’re feeling tired or overwhelmed. IMO, it’s a nice book to keep around for bad days.
Found the synopsis misleading, but didn't want to leave it as DNF. So, here I am. No rating simply because I think I am not the intended target audience. Felt like it would have been a more enlightening read for me in my early 20s but it was too little and too late for current me.