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A Year of Nothing: As heard on BBC Woman’s Hour
Foreword by JULIA CAMERON, author of THE ARTIST'S WAY
After years of writing about work, wellness and productivity, Emma Gannon hit a chronic burnout left her unable to get out of bed. Something had to change.
A Year of Nothing follows Emma's quiet rebellion against the cult of doing. Over four seasons, she steps away from the noise and rediscovers joy in life's simplest pleasures, from dog borrowing and dopamine dressing to relearning how to swim and embracing a child-free life.
This is a gentle, hopeful guide to what happens when you stop trying to fix everything and choose to feel instead.
After years of writing about work, wellness and productivity, Emma Gannon hit a chronic burnout left her unable to get out of bed. Something had to change.
A Year of Nothing follows Emma's quiet rebellion against the cult of doing. Over four seasons, she steps away from the noise and rediscovers joy in life's simplest pleasures, from dog borrowing and dopamine dressing to relearning how to swim and embracing a child-free life.
This is a gentle, hopeful guide to what happens when you stop trying to fix everything and choose to feel instead.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2026
About the author
Emma Gannon
17 books706 followersEmma Gannon is the Sunday Times bestselling author of eight books, including ‘A Year of Nothing‘ and ‘Olive’, her debut novel, which was nominated for the Dublin Literary Award. Her second novel, ‘Table for One’, published in 2025 with HarperCollins. Emma also runs the popular Substack newsletter, ‘The Hyphen’, which has thousands of paid subscribers. She also hosts creativity retreats all over the world and was a judge for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
October 22, 2025
This book about the author's 'Year of nothing' after a burnout is split into monthly journal-like sections. I really liked the useful, accessible and practical ideas at the end of each month, from cheerful dressing to readdressing your relationship to alcohol, these were really easy for you to take and try to implement them in your own life. But I wanted to know more about how she couldn't function and the depth of what she was feeling and thinking was lacking. The title for me also doesn't quite fit, as she does an awful lot from expensive retreats, holidays and alternative therapies in her year of nothing. It's also comes from a very privileged position of being able to take a year off work and having lots of financial/family/friend support. While I loved the positive practical elements the depth, truth and honesty in a small book about burnout recovery was missing for you to be able to trust and want to listen to and take her advice. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc for my honest opinion.
February 1, 2026
This chronicles Emma Gannon’s year of burnout in diary entries. Despite liking the writing style, it wasn’t what I hoped for. The writing felt quite surface-level, and I kept wanting more depth and vulnerability in how she explored her emotions. While that may have been an intentional choice to protect her privacy, I didn’t connect with this book in the way I hoped to.
September 30, 2025
The author has written a gorgeous memoir of the year she suffered a breakdown, which she now calls a "breakthrough," and invites us on her journey of recovery. I loved it and so will readers longing for a break from their own too stressful lives. Recommended!
March 7, 2026
I found this very short book about the author's year of recovering after burnout a bit underwhelming and too self-indulgent to be enjoyable or relatable. Sure, burnout is an awful thing to go through, but who is able to take a whole year off, and spend it exploring alternative therapies, writing "letters of unconditional love" to themselves, and spend a week in a luxury spa and hotel in Portugal to rest.... The parts about being anxious and unwell were full of platitudes, and the book could have been a blog.
Free copy sent by Netgalley.
Free copy sent by Netgalley.
February 7, 2026
Such a gentle read on burnout and recovery and the road to finding who you are. I liked the fact that the author mentioned all kind of books in this memoir. Added a lot of titles to my reading stack. Also loved the fact that she writes about the healing aspects of writing, and after every chapter there are some questions to write or journal about yourself.
Here and there I would’ve loved to read a little bit more nuanced or in depth about some of the subjects in the book. While reading the question: “how could it be possible for the average person to take a year off work and do so much traveling and searching as the author did in this novel?” Kept spinning in my mind. I would have loved to read more about that part of the journey.
Here and there I would’ve loved to read a little bit more nuanced or in depth about some of the subjects in the book. While reading the question: “how could it be possible for the average person to take a year off work and do so much traveling and searching as the author did in this novel?” Kept spinning in my mind. I would have loved to read more about that part of the journey.
February 17, 2026
5 stars to Emma Gannon on her survival of burn out - I’m very glad she got through such a challenging period of her life. It’s frustrating that she barely acknowledges her privilege though, for example being both mentally and financially able to go on holidays and to wellness retreats. Of course other people having it worse doesn’t take away from what she went through - I dislike slithering into the direction of suggesting so - but this book would likely sting anyone experiencing the likes of being financially on the brink whilst living through the worst of a mental health condition or being too unwell to leave their house.
Some lovely sentiments and messages throughout the book - I found the swimming chapter and its mentions of her parents particularly sweet. I would have liked the depth of emotion she explored in the likes of Olive and Table for One, two books that made her an author I’ll never skip a release from.
Some lovely sentiments and messages throughout the book - I found the swimming chapter and its mentions of her parents particularly sweet. I would have liked the depth of emotion she explored in the likes of Olive and Table for One, two books that made her an author I’ll never skip a release from.
September 17, 2025
This book was so personal, and that's precisely why it had such a profound effect on me.
More and more often, I came across the idea of finding joy in simple things. A YouTuber I used to watch a lot always said, “Celebrate mundanity.” and I loved that mindset!
I found the book very emotional and also loved the questions for reflection after each month. A definite recommendation.
Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!
More and more often, I came across the idea of finding joy in simple things. A YouTuber I used to watch a lot always said, “Celebrate mundanity.” and I loved that mindset!
I found the book very emotional and also loved the questions for reflection after each month. A definite recommendation.
Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!
April 18, 2026
The author is an incredibly privileged woman with a stable marriage, a job writing, savings, and resources who has a breakdown from the strenuous life of writing and promoting her books. Happily, she is able to take a year off, supported by her partner and family to literally do nothing except rest. And at the end, she has a deal to write a book about it and instruct us on the art of doing nothing.
Snark aside, I wish everyone had the privilege to take a year off when in the midst of a breakdown. But alas, most of us have bills to pay and children to care for. Still, perhaps all of us need to do more resting and resist the urge to hustle.
Snark aside, I wish everyone had the privilege to take a year off when in the midst of a breakdown. But alas, most of us have bills to pay and children to care for. Still, perhaps all of us need to do more resting and resist the urge to hustle.
January 26, 2026
Es hat sie wie einen Schlag getroffen, als plötzlich nichts mehr ging. Direkt nach der Veröffentlichung ihres letzten Buchs konnte Emma Gannon nicht mehr. Der Burnout fesselte sie für ein Jahr ans Bett und obwohl sie wusste, dass er irgendwann vorbei sein würde, beängstigte sie die Vorstellung, dass sie nicht wusste, wann ihr Leben endlich wieder normal verlaufen würde.
Ausgerechnet bei einem Wochenende in einem luxuriösen Hotel mit Freundinnen rief ihr Körper Emma Gannon zur Ordnung. Für sie kam ihr Zusammenbruch unerwartet, nicht so für ihre Freunde und Familie. Die bemerkten sehr wohl, dass Emma immer schmaler wurde, dachten aber dass es mit der Arbeit an dem neuen Buch zusammenhängen würde. Für sie war Emma immer Superwoman, bis sie es dann plötzlich nicht mehr war. Das mag einer der Gründe sein, warum sie so verständnisvoll waren. Auf der anderen Seite ist es aber auch das, was gute Freundschaften ausmacht: dass man in jeder Lebenslage füreinander da ist.
Auch wenn der Burnout ein gravierender Einschnitt in ihrem Leben ist, sieht ihn Emma Gannon auch als Chance. Sie nimmt sich die Zeit, sich zurückzuziehen und auf ihren Körper zu hören. Zu ihrer Heilung gehört auch der Rückzug aus der Öffentlichkeit. Für jemand, zu dessen Beruf es gerade gehört, sich in der Öffentlichkeit zu bewegen, kann es das Ende der Karriere bedeuten. Aber wie auch bei Familie und Freunden kann Emma auf eine Gruppe Menschen zurückgreifen, die hinter ihr stehen und sie auch in dieser Situation nicht im Stich lassen.
Mich hat überrascht, wie reflektiert Emma Gannon über ihren Zusammenbruch schreibt. Es war für sie eine schwere Zeit, aber sie sieht sie auch als Chance. Das Jahr des Nichts, wie sie es nennt, ist kein verschwendetes Jahr. Durch zuerst erzwungene Ruhe nimmt sie Dinge anders war. Plötzlich sieht sie bewusst, worüber sie früher hinweggesehen hat. Sie erlebt die Natur und den Wechsel der Jahreszeiten anders und lässt ihre LeserInnen daran teilhaben. Immer wieder stellt sie kleine Aufgaben und regt zum Nachdenken an. Gerade das hat mir gut gefallen, denn so war die Lektüre keine einseitige Angelegenheit mehr.
Emma Gannon zeigt mit ihrer Geschichte, wie wichtig es ist, dass man auf sich achtgibt. Aber sie zeigt auch, dass in allem eine Chance steckt, man muss sie nur ergreifen
Ausgerechnet bei einem Wochenende in einem luxuriösen Hotel mit Freundinnen rief ihr Körper Emma Gannon zur Ordnung. Für sie kam ihr Zusammenbruch unerwartet, nicht so für ihre Freunde und Familie. Die bemerkten sehr wohl, dass Emma immer schmaler wurde, dachten aber dass es mit der Arbeit an dem neuen Buch zusammenhängen würde. Für sie war Emma immer Superwoman, bis sie es dann plötzlich nicht mehr war. Das mag einer der Gründe sein, warum sie so verständnisvoll waren. Auf der anderen Seite ist es aber auch das, was gute Freundschaften ausmacht: dass man in jeder Lebenslage füreinander da ist.
Auch wenn der Burnout ein gravierender Einschnitt in ihrem Leben ist, sieht ihn Emma Gannon auch als Chance. Sie nimmt sich die Zeit, sich zurückzuziehen und auf ihren Körper zu hören. Zu ihrer Heilung gehört auch der Rückzug aus der Öffentlichkeit. Für jemand, zu dessen Beruf es gerade gehört, sich in der Öffentlichkeit zu bewegen, kann es das Ende der Karriere bedeuten. Aber wie auch bei Familie und Freunden kann Emma auf eine Gruppe Menschen zurückgreifen, die hinter ihr stehen und sie auch in dieser Situation nicht im Stich lassen.
Mich hat überrascht, wie reflektiert Emma Gannon über ihren Zusammenbruch schreibt. Es war für sie eine schwere Zeit, aber sie sieht sie auch als Chance. Das Jahr des Nichts, wie sie es nennt, ist kein verschwendetes Jahr. Durch zuerst erzwungene Ruhe nimmt sie Dinge anders war. Plötzlich sieht sie bewusst, worüber sie früher hinweggesehen hat. Sie erlebt die Natur und den Wechsel der Jahreszeiten anders und lässt ihre LeserInnen daran teilhaben. Immer wieder stellt sie kleine Aufgaben und regt zum Nachdenken an. Gerade das hat mir gut gefallen, denn so war die Lektüre keine einseitige Angelegenheit mehr.
Emma Gannon zeigt mit ihrer Geschichte, wie wichtig es ist, dass man auf sich achtgibt. Aber sie zeigt auch, dass in allem eine Chance steckt, man muss sie nur ergreifen
January 22, 2026
How funny that this book ended up being the one that helped me rediscover the joy of reading a British author. I usually avoid books that lean heavily into despair or emotional heaviness, and yet A Year of Nothing surprised me in the best possible way.
After years of writing about work, wellness, and productivity, Emma Gannon reaches a point of chronic burnout that leaves her unable to keep going as before. While this is a serious and painful experience, she writes about it in a way that feels hopeful, reflective, and quietly positive rather than overwhelming. The tone is gentle and honest, never sensationalised.
I especially appreciated reading about what helped her during this season, as well as what didn’t. She explores a range of ideas and natural or alternative remedies with openness, without turning the book into a prescriptive self-help manual. While I didn’t personally relate to chronic burnout, I deeply related to her desire to slow down — to stop and “smell the roses,” to journal, to travel not for ticking off destinations but simply to notice, see, and enjoy beauty.
The seasonal structure of the book added to its charm, giving it a natural rhythm and a sense of time passing gently rather than urgently. I also enjoyed how Emma weaves in other authors she was reading at the time without it feeling like a long or overwhelming reading list.
There is a light-heartedness throughout — even in something as simple as her sometimes very modest to-do lists — that quietly reminds the reader not to take life, or ourselves, quite so seriously. I also liked the “Over to you” sections at the end of chapters, where she invites the reader to pause and reflect in their own way.
This is a memoir, and I didn’t relate to everything — but it doesn’t need to be universally relatable to be meaningful. A Year of Nothing feels like a comfortable, companionable read: the kind of book best enjoyed in winter, with a cup of tea and a cosy blanket. And who knows — you may find yourself gently inspired to adopt one or two small ideas from it.
One final note I appreciated: unlike many contemporary British books, this one contains very little swearing, which made the reading experience all the more pleasant for me.
A thoughtful, calming, and quietly encouraging book about rest, reflection, and learning to live at a different pace.
After years of writing about work, wellness, and productivity, Emma Gannon reaches a point of chronic burnout that leaves her unable to keep going as before. While this is a serious and painful experience, she writes about it in a way that feels hopeful, reflective, and quietly positive rather than overwhelming. The tone is gentle and honest, never sensationalised.
I especially appreciated reading about what helped her during this season, as well as what didn’t. She explores a range of ideas and natural or alternative remedies with openness, without turning the book into a prescriptive self-help manual. While I didn’t personally relate to chronic burnout, I deeply related to her desire to slow down — to stop and “smell the roses,” to journal, to travel not for ticking off destinations but simply to notice, see, and enjoy beauty.
The seasonal structure of the book added to its charm, giving it a natural rhythm and a sense of time passing gently rather than urgently. I also enjoyed how Emma weaves in other authors she was reading at the time without it feeling like a long or overwhelming reading list.
There is a light-heartedness throughout — even in something as simple as her sometimes very modest to-do lists — that quietly reminds the reader not to take life, or ourselves, quite so seriously. I also liked the “Over to you” sections at the end of chapters, where she invites the reader to pause and reflect in their own way.
This is a memoir, and I didn’t relate to everything — but it doesn’t need to be universally relatable to be meaningful. A Year of Nothing feels like a comfortable, companionable read: the kind of book best enjoyed in winter, with a cup of tea and a cosy blanket. And who knows — you may find yourself gently inspired to adopt one or two small ideas from it.
One final note I appreciated: unlike many contemporary British books, this one contains very little swearing, which made the reading experience all the more pleasant for me.
A thoughtful, calming, and quietly encouraging book about rest, reflection, and learning to live at a different pace.
December 29, 2025
A Year of Nothing is certainly way more than that. This is a life laid bare, a year of self-discovery and breaking from expectations. Luckily the author was able to take time off and go on the kind of retreats others will only be able to dream of, but the lessons learnt are shared in a thoughtful manner. My main take away was that most of the work was internal. The questions that are put to you the reader are there for consideration and to give space.
I really liked this as this took the book beyond a memoir and instead a sharing of learning. The author explains her reasons for calling the memoir A Year of Nothing, which I liked it was about releasing that pressure internally and externally and just being. Hopefully others that read this will find comfort, wisdom and inspiration like I did. Thank by you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
I really liked this as this took the book beyond a memoir and instead a sharing of learning. The author explains her reasons for calling the memoir A Year of Nothing, which I liked it was about releasing that pressure internally and externally and just being. Hopefully others that read this will find comfort, wisdom and inspiration like I did. Thank by you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
Read
March 16, 2026Foreword by Julia Cameron
p13: Suffering from panic attacks and a mysterious leaching of her normally high-powered energies, she marks a date: 22 October 2022. She was plunged into a harrowing period of inertia. She writes, 'Even though we know deep down these periods of life are temporary, it is terrifying not knowing when it will end.'
Updated Author's Note, 2025
p17: You only realise in hindsight that your breakdown was a breakthrough.
p18: 'I'm a big fan of the nervous breakdown as a completely rational response,' Taffy [Brodesser-Akner] said.
A nervous breakdown is a complete rational response! Yes. That landed in my body as truth. Life for many of us, and for very different personal reasons, is a lot. When I look back on this fallow year [...] I do feel a sadness for the time that seems 'lost' – but I also feel a deep and unexpected fondness.
p18: It was a topsy-turvy, bedridden year of being adrift and wandering aimlessly, but I can't help but be grateful for it. Hard-won wisdom. Knowing that life goes on. That we have many mirco and macro deaths of self within one lifetime.
p18–19: One day, she sent me a picture of her sitting at her window, letting the light in; she had herself some sunflowers, placed them in a large vase, and had a paint set and a copy of The Artist's Way. She was finding a way to heal. I see her now, years on, living her life in a sunny European city, seeing how her burnout re-routed her in a beautiful, dramatic way. Fewer spikes, most soft edges. [...] I'm the softest and most ruthless I've ever been. That's how I feel. So much softer, and yet so much more powerful. Softening your edges doesn't mean you lose your spark; it eventually comes back to you.
p19: For so long I had compartmentalised my life, fracturing myself into different versions depending on the person I was with or the environment I was in. I would split myself down the middle between Work Self and Home Self, neer introducing one to the other. When I came out the other side of this, I realised I'd combined all my different selves. They joined forces, they finally pulled up a pew and dined together, they had become friends. For the first time, I felt whole. One joined-together person. Recognised myself in the mirror again. What a relief. It was exhausting to keep so many plates spinning – to be so many versions of myself at once.
Author's Note, 2023
p23: I felt depleted and deflated, angry and upset that I had no energy to work on writing projects that once lit me up. [...] It worried me, this intense lack of capacity and broken feeling in my brain.
Winter
p29: How embarrassing and ungrateful, the voice said, having a mental breakdown at a luxury hotel.
p36: [...] in that moment I felt like things were going to be OK, but only if I could engage with the realities of the world properly and honestly. Only if I really saw the world around me, really saw nature and people and the elements and felt the hot and the cold and the good and the bad. No more shying away from everything. I touched the leaves on a newly sprouting plant that made its way through the snow and felt a small ripple of hope. The assignment was clear: the world was dark at times, but it was also extremely magical, and it was possible to hold both together in one palm.
p37: I started to notice this increasingly urgent desire to be alone. [...] When I thought about the commitments I'd made to my publisher to promote the book, I just wanted to fall asleep right away.
p37: As Einstein reportedly once said: 'The most important decision we made is whether we believe we live in a friendly or a hostile universe.'
p45: We shouldn't need to go away somewhere in order to do nothing, but sometimes it can help. It enables us to shut the door on our life for a bit. It is romanticised too, sold to us all the time. [...] This is how bad we are at the concept of 'doing nothing': it has to be packaged up and sold. Surely switching off can be done anywhere? Surely we don't need to spend money all the time, in order to do nothing?
p47: We've all changed. I notice there are certain things about each other that we no longer understand. I notice that life suddenly got hard. We no longer have carefree nights out to gossip or tell private jokes about boys at school, or share common-room nonchalance. No more obvious commonalities. Our lives got more serious, but the love is still there. But at this point in our lives, we are struggling to be there for each other. Each of us has our own particular brand of discomfort and stress and there is no clear ringleader.
Summer
p75: For many social reasons, it's common to split ourselves into different versions – how we act alone, in groups, one-on-one with friends, with parents, or at work. To some extent, that's just having social skills. But for me, it felt like it had gone too far – I was performing different parts of myself instead of being whole. I wanted to feel centered again, to be one complete self.
p83: There is nothing necessarily 'wrong' with you when you're unable to live your 'best life' or have boundless energy. Sometimes, you are in the in-between. You are on ice, on pause. When we don't know who we are, we don't know what to wear, it's that simple.
p85: It wasn't so much that I wanted to 'get into swimming' but that my body was craving being plunged into cold water. [...] I felt shapeless and hot and bothered and that's why I needed specifically cold water. Dipping into the iciness, I could feel myself merge with the water, a body of atoms moving through another body of atoms. It felt like the biggest relief, the water helping me shake off all my worries. When I swim, it's one of the only times I am fully in the present moment.
p86: Cold swimming had become my new thing, where I found that I usually end up connecting with a certain type of woman. A woman looking for an element of bravery, or escapism, or me-time, or joy, or a fresh start. A fellow woman wearing a woolley hat, looking for a small adventure and connection.
Autumn
p93: My body was not in a state of wanting to be exerted.
p97: When in a perfect environment like this, there is often a creeping thought in the back of your head that cranks up, along these lines: 'What if I could live like this FOREVER? What if I sell my house and buy some chickens and move to the mountains? I could live simply. I could only have two sets of clothes! Then I would have ZERO worries.' But that isn't the point of a retreat, at least not for me. I like my city life. I don't want to eliminate all noise, challenges, or variety. I just want more tools to help me move through it. Retreats are a chance to look at yourself, reflect and make changes, but it does not mean needing to overhaul every crevice of your being overnight, take an axe to your relationships or light a match to everything and anything. For me, this trip was a reminder that I can stay calm even in rush hour, if I choose to. This was not about changing the outside structures right now, but about tuning in to the layers underneath, changing up the insides. The frequencies of my life.
Winter
p110–111: A year to the day that I had my full burnout meltdown (23 October 2022), the day I lay in bed not knowing if I would ever feel alive again, my Letter from Love was published on Elizabeth Gilbert's newsletter (23 October 2023). Coincidence?
Dear Love, what would you have me know today?
Oh, sweet teary one – I totally get it, I do. You are so worried, so worried about what is going on in the world and worried about the struggles of those you love. Let me sit with you while you sob. Let me witness those warm tears that land on your cheeks and let me do nothing with them, for they don't need to go away or be fixed. Just let them land.
I'm here, just as I always am, writing through your hand. have you noticed that I have always been here, since the day you could write and breathe and feel and be? All you need to do is call on me and I will be here.
Oh, my angel – the world is a lot, isn't it? And you feel so much of it. Let it move through you. This is normal, this is the natural way of things, and I am here. I'm here to listen, to be still, to watch and to be with you. I will always love you and I will always be here whenever you need to cry. You can cry with me whenever you want. You can always come to me.
Promise me a swim tomorrow? Or a small walk? Maybe go to the tea hut and see the ducks? See the beauty. See your own beauty. You've got this, you are strong, but you also need to replenish.
Go and see some lovely things. There is no one to impress.
I love you.
p113: [...] things in nature are always changing, mutating, evolving, transforming. There are so many other descriptive words we can use to describe these periods in life: nervous breakdown, collapse, fatigue, exhaustion, depletion. We can also call it 'existential burnout'. Essentially, this kind of breakdown is a way of life saying to you: this current way you are living isn't working, and it can happen at any age. Time to transform – but not without some pain.
p113: In nature, things are allowed to break down and regenerate and build back up again.
p114: There are other ways of describing this subterranean period in culture or in conversation: [...] Having a 'fallow year' (a farmer not growing any crops for a while so that the quality of the soil can eventually improve).
Afterword
p120: My approach to people and life has changed so much since last year – it still surprises me how different things feel. On the outside, things may not seem that different, but on the inside, it's as though a lens has been changed on a camera. I see things differently. I'm stronger, less fragile, less afraid. When you are deep in the thick of burnout and recovery, you really don't think you'll ever be well again. And then it passes, just like everyone says it will. You realise the power of your own resilience, and you have a toolbelt that feels rightfully earned.
So here are five lessons I will take forward with me, from my year of nothing:
LESSON 1
Prioritise those you love.
Whenever I find myself getting into a tailspin about something, I remember everything I learnt about pausing, reflecting, taking a minute, choosing a different way, changing the tune. After a stressful work period, I book a week off and visited my parents, family or friends. [...] Remember how special the small things are. Make time for it.
LESSON 2
Gather trinkets.
The little ornaments, physical items, gifts and symbols really helped me during the hard times. [...] Keep your reminders close.
LESSON 3
Keep on top of things.
Face things, don't hide them away. Clear out physical stuff, look at the monsters under the bed; don't hoard too much, clean things out regularly. Have the difficult conversation, don't let it fester or lurk. When we really look at the stuff building in our cupboards, we are subconsciously looking at the 'stuff' in our lives too.
LESSON 4
Listen to your body.
Tune in to the parts of yourself that are needing love and attention. Don't forget how wise it is, wiser than our frantic minds. [...] If in doubt, stretch. Rotate your hips in a circular motion. Find some grass and touch it with your bare feet.
LESSON 5
You have time.
It might feel like you have to rush, move forward, make quick decisions, go go go. But you really do have time. Slow down. You don't need to rush. Take five. Grab a cup of tea. It's going to be OK. Breathe.
p13: Suffering from panic attacks and a mysterious leaching of her normally high-powered energies, she marks a date: 22 October 2022. She was plunged into a harrowing period of inertia. She writes, 'Even though we know deep down these periods of life are temporary, it is terrifying not knowing when it will end.'
Updated Author's Note, 2025
p17: You only realise in hindsight that your breakdown was a breakthrough.
p18: 'I'm a big fan of the nervous breakdown as a completely rational response,' Taffy [Brodesser-Akner] said.
A nervous breakdown is a complete rational response! Yes. That landed in my body as truth. Life for many of us, and for very different personal reasons, is a lot. When I look back on this fallow year [...] I do feel a sadness for the time that seems 'lost' – but I also feel a deep and unexpected fondness.
p18: It was a topsy-turvy, bedridden year of being adrift and wandering aimlessly, but I can't help but be grateful for it. Hard-won wisdom. Knowing that life goes on. That we have many mirco and macro deaths of self within one lifetime.
p18–19: One day, she sent me a picture of her sitting at her window, letting the light in; she had herself some sunflowers, placed them in a large vase, and had a paint set and a copy of The Artist's Way. She was finding a way to heal. I see her now, years on, living her life in a sunny European city, seeing how her burnout re-routed her in a beautiful, dramatic way. Fewer spikes, most soft edges. [...] I'm the softest and most ruthless I've ever been. That's how I feel. So much softer, and yet so much more powerful. Softening your edges doesn't mean you lose your spark; it eventually comes back to you.
p19: For so long I had compartmentalised my life, fracturing myself into different versions depending on the person I was with or the environment I was in. I would split myself down the middle between Work Self and Home Self, neer introducing one to the other. When I came out the other side of this, I realised I'd combined all my different selves. They joined forces, they finally pulled up a pew and dined together, they had become friends. For the first time, I felt whole. One joined-together person. Recognised myself in the mirror again. What a relief. It was exhausting to keep so many plates spinning – to be so many versions of myself at once.
Author's Note, 2023
p23: I felt depleted and deflated, angry and upset that I had no energy to work on writing projects that once lit me up. [...] It worried me, this intense lack of capacity and broken feeling in my brain.
Winter
p29: How embarrassing and ungrateful, the voice said, having a mental breakdown at a luxury hotel.
p36: [...] in that moment I felt like things were going to be OK, but only if I could engage with the realities of the world properly and honestly. Only if I really saw the world around me, really saw nature and people and the elements and felt the hot and the cold and the good and the bad. No more shying away from everything. I touched the leaves on a newly sprouting plant that made its way through the snow and felt a small ripple of hope. The assignment was clear: the world was dark at times, but it was also extremely magical, and it was possible to hold both together in one palm.
p37: I started to notice this increasingly urgent desire to be alone. [...] When I thought about the commitments I'd made to my publisher to promote the book, I just wanted to fall asleep right away.
p37: As Einstein reportedly once said: 'The most important decision we made is whether we believe we live in a friendly or a hostile universe.'
p45: We shouldn't need to go away somewhere in order to do nothing, but sometimes it can help. It enables us to shut the door on our life for a bit. It is romanticised too, sold to us all the time. [...] This is how bad we are at the concept of 'doing nothing': it has to be packaged up and sold. Surely switching off can be done anywhere? Surely we don't need to spend money all the time, in order to do nothing?
p47: We've all changed. I notice there are certain things about each other that we no longer understand. I notice that life suddenly got hard. We no longer have carefree nights out to gossip or tell private jokes about boys at school, or share common-room nonchalance. No more obvious commonalities. Our lives got more serious, but the love is still there. But at this point in our lives, we are struggling to be there for each other. Each of us has our own particular brand of discomfort and stress and there is no clear ringleader.
Summer
p75: For many social reasons, it's common to split ourselves into different versions – how we act alone, in groups, one-on-one with friends, with parents, or at work. To some extent, that's just having social skills. But for me, it felt like it had gone too far – I was performing different parts of myself instead of being whole. I wanted to feel centered again, to be one complete self.
p83: There is nothing necessarily 'wrong' with you when you're unable to live your 'best life' or have boundless energy. Sometimes, you are in the in-between. You are on ice, on pause. When we don't know who we are, we don't know what to wear, it's that simple.
p85: It wasn't so much that I wanted to 'get into swimming' but that my body was craving being plunged into cold water. [...] I felt shapeless and hot and bothered and that's why I needed specifically cold water. Dipping into the iciness, I could feel myself merge with the water, a body of atoms moving through another body of atoms. It felt like the biggest relief, the water helping me shake off all my worries. When I swim, it's one of the only times I am fully in the present moment.
p86: Cold swimming had become my new thing, where I found that I usually end up connecting with a certain type of woman. A woman looking for an element of bravery, or escapism, or me-time, or joy, or a fresh start. A fellow woman wearing a woolley hat, looking for a small adventure and connection.
Autumn
p93: My body was not in a state of wanting to be exerted.
p97: When in a perfect environment like this, there is often a creeping thought in the back of your head that cranks up, along these lines: 'What if I could live like this FOREVER? What if I sell my house and buy some chickens and move to the mountains? I could live simply. I could only have two sets of clothes! Then I would have ZERO worries.' But that isn't the point of a retreat, at least not for me. I like my city life. I don't want to eliminate all noise, challenges, or variety. I just want more tools to help me move through it. Retreats are a chance to look at yourself, reflect and make changes, but it does not mean needing to overhaul every crevice of your being overnight, take an axe to your relationships or light a match to everything and anything. For me, this trip was a reminder that I can stay calm even in rush hour, if I choose to. This was not about changing the outside structures right now, but about tuning in to the layers underneath, changing up the insides. The frequencies of my life.
Winter
p110–111: A year to the day that I had my full burnout meltdown (23 October 2022), the day I lay in bed not knowing if I would ever feel alive again, my Letter from Love was published on Elizabeth Gilbert's newsletter (23 October 2023). Coincidence?
Dear Love, what would you have me know today?
Oh, sweet teary one – I totally get it, I do. You are so worried, so worried about what is going on in the world and worried about the struggles of those you love. Let me sit with you while you sob. Let me witness those warm tears that land on your cheeks and let me do nothing with them, for they don't need to go away or be fixed. Just let them land.
I'm here, just as I always am, writing through your hand. have you noticed that I have always been here, since the day you could write and breathe and feel and be? All you need to do is call on me and I will be here.
Oh, my angel – the world is a lot, isn't it? And you feel so much of it. Let it move through you. This is normal, this is the natural way of things, and I am here. I'm here to listen, to be still, to watch and to be with you. I will always love you and I will always be here whenever you need to cry. You can cry with me whenever you want. You can always come to me.
Promise me a swim tomorrow? Or a small walk? Maybe go to the tea hut and see the ducks? See the beauty. See your own beauty. You've got this, you are strong, but you also need to replenish.
Go and see some lovely things. There is no one to impress.
I love you.
p113: [...] things in nature are always changing, mutating, evolving, transforming. There are so many other descriptive words we can use to describe these periods in life: nervous breakdown, collapse, fatigue, exhaustion, depletion. We can also call it 'existential burnout'. Essentially, this kind of breakdown is a way of life saying to you: this current way you are living isn't working, and it can happen at any age. Time to transform – but not without some pain.
p113: In nature, things are allowed to break down and regenerate and build back up again.
p114: There are other ways of describing this subterranean period in culture or in conversation: [...] Having a 'fallow year' (a farmer not growing any crops for a while so that the quality of the soil can eventually improve).
Afterword
p120: My approach to people and life has changed so much since last year – it still surprises me how different things feel. On the outside, things may not seem that different, but on the inside, it's as though a lens has been changed on a camera. I see things differently. I'm stronger, less fragile, less afraid. When you are deep in the thick of burnout and recovery, you really don't think you'll ever be well again. And then it passes, just like everyone says it will. You realise the power of your own resilience, and you have a toolbelt that feels rightfully earned.
So here are five lessons I will take forward with me, from my year of nothing:
LESSON 1
Prioritise those you love.
Whenever I find myself getting into a tailspin about something, I remember everything I learnt about pausing, reflecting, taking a minute, choosing a different way, changing the tune. After a stressful work period, I book a week off and visited my parents, family or friends. [...] Remember how special the small things are. Make time for it.
LESSON 2
Gather trinkets.
The little ornaments, physical items, gifts and symbols really helped me during the hard times. [...] Keep your reminders close.
LESSON 3
Keep on top of things.
Face things, don't hide them away. Clear out physical stuff, look at the monsters under the bed; don't hoard too much, clean things out regularly. Have the difficult conversation, don't let it fester or lurk. When we really look at the stuff building in our cupboards, we are subconsciously looking at the 'stuff' in our lives too.
LESSON 4
Listen to your body.
Tune in to the parts of yourself that are needing love and attention. Don't forget how wise it is, wiser than our frantic minds. [...] If in doubt, stretch. Rotate your hips in a circular motion. Find some grass and touch it with your bare feet.
LESSON 5
You have time.
It might feel like you have to rush, move forward, make quick decisions, go go go. But you really do have time. Slow down. You don't need to rush. Take five. Grab a cup of tea. It's going to be OK. Breathe.
April 22, 2026
I was at one of my lowest points when I came across this book. For three months after my dog passed away, I could barely function. When I did manage to get up, it was mostly on autopilot, going to work because rent still needed paying. On one of those days, I was out with a friend who was trying her best to cheer me up. We wandered into a bookshop, and this was the first book I noticed on the shelf. My first thought was how much I wished I could just give in, do nothing, and spend my days thinking about my dog. I also wondered, perhaps hopefully, whether this book might help me.
I bought it, brought it home, and then left it untouched on my table for months while I retreated back into my cocoon of depression.
Recently, feeling a little lighter, I finally picked it up, and it was literally covered in dust. I have to say, I really appreciated how openly the author invited readers into such a raw and emotional period of her life, dealing with burnout and trying to recover by doing nothing for a year. She also shares some thoughtful ideas about rebuilding confidence, such as wearing something fun or nice for a small dopamine boost, or writing letters to your future-self so that when you are struggling later on, it is your past-self offering comfort. I thought that was genuinely lovely.
However, as much as I valued her vulnerability, I do think the book could have acknowledged privilege more directly. She was in a position to take a year off without the constant pressure of finances, and had access to luxury spas, wellness retreats, and a support system many people simply do not have. In reality, a lot of burnt out people cannot afford to stop. I wanted nothing more than to shut down and grieve longer for my dog, but life does not always allow that. It keeps moving, whether you are ready or not.
By no means am I trying to dismiss what the author went through. Burnout is real and painful regardless of circumstances. I just wish there had been a little more awareness of how fortunate she was to have the option to pause in that way. I was also hoping for deeper insight into her mental state during the hardest moments, more honesty about how it felt when she could not function, and what was going through her mind at the time.
That said, the April chapter really broke me. I was in tears reading about the death of her grandfather, who had dementia in the final years of his life, and how his passing happened during her year of nothing. The way she described going into his home and trying to absorb every last trace of him hit me hard. It reminded me so much of losing my dog. Before I sent her for cremation, I kept smelling her fur and taking in every detail of her, her outline, her warmth, because I knew afterwards I would only have photographs. I would no longer be able to touch her, hold her, or smell her again. Even now, the way the house slowly lost her scent still hurts me.
Overall, I did find comfort in parts of this memoir. I just wish it had gone deeper into her emotional and mental space during that difficult year. Had it done that, I think I would have connected with it even more.
QUOTES THAT I LIKE:
“The universe has it covered. You will be okay.”
“The house felt like a person too, with a mood of its own.”
“In that moment, I realised not only the power of dopamine dressing, but also the power it had to affect other people. It’s like seeing a small dog on public transport, you can’t help but smile. I promised myself I’d wear something fun each day for a few days to see if the experiment would stick – and it did.”
“Retreats are a chance to look at yourself, reflect and make changes, but it does not mean needing to overhaul every crevice of your being overnight, take an axe to your relationships or light a match to everything and anything. For me, this trip was a reminder that I can stay calm even in rush hour, if I choose to. This was not about changing the outside structures right now, but about tuning in to the layers underneath, changing up the insides. The frequencies of my life.”
“I guess that’s the point of life. We don’t really know anything.”
“Life, like music, is always unfolding, like a great symphony.”
“Having capacity and a sense of expansiveness is a true sign that we are doing well.”
“I’m stronger, less fragile, less afraid. When you are deep in the thick of burnout and recovery, you really don’t think you’ll ever be well again. And then it passes, just like everyone says it will. You realise the power of your own resilience, and you have a toolbelt that feels rightfully earned.”
“Remember how special the small things are. Make time for it.”
I bought it, brought it home, and then left it untouched on my table for months while I retreated back into my cocoon of depression.
Recently, feeling a little lighter, I finally picked it up, and it was literally covered in dust. I have to say, I really appreciated how openly the author invited readers into such a raw and emotional period of her life, dealing with burnout and trying to recover by doing nothing for a year. She also shares some thoughtful ideas about rebuilding confidence, such as wearing something fun or nice for a small dopamine boost, or writing letters to your future-self so that when you are struggling later on, it is your past-self offering comfort. I thought that was genuinely lovely.
However, as much as I valued her vulnerability, I do think the book could have acknowledged privilege more directly. She was in a position to take a year off without the constant pressure of finances, and had access to luxury spas, wellness retreats, and a support system many people simply do not have. In reality, a lot of burnt out people cannot afford to stop. I wanted nothing more than to shut down and grieve longer for my dog, but life does not always allow that. It keeps moving, whether you are ready or not.
By no means am I trying to dismiss what the author went through. Burnout is real and painful regardless of circumstances. I just wish there had been a little more awareness of how fortunate she was to have the option to pause in that way. I was also hoping for deeper insight into her mental state during the hardest moments, more honesty about how it felt when she could not function, and what was going through her mind at the time.
“I became hyper-aware every time I visited the house, trying to freeze time and hold on to the memories. I went to his upstairs bathroom, and memorised the bath and the basin, which were all an old turquoise colour, and while washing my hands with a little old-fashioned bar of soap, I looked out of the window at this garden with the window slightly open and tried to breathe in the air of his house. I wanted my nostrils to always remember the warm, comforting and familiar smell. I wanted to be able to access this at any time.”
That said, the April chapter really broke me. I was in tears reading about the death of her grandfather, who had dementia in the final years of his life, and how his passing happened during her year of nothing. The way she described going into his home and trying to absorb every last trace of him hit me hard. It reminded me so much of losing my dog. Before I sent her for cremation, I kept smelling her fur and taking in every detail of her, her outline, her warmth, because I knew afterwards I would only have photographs. I would no longer be able to touch her, hold her, or smell her again. Even now, the way the house slowly lost her scent still hurts me.
Overall, I did find comfort in parts of this memoir. I just wish it had gone deeper into her emotional and mental space during that difficult year. Had it done that, I think I would have connected with it even more.
QUOTES THAT I LIKE:
“The universe has it covered. You will be okay.”
“The house felt like a person too, with a mood of its own.”
“In that moment, I realised not only the power of dopamine dressing, but also the power it had to affect other people. It’s like seeing a small dog on public transport, you can’t help but smile. I promised myself I’d wear something fun each day for a few days to see if the experiment would stick – and it did.”
“Retreats are a chance to look at yourself, reflect and make changes, but it does not mean needing to overhaul every crevice of your being overnight, take an axe to your relationships or light a match to everything and anything. For me, this trip was a reminder that I can stay calm even in rush hour, if I choose to. This was not about changing the outside structures right now, but about tuning in to the layers underneath, changing up the insides. The frequencies of my life.”
“I guess that’s the point of life. We don’t really know anything.”
“Life, like music, is always unfolding, like a great symphony.”
“Having capacity and a sense of expansiveness is a true sign that we are doing well.”
“I’m stronger, less fragile, less afraid. When you are deep in the thick of burnout and recovery, you really don’t think you’ll ever be well again. And then it passes, just like everyone says it will. You realise the power of your own resilience, and you have a toolbelt that feels rightfully earned.”
“Remember how special the small things are. Make time for it.”
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"This is how bad we are at the concept of ‘doing nothing’: it has to be packaged up and sold.”
I’ve been a fan of Emma Gannon’s for a while — I used to listen to her podcast Ctrl Alt Delete and I really enjoyed her book The Multi-Hyphen Method — but I haven’t kept up with her work in the last few years. This book is a chronicle of one of those years, a year in which she had a burnout breakdown and spent the following twelve months finding her way back to herself.
For a book called A Year of Nothing, she actually has quite a bit going on, and I’m going to start by saying that most of this is not accessible to us average busy gals. The privilege to take a year out from work, to travel to luxury destinations and healing retreats, etc. etc. is not something most of us can do to cope with the pressures of modern life.
That being said, this privilege does not go unacknowledged in Gannon’s book; she’s not touting her methods as things that anyone can and should be able to do to battle burnout. This is a journal of *her* journey, and in some ways it’s a good reminder that burnout and mental stress can affect anyone, even if obviously it has different results and treatments for people in different socioeconomic situations.
Where she offers prescriptions, her recommendations are universal. Regardless of your wealth or status, whether high or low, we can all benefit from slowing down, focusing on small joys, and reflecting on and evaluating the aspects of our life that could benefit from attention or change.
There’s a lot to relate to in this memoir, such as the moment when she finds herself tearing up reading the positive affirmations graffitied onto a restroom door, who among us has not found ourselves in a similar position on a low-mental-health day.
Two chapters that I particularly enjoyed were the section about her relationship to clothing and the one about her relationship to alcohol. I appreciate that she expressed her care for her physical appearance in terms of her hair and clothing without speaking about it as a measure of her self-worth, but only as an opportunity to celebrate an aspect of her life that she can control and enjoy.
And I liked that she wrote about her desire and decision to drink less while also making it clear that she was not coming from a place of alcoholism — I think many of us could stand to have a more positive, less frequent relationship with alcohol without it being a problem of dependency, and is isn’t usually reflected in the self-help or personal wellness sphere.
Each chapter of A Year of Nothing ends with questions for the reader, and while they are fairly broad and basic they provided some nice open-ended guidance for thinking about my own feelings and goals for finding balance.
Overall, I enjoyed this; as I said, I haven’t really kept up with Emma Gannon’s work lately but this definitely makes me want to go back and read her novels and her other recent nonfiction.
I received an ARC of A Year Of Nothing from Whitefox Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much.
October 21, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Whitefox Publishing for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
We are always told we should keep busy, keep productive, don't be lazy. But sometimes it is important that we do take that step back and relax, do nothing, read, watch telly, go for a walk, buy a new candle. We don't have to be on the go all the time, and we shouldn't feel guilty about taking time to rest. We shouldn't have to wait until our body forces us to rest, before we do.
I have one of Emma's novels and one of her non-fiction books but am yet to read them so this was my first foray into her work, and I really enjoyed it.
As someone who has had her fair share of mental health difficulties, I find it difficult to fully explain how it makes me feel, so I'm always in awe of people who manage to do so.
This is a short but beautiful book and I think it could be really helpful. I didn't have a breakdown per se, but my illness got too much for me and in 2024 I took an overdose, something I still think about from time to time, not with regret but with a longing to have succeeded. It was the lowest I have ever been and I think sometimes we need to reach that point in order to rise up again, and Emma has pitched this perfectly.
I won't go into depth about the things she's written about because you need to read it for yourself, but one bit I really related to was how she talks about her strolls through cemeteries and graveyards to clear her head. When I was in better physical health and was still allowed to drive, I would often drive to the crematorium (where my Nan, Granddad, and Dad are) and just walk. There is a small lake at the bottom of the crematorium and I would frequently go down there with a book or a notepad, sit on the bench by the water and read or write, listening to the wind in the trees, and the birds, and the fish in the water. I found it so relaxing but I've never found someone who feels that way instead of thinking it's just morbid.
It's a small book but a powerful one, and I read it in a few hours, and once I finished I just had to contact her myself to express my thanks.
We are always told we should keep busy, keep productive, don't be lazy. But sometimes it is important that we do take that step back and relax, do nothing, read, watch telly, go for a walk, buy a new candle. We don't have to be on the go all the time, and we shouldn't feel guilty about taking time to rest. We shouldn't have to wait until our body forces us to rest, before we do.
I have one of Emma's novels and one of her non-fiction books but am yet to read them so this was my first foray into her work, and I really enjoyed it.
As someone who has had her fair share of mental health difficulties, I find it difficult to fully explain how it makes me feel, so I'm always in awe of people who manage to do so.
This is a short but beautiful book and I think it could be really helpful. I didn't have a breakdown per se, but my illness got too much for me and in 2024 I took an overdose, something I still think about from time to time, not with regret but with a longing to have succeeded. It was the lowest I have ever been and I think sometimes we need to reach that point in order to rise up again, and Emma has pitched this perfectly.
I won't go into depth about the things she's written about because you need to read it for yourself, but one bit I really related to was how she talks about her strolls through cemeteries and graveyards to clear her head. When I was in better physical health and was still allowed to drive, I would often drive to the crematorium (where my Nan, Granddad, and Dad are) and just walk. There is a small lake at the bottom of the crematorium and I would frequently go down there with a book or a notepad, sit on the bench by the water and read or write, listening to the wind in the trees, and the birds, and the fish in the water. I found it so relaxing but I've never found someone who feels that way instead of thinking it's just morbid.
It's a small book but a powerful one, and I read it in a few hours, and once I finished I just had to contact her myself to express my thanks.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m not entirely sure what drew me to this novel. Perhaps it was the idea of stepping away from life for a year, which is an intriguing concept, although one that most of us can’t realistically afford. In a world where finances, responsibilities, and obligations weigh heavily, the luxury of pressing pause feels out of reach. As Thoreau wrote, many of us live lives of quiet desperation, and while the author’s journey may be more dramatic than that, it still sits on the same spectrum.
I opened the book knowing I’d likely find myself talking back to the author. Gannon’s reflections aren’t extraordinary; they echo the rhythms of everyday life, except hers are cushioned by privileges many readers don’t share. She writes of breakdowns and recovery, but always with the safety net of supportive friends, family, a husband, and the financial freedom to attend retreats, travel, and recalibration. For those without such resources, her words feel distant and perhaps even hollow.
As I read further, I couldn’t help but think about those teetering on the edge of depression or midlife crisis without resources. For those, this narrative might sting. It’s not that Gannon’s struggles aren’t real, but they’re framed within a context of comfort that most readers can only imagine. And yet, people without Gannon’s luxuries still manage to rise each morning, go to work, care for children, and keep moving forward.
The book straddles genres: part memoir, part self-help, with exercises meant to guide readers through their own journey. But I wouldn’t call it sad, or motivational, or even a traditional self-help manual. Instead, it feels like peering through a window, watching someone navigate hardship with support systems firmly in place, while recognizing that resilience looks very different when you don’t have those same cushions.
I opened the book knowing I’d likely find myself talking back to the author. Gannon’s reflections aren’t extraordinary; they echo the rhythms of everyday life, except hers are cushioned by privileges many readers don’t share. She writes of breakdowns and recovery, but always with the safety net of supportive friends, family, a husband, and the financial freedom to attend retreats, travel, and recalibration. For those without such resources, her words feel distant and perhaps even hollow.
As I read further, I couldn’t help but think about those teetering on the edge of depression or midlife crisis without resources. For those, this narrative might sting. It’s not that Gannon’s struggles aren’t real, but they’re framed within a context of comfort that most readers can only imagine. And yet, people without Gannon’s luxuries still manage to rise each morning, go to work, care for children, and keep moving forward.
The book straddles genres: part memoir, part self-help, with exercises meant to guide readers through their own journey. But I wouldn’t call it sad, or motivational, or even a traditional self-help manual. Instead, it feels like peering through a window, watching someone navigate hardship with support systems firmly in place, while recognizing that resilience looks very different when you don’t have those same cushions.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Emma Gannon, Whitefox Publishing, and NetGalley for this ARC.
A Year of Nothing immediately draws the reader in with its cover - peaceful, serene, and reflective of the tone within. The book sits somewhere between memoir and self-help, and that blurred positioning ultimately shapes the reading experience.
Writing about personal mental health journeys is complex, and it’s difficult to evaluate someone else’s experience without oversimplifying it. That said, I found myself wanting deeper insight into the mental health aspects of the story. One recurring issue for me was the lack of acknowledgement of privilege. Being able to take a year away from work without financial pressure, travel freely, access multiple therapies, and rely on a strong support system is simply not an option for most people, and this context isn’t fully addressed.
On a positive note, I appreciated the author’s honesty about choosing not to medicate and instead exploring alternative approaches to healing. That aspect felt thoughtful and sincere. Overall, however, the book never quite commits to a single direction. It is neither a fully immersive memoir with deeper psychological insight nor a clear self-help guide with defined takeaways. I believe it would have benefited from choosing one lane - either leaning more fully into personal reflection or offering clearer guidance on what worked for her.
A reflective and decent read, though somewhat caught between genres. I’m rating this between 3 and 3.5 stars.
A Year of Nothing immediately draws the reader in with its cover - peaceful, serene, and reflective of the tone within. The book sits somewhere between memoir and self-help, and that blurred positioning ultimately shapes the reading experience.
Writing about personal mental health journeys is complex, and it’s difficult to evaluate someone else’s experience without oversimplifying it. That said, I found myself wanting deeper insight into the mental health aspects of the story. One recurring issue for me was the lack of acknowledgement of privilege. Being able to take a year away from work without financial pressure, travel freely, access multiple therapies, and rely on a strong support system is simply not an option for most people, and this context isn’t fully addressed.
On a positive note, I appreciated the author’s honesty about choosing not to medicate and instead exploring alternative approaches to healing. That aspect felt thoughtful and sincere. Overall, however, the book never quite commits to a single direction. It is neither a fully immersive memoir with deeper psychological insight nor a clear self-help guide with defined takeaways. I believe it would have benefited from choosing one lane - either leaning more fully into personal reflection or offering clearer guidance on what worked for her.
A reflective and decent read, though somewhat caught between genres. I’m rating this between 3 and 3.5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
💬 My Bookish Thoughts
I’m a strong advocate for listening to 'Experts by Experience', so this memoir immediately resonated with me. Emma Gannon writes candidly about hitting burnout and choosing to step away from the cult of productivity in order to rest, reflect, and recalibrate.
This is very much Emma’s personal journey. She was able to fund travel, retreats, and alternative therapies, supported by a strong network, privileges she openly acknowledges. That context matters. What stops the book from feeling prescriptive are the “Over To You” sections at the end of each chapter, which offer gentle prompts for self-reflection rather than instructions.
As a very part-time, self-employed worker with a supportive partner, some aspects felt accessible to me, even if the retreats and travel didn’t. For others, it may feel less so, but this is a memoir, not a manual. Within that, there are thoughtful insights about slowing down, unlearning busyness, and rediscovering joy outside productivity.
For me, it prompted reflection on my own experiences of burnout and reminded me why I’ve taken up crocheting, to spend less time on my phone, embrace mindful creativity, and share that joy with others.
This is a gentle, affirming book that now has a place in my mental health toolkit, a reminder of what can happen when we stop trying to fix everything and allow ourselves to feel instead.
✨ Three words: Gentle 🌿 Reflective 💭 Affirming 🕯️
🙏🏼 Huge thanks to @netgalley, @whitefoxpublishing and @emmagannonuk for the gifted digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
I’m a strong advocate for listening to 'Experts by Experience', so this memoir immediately resonated with me. Emma Gannon writes candidly about hitting burnout and choosing to step away from the cult of productivity in order to rest, reflect, and recalibrate.
This is very much Emma’s personal journey. She was able to fund travel, retreats, and alternative therapies, supported by a strong network, privileges she openly acknowledges. That context matters. What stops the book from feeling prescriptive are the “Over To You” sections at the end of each chapter, which offer gentle prompts for self-reflection rather than instructions.
As a very part-time, self-employed worker with a supportive partner, some aspects felt accessible to me, even if the retreats and travel didn’t. For others, it may feel less so, but this is a memoir, not a manual. Within that, there are thoughtful insights about slowing down, unlearning busyness, and rediscovering joy outside productivity.
For me, it prompted reflection on my own experiences of burnout and reminded me why I’ve taken up crocheting, to spend less time on my phone, embrace mindful creativity, and share that joy with others.
This is a gentle, affirming book that now has a place in my mental health toolkit, a reminder of what can happen when we stop trying to fix everything and allow ourselves to feel instead.
✨ Three words: Gentle 🌿 Reflective 💭 Affirming 🕯️
🙏🏼 Huge thanks to @netgalley, @whitefoxpublishing and @emmagannonuk for the gifted digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 2, 2025
I received a copy of this book from Whitefox Publishing and Emma Gannon in return for an honest, independent review.
From the very first page, Emma Gannon draws you into her experiment of doing… well, nothing. After experiencing burnout and the constant pressure to achieve, she deliberately steps off the endless treadmill of "doing" for a year, allowing herself space to breathe, reflect, and simply be.
What I loved most was how honest and relatable Gannon is. She doesn't sugarcoat the struggle, but shows the beauty of letting life unfold at its own pace. Whether it's borrowing a dog, learning to swim again, or simply enjoying small, everyday moments, there's a quiet joy in every page.
Reading this also made me pause and reflect – I realised that, at times over the last year, I've been quite close to burnout, throwing myself into work as a way to cope with grief. Gannon's experiment with doing nothing felt like permission to slow down, even just a little.
The book isn't preachy or self-helpy; it's thoughtful, warm, and full of gentle reminders that rest, reflection, and presence are not indulgences – they're essential. Reading it felt like a breath of fresh air, a moment to pause and appreciate the simple things.
A Year of Nothing is inspiring, comforting, and the kind of read that stays with you long after you've finished it.
From the very first page, Emma Gannon draws you into her experiment of doing… well, nothing. After experiencing burnout and the constant pressure to achieve, she deliberately steps off the endless treadmill of "doing" for a year, allowing herself space to breathe, reflect, and simply be.
What I loved most was how honest and relatable Gannon is. She doesn't sugarcoat the struggle, but shows the beauty of letting life unfold at its own pace. Whether it's borrowing a dog, learning to swim again, or simply enjoying small, everyday moments, there's a quiet joy in every page.
Reading this also made me pause and reflect – I realised that, at times over the last year, I've been quite close to burnout, throwing myself into work as a way to cope with grief. Gannon's experiment with doing nothing felt like permission to slow down, even just a little.
The book isn't preachy or self-helpy; it's thoughtful, warm, and full of gentle reminders that rest, reflection, and presence are not indulgences – they're essential. Reading it felt like a breath of fresh air, a moment to pause and appreciate the simple things.
A Year of Nothing is inspiring, comforting, and the kind of read that stays with you long after you've finished it.
December 14, 2025
Thank you White Fox Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Perfectionist, podcaster, author. And now in her latest book, Emma Gannon shares her unravelling, her breakdown which as she shares was horrible but necessary.
This brave, honest and down to earth memoir began as a collection of journal entries Emma wrote leading up to, during and through her breakdown. The end result is the collation of memories of these and adapted into the book we now hold detailing Emma’s “Year of Nothing”, a year where she puts everything on hold to metamorphosis into a more grounded, softer, relaxed yet integrated version of herself.
I really enjoyed accompanying Emma on her journey and was inspired by the honesty and rawness she shared.
Part of her “Year of Nothing” was exploring any healing modalities she could and I enjoyed reading about her experiences with them. I also really loved the day she wore her Dungarees and was absolutely intrigued by the concept of Dopamine Dressing. I’m sure we all have done / do it so a certain extent but this really stuck with me.
I highly recommend this memoir.
Thank you White Fox, Emma Gannon and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this and provide my honest review .
Perfectionist, podcaster, author. And now in her latest book, Emma Gannon shares her unravelling, her breakdown which as she shares was horrible but necessary.
This brave, honest and down to earth memoir began as a collection of journal entries Emma wrote leading up to, during and through her breakdown. The end result is the collation of memories of these and adapted into the book we now hold detailing Emma’s “Year of Nothing”, a year where she puts everything on hold to metamorphosis into a more grounded, softer, relaxed yet integrated version of herself.
I really enjoyed accompanying Emma on her journey and was inspired by the honesty and rawness she shared.
Part of her “Year of Nothing” was exploring any healing modalities she could and I enjoyed reading about her experiences with them. I also really loved the day she wore her Dungarees and was absolutely intrigued by the concept of Dopamine Dressing. I’m sure we all have done / do it so a certain extent but this really stuck with me.
I highly recommend this memoir.
Thank you White Fox, Emma Gannon and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this and provide my honest review .
March 26, 2026
Two stars because:
- I like Emma Gannon's writing style; I do intend to read another book by her. I flew through this one.
- I commend her for surviving such catastrophic burnout and her vulnerability sharing it.
That's it, that's all. This felt exceptionally privileged; she took a year off and was able to go to private golf clubs, take spontaneous vacations, go on luxury wellness retreats, go glamping with her friends, pay for high-end self-care...
Kudos to her for making space for herself in this way, but there is nothing relatable within this text. She just published this book in January, and she has a new, nearly 400-word book coming out in June. Prior to the Year of Nothing, she released other books (after her Success text). The little bit of advice she did share in the text about not overwhelming yourself with projects and commitments doesn't seem to apply once you've "gotten over" your burnout, I suppose...? And if you're a mother, forget finding something to take away in this text (only the childless can sit in a bed all day and then vacation on a whim).
I don't know, it just wasn't what I hoped, and I think the message was lost the moment Julia Cameron shared a foreword (it should have been an indicator of the position of privilege this was coming from).
- I like Emma Gannon's writing style; I do intend to read another book by her. I flew through this one.
- I commend her for surviving such catastrophic burnout and her vulnerability sharing it.
That's it, that's all. This felt exceptionally privileged; she took a year off and was able to go to private golf clubs, take spontaneous vacations, go on luxury wellness retreats, go glamping with her friends, pay for high-end self-care...
Kudos to her for making space for herself in this way, but there is nothing relatable within this text. She just published this book in January, and she has a new, nearly 400-word book coming out in June. Prior to the Year of Nothing, she released other books (after her Success text). The little bit of advice she did share in the text about not overwhelming yourself with projects and commitments doesn't seem to apply once you've "gotten over" your burnout, I suppose...? And if you're a mother, forget finding something to take away in this text (only the childless can sit in a bed all day and then vacation on a whim).
I don't know, it just wasn't what I hoped, and I think the message was lost the moment Julia Cameron shared a foreword (it should have been an indicator of the position of privilege this was coming from).
Read
November 21, 2025What happens when the life you know stops abruptly? What happens when all the victories of your life turn to ashes in your mouth? Emma Gannon, a hugely successful author and broadcaster was forced to reassess her life when she found she simply couldn't make her mind and body carry on in the way she had always done. The break comes, as it so often does, at an event that was supposed to be a beautiful celebration, which turned into a nightmare that took Emma a year of gently considering her life to get out of. We follow her through the seasons of her burn out as she begins to figure out a different way of being. This is deeply touching and powerful in its simplicity. There is a raw, personal tenderness that allows Emma's vulnerability to shine through and which makes this something to be savoured. I loved the questions at the end of each section in which Emma invites us as the readers to think about our relationship to the things she is saying. There is no judgment or sense of demand here, just a gentle curiosity that asks us to spend a few moments considering our own lives.
January 14, 2026
I just finished reading @emmagannonuk upcoming book/memoir “A Year of Nothing” and I absolutely adored it.
The memoir is coming out on the 22nd January and I implore you to read it!! 📚
‘A Year of Nothing’ made me actually sit back and answer the questions Emma is asking throughout and I really really loved that. It’s been a long time since I read a book that made me do that. It made me think about the small things in life that can make a huge difference to what makes life simple, easy & brighter.
For example, dopamine dressing is such a fun way to brighten your day but also others. I love wearing funky pieces that make myself smile but also other people around me. Something so simple, but so affective.
Throughout Emma is extremely candid with her personal experiences and how she decided to take a step back, reflect & take matters into her own hands after burnout.
I truly loved this & I am very grateful to have been able to read it before publication later this month 🥰
Thank you for the arc & for giving me the chance to review 😗✨ @netgalley
The memoir is coming out on the 22nd January and I implore you to read it!! 📚
‘A Year of Nothing’ made me actually sit back and answer the questions Emma is asking throughout and I really really loved that. It’s been a long time since I read a book that made me do that. It made me think about the small things in life that can make a huge difference to what makes life simple, easy & brighter.
For example, dopamine dressing is such a fun way to brighten your day but also others. I love wearing funky pieces that make myself smile but also other people around me. Something so simple, but so affective.
Throughout Emma is extremely candid with her personal experiences and how she decided to take a step back, reflect & take matters into her own hands after burnout.
I truly loved this & I am very grateful to have been able to read it before publication later this month 🥰
Thank you for the arc & for giving me the chance to review 😗✨ @netgalley
March 19, 2026
I was finding myself annoyed reading this book, as Gannon goes on about a life that I would kill for, with fulfilling work, great family and friends and the ability to basically do nothing (and by nothing I mean go on holidays and sound bath retreats) for a year, but then I realized that it might be a more important realization that even someone who has so many things going for them can feel the pull of burnout. I think our society is set up in a way that is very literally killing all of us, with overwork and exhaustion a very common problem. I don't know that Gannon's book really offers any insight into what to do about it, since most of us can't take a year off to do nothing, but I did find myself relating to at least some parts of this book. I was confused because a part of the blurb said something about her embracing a child free life and it seems like at least some of her fiction tackles that but I don't remember her directly addressing that besides remarking that some of her friends have kids so must be even more exhausted.
March 29, 2026
I really enjoyed "A Year of Nothing" by Emma Gannon! This book was a beautifully poignant memoir detailing her experience navigating a nervous breakdown. It was thoughtful, reflective, full of evocative detail and well-written prose, and had a heart to it that memoirs can sometimes miss.
If you enjoyed "Wintering" by Katherine May, you will likely enjoy this too. In fact, in many ways I far preferred "A Year of Nothing" to "Wintering" because Gannon did a better job of anchoring in her specific experiences, in ways that "Wintering" felt a little meandering.
While this book was about a fallow period, a time of rest, and how the author reckoned with this moment of pause, Gannon still did a lovely job of maintaining consistent pacing, taking the reader through a narrative, building tension, and telling a compelling story.
I really enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to several folks I know who are on the verge of burnout! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an early copy of this book with me. :)
If you enjoyed "Wintering" by Katherine May, you will likely enjoy this too. In fact, in many ways I far preferred "A Year of Nothing" to "Wintering" because Gannon did a better job of anchoring in her specific experiences, in ways that "Wintering" felt a little meandering.
While this book was about a fallow period, a time of rest, and how the author reckoned with this moment of pause, Gannon still did a lovely job of maintaining consistent pacing, taking the reader through a narrative, building tension, and telling a compelling story.
I really enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to several folks I know who are on the verge of burnout! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an early copy of this book with me. :)
October 3, 2025
I was very kindly given an e-ARC copy of this book via Netgalley and Whitefox Publishing.
I think if I'd had this during my nervous breakdown, I might have gotten out of it a bit quicker. Particularly as I probably needed to do a year of nothing to recover from it, but I was 20 and at university and just high-functioning enough to do some damage. I enjoyed Gannon's insights into how she supported the healing process from her own burnout. On something like this, I struggle to pass critique or judgement because it's clearly a significant moment in a person's life, but I did find it a little wanting in the writing style in places. Ultimately, I hope this gets into the hands of the people who need it, because it can help.
'A Year of Nothing' by Emma Gannon will be available in this format in January 2026.
I think if I'd had this during my nervous breakdown, I might have gotten out of it a bit quicker. Particularly as I probably needed to do a year of nothing to recover from it, but I was 20 and at university and just high-functioning enough to do some damage. I enjoyed Gannon's insights into how she supported the healing process from her own burnout. On something like this, I struggle to pass critique or judgement because it's clearly a significant moment in a person's life, but I did find it a little wanting in the writing style in places. Ultimately, I hope this gets into the hands of the people who need it, because it can help.
'A Year of Nothing' by Emma Gannon will be available in this format in January 2026.
April 13, 2026
Probably more like a 3.5
Quite similar to my own on-going difficult but transformative journey of corporate burnout & stepping away from my former first-half of life perfectionista go-getter people-pleaser always-be-great trajectory that was becoming super unhealthy-toxic-unfulfilling & unsustainable … though a year for Gannon looks more like 5+ years for me, ha!
Never say never but I’ll never go back to that old driven highly productive full-time professional job way of being!
So the book is super relevant and relatable … and as a fan of her writing as a regular reader of her substack I was really looking forward to this one.
I guess I was hoping for more depth here…seemed way too brief & more surface level.
Quite similar to my own on-going difficult but transformative journey of corporate burnout & stepping away from my former first-half of life perfectionista go-getter people-pleaser always-be-great trajectory that was becoming super unhealthy-toxic-unfulfilling & unsustainable … though a year for Gannon looks more like 5+ years for me, ha!
Never say never but I’ll never go back to that old driven highly productive full-time professional job way of being!
So the book is super relevant and relatable … and as a fan of her writing as a regular reader of her substack I was really looking forward to this one.
I guess I was hoping for more depth here…seemed way too brief & more surface level.
May 18, 2026
This year has been one of my most difficult and it feels like each time someone asks me to make a decision, I am going to cry. Lately, I have started to question if I have reached the point of burnout. Enter Gannon's "A Year of Nothing"! Upon having her doctor indicate that she is burnt-out, Gannon takes a "year of nothing" where she didn't have commitments. She recalls what she learned throughout this year through monthly summaries, each ending with actionable tips for those who feel they may be experiencing burn out. The tasks and tips were great ones and helpful. However, I do think the limit to the effectiveness of the tips occurs when many don't have the luxury to remove themselves from the place of burn out (whether that be their job or caretaking or a combination of the two).
November 13, 2025
It’s hard to review someone’s personal breakdown and ultimate triumph without sounding judgmental, so let me be clear: I am deeply glad Emma found so much to learn and rebuild after her crisis.
However, as a memoir, the narrative execution missed the mark for me. The account felt rushed, particularly during the moments of profound breakthrough and recovery. I sensed a powerful journey, but the emotional weight needed more space to breathe and fully land with this reader. This memoir felt more like a brisk summary than an immersive, detailed reflection. Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy.
However, as a memoir, the narrative execution missed the mark for me. The account felt rushed, particularly during the moments of profound breakthrough and recovery. I sensed a powerful journey, but the emotional weight needed more space to breathe and fully land with this reader. This memoir felt more like a brisk summary than an immersive, detailed reflection. Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy.
April 7, 2026
This will now become my burnout bible. A beautiful depiction of balancing burnout and self-discovery in this must read guide for the misunderstood millennial girl. I literally highlighted the first 3 pages of the book immediately because I felt so seen. I had never related to anything more. I was intrigued to see what I could take away from this book to support me on my own personal journey to help repair and soothe my nervous system. I was delighted to discover that Emma also shares a passion for the holistic approach. What a gift this book is. (And of course it has a sausage dog on the cover, so it was inevitably meant to be as a Dachshund owner myself)
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