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Mastering Adulthood: Go Beyond Adulting to Become an Emotional Grown-Up
Discover smart and entertaining strategies for dealing with difficult emotions like anxiety, sadness, anger, and uncertainty. More than just “adulting”—this book will give you the real emotional skills you need to thrive! Whether you’re graduating from college, starting a career, trying to gain financial independence, or creating meaningful relationships—entering into the world of grownups can be more than a little overwhelming. And while there are plenty of fun books out there for young adults offering advice on how to fix a leaky faucet or find the right apartment, none really delve into the deeply emotional aspects of growing up. In Mastering Adulthood , psychologist Lara Fielding offers evidence-based skills to help you cope with the feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, and stress that may be getting in the way of living an independent, fulfilling adult life. Drawing on case examples from young adults she’s worked with in her private practice, Fielding provides empowering strategies and skills for managing difficult emotions using mindfulness, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). When you experience big life changes that cause you stress, you need emotional flexibility to reach your goals and be your best self. Using the skills in this book, you’ll learn to take charge of your emotional habits, stop feeling stuck, and discover what really matters to you.
224 pages, Paperback
Published January 2, 2019
92 people are currently reading
2010 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 15, 2018
I was actually surprised by the content and quality of this book. I've spent a lot of time in the past year trying to establish patterns of behavior that will help me achieve my goals. As a 23-year-old, I know my goals will inevitably change, but the ones I have now will hopefully put me on the right track (for my own personal growth). This book does a handful of things. It helps readers identify their emotions, helps readers figure out *why* they feel the way they do about the situation, and helps readers determine whether the emotion is warranted and suggests helpful strategies for communication and/or creating more helpful habits. In short, this book aims at increasing the emotional intelligence of the reader.
Mastering adulthood aimed at people between the ages of about 22 (college grad) and 30 (young professional, not quite starting a family yet), though it could be helpful for anyone who finds that their current behaviors and methods of communication are unproductive. It's easy to read and very thorough. I also appreciate that the author is fairly successful at mimicking the vernacular of young adult readers. When most older authors do this, it comes off as stiff and awkward. For the most part, that's not so with Mastering Adulthood. I haven't completed all of the exercises yet, but I've read all of the explanations and looked through the materials. The book comes with QR codes and links to the website, so readers can watch videos and follow along. The Fielding truly knows her demographic. I'm grateful to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
Mastering adulthood aimed at people between the ages of about 22 (college grad) and 30 (young professional, not quite starting a family yet), though it could be helpful for anyone who finds that their current behaviors and methods of communication are unproductive. It's easy to read and very thorough. I also appreciate that the author is fairly successful at mimicking the vernacular of young adult readers. When most older authors do this, it comes off as stiff and awkward. For the most part, that's not so with Mastering Adulthood. I haven't completed all of the exercises yet, but I've read all of the explanations and looked through the materials. The book comes with QR codes and links to the website, so readers can watch videos and follow along. The Fielding truly knows her demographic. I'm grateful to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
January 8, 2019
Read the full review at Elgee Writes
Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sharing a copy for review and it no way affected my unbiased and honest opinion.
While most of the books in the self help category tell what to do, Mastering Adulthood talks about why and how we do the things we do. It talks about identifying patterns in our behavior, emotions and reactions.
Mastering Adulthood comes with exercises and QR links to videos which are interesting and will be helpful in the long run. The writing is cheerful yet a bit long winded at places. Some may feel it be patronizing.
Final thought: Do not let the title fool you. It goes well beyond the adulting that we rant about.
Recommended to: Anyone who is into mindfulness, yoga and CBT
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon |
Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sharing a copy for review and it no way affected my unbiased and honest opinion.
While most of the books in the self help category tell what to do, Mastering Adulthood talks about why and how we do the things we do. It talks about identifying patterns in our behavior, emotions and reactions.
Mastering Adulthood comes with exercises and QR links to videos which are interesting and will be helpful in the long run. The writing is cheerful yet a bit long winded at places. Some may feel it be patronizing.
Final thought: Do not let the title fool you. It goes well beyond the adulting that we rant about.
Recommended to: Anyone who is into mindfulness, yoga and CBT
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon |
January 3, 2019
I thought this was a perfect gift for all my nephews and nieces as it an easy way to understand emotions. The book provides exercises and shows you all the tools necessary to cope with everyday life. Very well written. Highly recommend reading.
December 15, 2018
I want to thank Netgalley for providing me with an e arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very interesting read.
People who are interested in help with dealing with anxiety, depression and stress will most probably be interested in reading this book.
Readers can gain knowledge of how to deal with these factors in the world we live in today. One of the things that was interesting was learning about CBT and Mindfulness and how these can help you cope with the stresses you may be dealing with in life.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot from it.
It was very interesting, very well written and informative.
I gave it 4 stars.
This was a very interesting read.
People who are interested in help with dealing with anxiety, depression and stress will most probably be interested in reading this book.
Readers can gain knowledge of how to deal with these factors in the world we live in today. One of the things that was interesting was learning about CBT and Mindfulness and how these can help you cope with the stresses you may be dealing with in life.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot from it.
It was very interesting, very well written and informative.
I gave it 4 stars.
December 31, 2018
Mastering Adulthood is a book for today. With all generations facing daily challenges, Dr Fielding offers up simple methods to identify our mental traits, not illnesses, so that we are able to address them without shame or avoidance. California has been the birthplace of wellness - mostly physical with running, exercise, yoga and nutrition - so Fielding’s timing bringing mental health to the forefront is serendipitous!
November 17, 2019
I was drawn to this book when I saw it on NetGalley as I have been going through a stressful and emotion period in my life and at times just didn't feel I knew how to deal with whatever was happening.
Dr Fielding reminds the reader of the important of self-reflection. I found it to be an empowering book and I was impressed with the constructive solutions to help the reader through stressful times whilst being an enjoyable read. I personally enjoyed the meditation practices and the positive messages throughout. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels they are open to guidance getting through a difficult period - we all have them!
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and New Harbinger Publications, Inc. for an advanced readers copy of ‘Mastering Adulthood’ by Lara E Fielding. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Dr Fielding reminds the reader of the important of self-reflection. I found it to be an empowering book and I was impressed with the constructive solutions to help the reader through stressful times whilst being an enjoyable read. I personally enjoyed the meditation practices and the positive messages throughout. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels they are open to guidance getting through a difficult period - we all have them!
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and New Harbinger Publications, Inc. for an advanced readers copy of ‘Mastering Adulthood’ by Lara E Fielding. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
March 21, 2019
This book on how to master your anxieties heading into adulthood was well written and full of good advice. I enjoyed the authors perspective and will be applying some of her tips to my life. I appreciated the scientific evidence and definitions from reliable sources. It made this book in my opinion stand out against other books on similar topics.
**I received an E-arc copy of this book in return for my honest review. This in no way affects my rating or opinions stated about this book.
**I received an E-arc copy of this book in return for my honest review. This in no way affects my rating or opinions stated about this book.
September 26, 2019
Thank you New Harbinger Publications and Netgalley for an ARC in return of my honest review.
This is a useful book for those approaching or newly entering adulthood. Full of exercises and information that guides towards higher emotional intelligence. A good guide to help someone in this age group strive towards their best self.
This is a useful book for those approaching or newly entering adulthood. Full of exercises and information that guides towards higher emotional intelligence. A good guide to help someone in this age group strive towards their best self.
December 15, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the E-arc copy of this book. #HowToRaiseSuccessfulPeople #NetGalley
I think that this book can be of great help to quite a few young adults struggling with leaving their parents and transitioning to becoming independent individuals. It has a really positive and encouraging undertone in the book. The culture has changed in the last decade and identities seem to be harder to form with all the internet.
I think that this book can be of great help to quite a few young adults struggling with leaving their parents and transitioning to becoming independent individuals. It has a really positive and encouraging undertone in the book. The culture has changed in the last decade and identities seem to be harder to form with all the internet.
January 10, 2019
Honest and in-depth advice for reaching your full potential. This advice is presented in easy to follow language that can be broken up and applied in pieces at a time.
December 27, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up
CBT in an easy to digest package
awesome for teens and college kids
still pretty good for adults if you can get over the fact that the writer is writing to non-adults and can ignore the cringey title
CBT in an easy to digest package
awesome for teens and college kids
still pretty good for adults if you can get over the fact that the writer is writing to non-adults and can ignore the cringey title
January 22, 2021
음..........
그냥 자기계발서......
그냥 자기계발서......
January 3, 2020
Good book with a lot of advices in this technological world . Sweet and good advice which deals with anxiety.
November 29, 2020
Somewhat helpful
October 17, 2018
4/5 (thank you Netgalley & New Harbinger for the digital arc)
Reading this book reminded me a lot to 5 years ago when I received a therapy. I miss that moment because I am that type of person who requires someone else to keep me on check. And talking to therapist helped. This book is a lot like that. It incorporates a CBT and self-exercises that I needed. Don't be fooled by the title. Mastering Adulthood: Go Beyond Adulting to Become an Emotional Grown-up is perfect for everyone who wants to master their feeling, be it a teenager or 40-something.
I finished this book fairly quick because I procrastinate on my other (real life) work lol.
Reading this book reminded me a lot to 5 years ago when I received a therapy. I miss that moment because I am that type of person who requires someone else to keep me on check. And talking to therapist helped. This book is a lot like that. It incorporates a CBT and self-exercises that I needed. Don't be fooled by the title. Mastering Adulthood: Go Beyond Adulting to Become an Emotional Grown-up is perfect for everyone who wants to master their feeling, be it a teenager or 40-something.
I finished this book fairly quick because I procrastinate on my other (real life) work lol.
February 10, 2019
Self help works well when it is experiential, that is, when the strategies are applied and practiced. I found Dr. Fielding's book Mastering Adulthood was filled with practical, creative and personalized applications to do just that, encouraging the reader to use the strategies in everyday experiences in order to actually change automatic thinking and ineffective behaviors. This book was wonderfully RELEVANT to dealing with real life issues of anxiety, anger, depression, and especially stress, and the author did a great job using current technology to further reach the book's intended age group (although I think a wider aged population could also appreciate this book). I will recommend this book to people I know.
did-not-finish
July 9, 2019I'm giving this a finish date from last year because I refuse to start the year with a DNF. Plus that's when I really gave up on it.
I thought this was another basic self help book (that by this point in life I should really give up on already) but it turned into something else completely; and while reading the introduction I couldn't help but think "This book get's me." But then I started and it turned into "What are you trying to say?" At this point I was ready to give up but I decided to start the next chapter and it won be over again...until it lost me again.
It felt like an elaborate roundabout way to say the simplest thing.
I thought this was another basic self help book (that by this point in life I should really give up on already) but it turned into something else completely; and while reading the introduction I couldn't help but think "This book get's me." But then I started and it turned into "What are you trying to say?" At this point I was ready to give up but I decided to start the next chapter and it won be over again...until it lost me again.
It felt like an elaborate roundabout way to say the simplest thing.
August 7, 2019
I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. This book gave me the impression that I had a lot of emotions to deal with. I was wondering if this book would do anything for me. I did not think it would but a friend told me to request it and read it. So I did just that and it got me writing and thinking over what I need to do. It helps me talking to my friends, family and even my husband. So it is really worth the read and having it.
December 8, 2018
Thanks to New Harbinger and Netgalley for the Advance Review Copy.
The title of this intrigued me enough to request it. I work a lot with young people on the cusp of adulthood so thought this might be a useful resource for them. I think this book is more aimed at older people however, perhaps those in their mid twenties.
The book is written in simple, identifiable language and contains easily accessible exercises and explanations of the topics written about in each chapter. There are reflective exercises throughout the book and an element of interactivity with QR code links to videos.
The author is clearly very experienced and the topics discussed are relevant to young people today including subjects such as self awareness, relationship dynamics, anxiety and social media, I particularly liked the Castle vs Village metaphor. There are also some cute illustrations used to enhance the content.
All that said, I couldn't really take to this book. It's written in a perky style and I could almost imagine a California yoga loving, life guru type shouting in my ear as I read it. There is also a criminal overuse of exclamation marks and some of the language was grating e.g. using the word 'peeps' instead of people. I personally prefer a more dispassionate writing style in these kinds of books.
The book is also supposed to be about mastering adulthood but I found some of the advice quite patronising and childish at times. Some of the reflective exercises were quite good but there were just too many of them to really be able to develop something meaningful from them.
The peppy style will appeal to some readers I'm sure but it was just not my bag.
The title of this intrigued me enough to request it. I work a lot with young people on the cusp of adulthood so thought this might be a useful resource for them. I think this book is more aimed at older people however, perhaps those in their mid twenties.
The book is written in simple, identifiable language and contains easily accessible exercises and explanations of the topics written about in each chapter. There are reflective exercises throughout the book and an element of interactivity with QR code links to videos.
The author is clearly very experienced and the topics discussed are relevant to young people today including subjects such as self awareness, relationship dynamics, anxiety and social media, I particularly liked the Castle vs Village metaphor. There are also some cute illustrations used to enhance the content.
All that said, I couldn't really take to this book. It's written in a perky style and I could almost imagine a California yoga loving, life guru type shouting in my ear as I read it. There is also a criminal overuse of exclamation marks and some of the language was grating e.g. using the word 'peeps' instead of people. I personally prefer a more dispassionate writing style in these kinds of books.
The book is also supposed to be about mastering adulthood but I found some of the advice quite patronising and childish at times. Some of the reflective exercises were quite good but there were just too many of them to really be able to develop something meaningful from them.
The peppy style will appeal to some readers I'm sure but it was just not my bag.
July 16, 2021
I was really excited by this book. Emotional self regulation, thought management, pattern recognition and change for adults. Real exercises, therapy based (Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy) but for individuals in the real world, based on skill building and actions. QR codes link directly to video practices and other links for audio. Positive realistic tone, friendly but not condescending. For people working with a therapist or not (so many access barriers). I loved the author's personal mission statement. This would be great for people with a personality based diagnosis, or not, and the people and professionals who support them.
January 8, 2022
Abandoned a little over halfway through. The guided meditations are useful, but the "young" lingo was really irritating and distracting. The case studies felt archetypal and disingenuous... Overall, the part that makes the book unique (a voice targeting a specific audience) also made it feel dated, despite being published rather recently.
February 18, 2020
This book provides a number of methods to improve one's mental and emotional state. Though I didn't spend any time with some of the extra video content, it provided a number of exercises that can be applied.
November 2, 2024
Solid book on emotional management - I felt like there were a lot of helpful tips in this book that I'll be adapting to my life. Interesting and well written; kept me engaged even when it could have been boring.
May 30, 2020
Guide to establishing a Jungian process of understanding outselves and take responsibility for outselves.
August 20, 2021
Castle vs Villager
Think of mind and body as a car that you drive through your life.
Think of mind and body as a car that you drive through your life.
Read
September 7, 2022Couldn't finish it. Not the best fit for me.
January 25, 2023
Finished for 2023 Read Harder Challenge #6: Finish a book you did not finish. (I started this book in 2019.)
October 9, 2024
If I didn't get much out of this book, does that mean I've mastered adulthood?
September 12, 2025
Tựa Việt: Nghệ thuật cân bằng cảm xúc cho người trưởng thành
quyển này phải đọc chậm, thực hành và ngẫm nghĩ cơ mà mình chưa có thời gian, cũng như nó bao hàm nhiều thứ như DBT, ACT, chánh niệm,... chứ không phải kiểu self-help khơi khơi thông thường. mà đúng style tâm lý học chuẩn chỉnh thì đọc bị xoắn haha
quyển này phải đọc chậm, thực hành và ngẫm nghĩ cơ mà mình chưa có thời gian, cũng như nó bao hàm nhiều thứ như DBT, ACT, chánh niệm,... chứ không phải kiểu self-help khơi khơi thông thường. mà đúng style tâm lý học chuẩn chỉnh thì đọc bị xoắn haha
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews