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Busy as F*ck
When did busy become a badge of honour?
In 10 on-the-couch sessions, New Zealand clinical psychologist Karen Nimmo diagnoses, explains and treats Busy as F*ck syndrome, the condition that's consuming us all, whether we realise it or not.
If we are going to squeeze the most from ourselves and our all-too-short lives, we need to be able to gauge when our Busy as F*ckness is compromising (or drip-feed destroying) our physical and emotional health, when we're hurting people we love and when we're becoming that person others want to hide from.
In these pages you'll meet people who are facing the problems most commonly reported in our Busy as F*ck worlds. Some will resonate with you - or you'll spot traits of people you know. Whenever you get an 'aha' moment, you'll find tips, tools and tactics to guide your own journey.
In 10 on-the-couch sessions, New Zealand clinical psychologist Karen Nimmo diagnoses, explains and treats Busy as F*ck syndrome, the condition that's consuming us all, whether we realise it or not.
If we are going to squeeze the most from ourselves and our all-too-short lives, we need to be able to gauge when our Busy as F*ckness is compromising (or drip-feed destroying) our physical and emotional health, when we're hurting people we love and when we're becoming that person others want to hide from.
In these pages you'll meet people who are facing the problems most commonly reported in our Busy as F*ck worlds. Some will resonate with you - or you'll spot traits of people you know. Whenever you get an 'aha' moment, you'll find tips, tools and tactics to guide your own journey.
272 pages, ebook
Published March 1, 2019
12 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 14, 2021
If you've ever wondered "Maybe I should seek professional help" Karen Nimmo gives you a bunch of checklists that might assist you in understanding what you need, or alternatively realise that you are going okay.
Further to the checklists, Nimmo provides so many tools for how you can work on yourself and many tips based on her experiences which are really useful and quite simple. There are also many anecdotes or 'stories' from made up clients to illustrate the types of situations that cause stress and anxiety for people.
Nimmo is generous with the information she shares, has the tone of someone who is in your corner but completely able to give you tough love and is honest and humble in talking about her own mistakes or misjudgements as a professional psychologist.
While she uses busy as fuck 'syndrome' as the premise for this book, the situations and lessons are universal and not just related to being overwhelmed with the busyness of life.
The audiobook is fantastic and I think a great format to read this type of book as you are actually getting asked the questions you should be thinking about and would probably be asked by a therapist. Before embarking on an expensive journey with a psychologist, this book may be a good starting point for some people.
Further to the checklists, Nimmo provides so many tools for how you can work on yourself and many tips based on her experiences which are really useful and quite simple. There are also many anecdotes or 'stories' from made up clients to illustrate the types of situations that cause stress and anxiety for people.
Nimmo is generous with the information she shares, has the tone of someone who is in your corner but completely able to give you tough love and is honest and humble in talking about her own mistakes or misjudgements as a professional psychologist.
While she uses busy as fuck 'syndrome' as the premise for this book, the situations and lessons are universal and not just related to being overwhelmed with the busyness of life.
The audiobook is fantastic and I think a great format to read this type of book as you are actually getting asked the questions you should be thinking about and would probably be asked by a therapist. Before embarking on an expensive journey with a psychologist, this book may be a good starting point for some people.
January 15, 2020
3.5/5
Book that I picked out from recent returns solely due to the bright colouration and profanity on the cover turned out to be quite interesting. A self-help and psychology book rolled into one, but more so on the self-help side. It drifts away from the title of the book further in and goes generally into life goals, personal difficulties and how to overcome them, and relationships among other things. It is easily understandable and accessible. It includes anecdotes from Nimmo's experiences with helping patients relevant to the topics in each chapter. Even if you are content and/or happy with your life, it's still interesting to read. This is the first book of the sort that I've read though, so I don't really have anything to compare it against.
Book that I picked out from recent returns solely due to the bright colouration and profanity on the cover turned out to be quite interesting. A self-help and psychology book rolled into one, but more so on the self-help side. It drifts away from the title of the book further in and goes generally into life goals, personal difficulties and how to overcome them, and relationships among other things. It is easily understandable and accessible. It includes anecdotes from Nimmo's experiences with helping patients relevant to the topics in each chapter. Even if you are content and/or happy with your life, it's still interesting to read. This is the first book of the sort that I've read though, so I don't really have anything to compare it against.
February 24, 2021
Do great tips and a very striking lesson/front cover 😂 I appreciate the tips and stories provided and there were times when I truly could relate to the examples given. Sometimes a few stories got me hung up without an ending but I understand that the message should matter more than the ending.
Thank you for the end summary- it was good to be able to get a list of takeaways from the book 👍👍
Thank you for the end summary- it was good to be able to get a list of takeaways from the book 👍👍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2023
Good as a high-level overview of what may help someone who is ‘busy as f*ck’, and offers some insight deeper than just self-help. A bit too much breadth and not enough depth, glossing over many topics just a little bit too fast, and perhaps at times with not enough tact. Regardless, a fascinating book with some excellent strategies.
May 28, 2023
After listening to the first chapter I was expecting a book filled with tips about slowing down the crazy and living a less ‘busy as f*#k’ lifestyle. But as I turned the last page I found myself wondering where all those tips were?
The author (who is a psychologist) does a great job of identifying a ‘busy as f*#k lifestyle’ and highlighting the impact this has on our lives, but I felt the book was lacking on strategies that readers could actually put into practice. I felt it was mostly anecdotal stories about her former patients, and how she helped them through various challenges. Don’t get me wrong, it was still interesting but that’s not what the book was about or what I thought I was getting into. I think if the book was marketed as a ‘psychologist sharing stories from her therapy couch’ then I reckon that would have spot on.
Give it a go if you are generally interested in self help books (general in nature), but if you are looking for tips to slow down in the rat race then I don’t know whether you will find it here.
The author (who is a psychologist) does a great job of identifying a ‘busy as f*#k lifestyle’ and highlighting the impact this has on our lives, but I felt the book was lacking on strategies that readers could actually put into practice. I felt it was mostly anecdotal stories about her former patients, and how she helped them through various challenges. Don’t get me wrong, it was still interesting but that’s not what the book was about or what I thought I was getting into. I think if the book was marketed as a ‘psychologist sharing stories from her therapy couch’ then I reckon that would have spot on.
Give it a go if you are generally interested in self help books (general in nature), but if you are looking for tips to slow down in the rat race then I don’t know whether you will find it here.
August 28, 2025
I went into this book expecting practical tips and strategies on how to slow down and manage a hectic lifestyle, but the content felt quite different from what the title and marketing suggest. Instead of actionable advice, most of the book reads more like a mix of anecdotes and general reflections about life goals, struggles, and therapy experiences.
While some sections were interesting and the author’s background as a psychologist adds credibility, I felt it lacked depth in terms of tools readers can actually apply. At times it also jumped across topics too quickly, which made it feel a little unfocused.
Overall, it’s not a bad read if you’re looking for light self-help blended with personal stories, but if you’re expecting a structured guide on how to be ‘less busy’ with clear strategies, you might end up disappointed. A bit misleading compared to what I thought I was picking up
While some sections were interesting and the author’s background as a psychologist adds credibility, I felt it lacked depth in terms of tools readers can actually apply. At times it also jumped across topics too quickly, which made it feel a little unfocused.
Overall, it’s not a bad read if you’re looking for light self-help blended with personal stories, but if you’re expecting a structured guide on how to be ‘less busy’ with clear strategies, you might end up disappointed. A bit misleading compared to what I thought I was picking up
December 29, 2022
I've read a handfull of self-help books and this one has proven to be fantastic. Her writing style is so easy to read and she incorporates both anecdotal stories, psychology methodology and short exercises that allow a reading experience that is illicites a lot of reflection.
It's kind of like going to see a therapist but without the hefty bill.
I'm glad I just happened to pick up this book-I wasn't sure what it would be about to be honest but I related with the title and was hoping it could give me the tools to manage my hectic life. It does.
It's kind of like going to see a therapist but without the hefty bill.
I'm glad I just happened to pick up this book-I wasn't sure what it would be about to be honest but I related with the title and was hoping it could give me the tools to manage my hectic life. It does.
September 16, 2021
As far as “self help” books go, this is up there for me. The Author challenges the modern badge of honour of busyness. She is a trained psychologist and even though the book is written through this lense, I really enjoyed it. She gives lots of helpful checklists, it almost feels like DIY therapy. Overall, a concise and practical book to help set your priorities in life in the right order so that you feel satisfied and happy.
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January 2, 2023This book was PERFECT for me, I found myself taking in so many things and it's the perfect thing to read at the start of a year, especially 2023 for me! I have a lot of big decisions coming up in the next year and this was great to put things into perspective for me. I really thought about my life goals, what I hope to accomplish, and also discovered that I need to take a step back from buying all of the special edition and subscription boxes...
June 9, 2021
This book was super well written, the content was fresh and relevant. The pace was good and the stories were relatable. There were times where the use of the term Busy as F*uck felt really repetitive but aside from that there were many take away items that I think can help reorganize a busy life.
August 24, 2021
I'm giving it four stars as it triggered a thought process on why I always find myself saying I'm busy when I feel the total opposite.
It's a good book to lay your priorities on the table and opt for which things matter the most to you.
It's a good book to lay your priorities on the table and opt for which things matter the most to you.
February 24, 2023
I listened to this audiobook and this is one I would recommend having the hard copy. There are ex roses to do which you can obviously still do on audio but it’s harder to capture them. The last section that serves as more of a summary of a balanced life was most helpful.
April 23, 2019
Superb book packed with helpful information for the journey of life x
June 8, 2019
The unintended consequences of this book is that it turns out to be one of the best personal development books I’ve ever read.
April 1, 2020
Great book, I enjoyed the different chapters and how she has quite a good way of breaking things down.
Thoroughly enjoyed it. :)
Thoroughly enjoyed it. :)
August 23, 2020
Read this type of thing many times before. Just the life of a mother I think.
May 16, 2023
I got this from the library, but I’m going to buy a copy because there’s so much practical advice that I’m sure I’ll use in all stages of my life
January 11, 2025
An easy read, free from psychology jargon & punctuated with profanities and hard truths. A valuable one to revisit from time to time when you need a good kick in the ass.
July 28, 2025
Blah. Not useful to me. Didn’t finish.
November 23, 2025
Didn’t looove, didn’t hate… found some useful wee nuggets in there, particularly around striking that old work/life balance and managing grief during hectic times.
December 27, 2019
Nimmo does a great job of identifying the current 'busy' lifestyle most people claim is theirs, and some of her opening remarks made me laugh (for example, I don't want my eulogy to include 'Kate was really busy'). However, the book was light-on for strategies that could be easily put in place to alleviate being busy - telling people to be kinder to themselves is far easier said than done, and rejecting certain roles (e.g. the 'people pleaser') is difficult if we have been in them for decades.
Rebranding what we already know.
1.5/5
Rebranding what we already know.
1.5/5
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews