How to Be Fearless: In 7 Simple Steps

by Jessica Hagy

"Using her cheeky signature graphs, Hagy keenly outlines the 7 steps that will desaturate your fear and alter the way you approach each day: with fresh purpose, power, and clarity.” 
—Meera Lee Patel, author of Create Your Own Calm and Start Where You Are

Ready to shake off worry and get to work, but not sure how to do that, or if it's even possible? This quick read from Jessica Hagy, master of the Venn diagram and author of the bestselling How to Be Interesting, will help you get started. Through insightful infographics and mood-boosting charts and messages, this little book will shift your thinking away from swirling doubt and help you find your path. Written like a gentle, encouraging a note from a friend, it's the perfect map for navigating life's challenges--and a helpful gift for new graduates, the newly married, the newly divorced, and the newly employed or unemployed.
    This bright and colorful small-format hardcover book fits easily into a bag or pack.

"This inviting handbook will be of aid to those in need of strategies to overcome anxious thoughts."
—Publisher's Weekly

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

208 pages, Hardcover

Published August 17, 2021

About the author

Jessica Hagy is best known for her Webby Award–winning blog Indexed. Her cartoons regularly appear in the New York Times, and she writes an online column for Forbes. Ms. Hagy lives with her family in Seattle.

Reviews

[Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one. The simplicity has its uses, but far too often for such a short book it made mental illness seem like a simple problem to be solved with the power of positive thinking. As most of us suffering from it know, that’s something people love to assert. It’s harmful. I don’t think that is the author’s intent, but it still felt far too close for comfort.

This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

[kiki thelibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love these books :)

[Cyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got a free copy for review.

I was a bit surprised by how much more of a Gift book it is than Self-Help (the pages are more like individual motivational quotes than a compiled book of helpful information or ideas).

I didn't love the color scheme, but otherwise its a very cute gift book.

[Nerea Blackthorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Repeat your hopes. Delete your doubts."

Thank you to the author, Sasquatch Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book talks about mental health. It's a self-help book. It contains its own quotes so beautifully drawn and illustrated.

'How to Be Fearless: In 7 Simple Steps' talks about the hopes that we have within ourselves, the fear that shows up to isolate and weaken us, the lies that are told by that fear that overwhelms us, the progress we should do on this matter,... It talks about many topics, many important topics.

In addition, the author writes and illustrates our wishes and strengths, our failings and tryings, the gratitude, the power we have to accomplish all we want and what we might do to overcome the fear within us.

How to be fearless?

The author also talks about the forms of fear and how it shows up, the connections with others, our value, how to forgive ourselves,...

"If you don't call for help, nobody will know you need it."

It encourages us to seek for help if we are suffering from this.

I really enjoyed this book a lot and it made me feel so comfortable while reading it.

This book comes out on 17th August 2021, so stay tuned!

#HowToBeFearless #Netgalley

[Daphne Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read straight through this whole book in 25 minutes. I ate it all in one bite, but I will come back to chew on various parts of it when I find those things applicable to my life. This is a brief, cute little book that I'm sure I will return back to in the times I find myself struggling with fear. If you were looking for something in-depth on how to overcome fear, this isn't it, but the graphics and diagrams were often more thought-provoking than I thought they would be. There are tons of "pin-up-on-your-wall" quotes (and diagrams). I was able to apply bits of the advice to my life now, and I think what Hagy has to say is applicable and realistic. Her diagrams are perhaps a bit unscientific, but they are a useful vessel for getting her points across. Also, I have to say, her handwriting is very clean and pretty! All in all, this book was nothing groundbreaking, but it was a cute little book to remind me of things I already knew and give me sayings and quotes to build myself up when necessary. I recommend it.

(I received a hardcover copy of this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. Though I am under no obligation to post a review as part of the giveaway, I am providing my honest feedback to thank the publisher for the free book.)

[Jenny So · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very visual and simplified advice, but some of it was trying too hard to be simplified to the point of not making sense. (Using venn diagrams and graphs was a good idea but they were not used correctly most of the time)
But I like that nothing was too specific so you can apply it to any situation. For me it was a good catalyst for reflection, but if you just read it with no direction I can see how it wouldn’t be that helpful.
Overall though it left me feeling good and I took pictures of lots of pages that I liked and found useful.

[Annette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to enjoy the Indexed website by this author and maybe this book is too much at once and bite size bits work better or maybe I am too old for this kind of self-help but there is nothing new or interesting here

thank you to Sasquatch and Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

[Flaneurette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to enjoy the Indexed website by this author and maybe this book is too much at once and bite size bits work better or maybe I am too old for this kind of self-help but there is nothing new or interesting here

thank you to Sasquatch and Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun. Overly simplistic, but that’s the nature of this style. Adheres to the belief that you can out-think fear and sometimes circumstances (and maybe even depression?) with awareness and connection, while I think it’s a *tad* more complicated than that.

But this makes a quick visual read and a fun gift or coffee table book for browsing.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book. I loved the sense of humor and cheeky drawings. Quotes like “your mind, like your underwear will repel fewer people if changed as needed.” Made me giggle and it’s true. Fun and easy read for a self help book.

I got this book from a good reads giveaway for free and I’m giving this review voluntarily.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just what I need right now. I love the way that I could spend time really reading the illustrated graphs. I love the surprise I felt realizing what was in the middle of a Venn diagram. The words and sentences are simple and spoke straight to me. I find myself remembering these messages when my mind becomes fearful. I am grateful for finding this book.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This self-help book was a quick and fun read. I enjoyed the quotes and illustrations. I do wish that there were some short essays. I love that you can read a page a day or read the entire book in one sitting.

*Thank you Netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.*

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received an ARC from NetGalley.

I've known Hagy's work from the wonderful Indexed comic, and this little book is enjoyable too. I like how she gets a lot of use out of the simple graphs she uses. The book was quick to read, and uplifting.

[T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This feels very much like a gift book, like something you'd give a graduate. Not a lot of info and some of the graphics are confusing. Not really inspiring to me. I wanted a little more from the book.

[Andrew Brindley · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute quotes and inspiration graphics designed to boost your mood. nothing really stood out to me because it was all written to be remembered. but nothing could be remembered because there was a lot of content. cute book, but nothing super insightful.

[Lynsea Montanari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good. The charts were a bit overwhelming and some of the content could have been more clear or straightforward. Still the content of the book was good. I like the message. I will most likely flip through again on an occasion.

[H. Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

You get exactly what you expect with this book with every step graphed out. Only took about 5-10 minutes to read through each of the steps. Very easy to do one a day or at a time. A great way to slip a little self-love into your day.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was simply written but helpful. I gave it to my teenage daughter and I think she may benefit from the basic points to give her strength in overcoming her fears and anxiety.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always find her work clever and inspiring.

[Tina Columbus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it. It was a short read but I enjoyed it.

[Andi Butler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many Venn diagrams… I much prefer Austin Kleon’s books, but that’s me. If you need it a little tougher advice, maybe this will work for you. I found it repetitive and a little boring.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Motivational and inspirational sayings, lots of illustrations and diagrams, quick read

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

This. Is. Pretty. Obvious.
: ]

[Barb Hildebrandt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waste of time.

[Courtney M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good inspirational quotes book.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short read (took me maybe half an hour, if that) but some fun visit all concepts to consider.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really thought this book was going to be full of trite Pinterest quotes but I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was insightful and have passed it along to others to read.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Estela-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elliott Bay Bookstore read at less than half an hour to closing—one of those “what if I turn the pages and find some quote that stays with me?” Sometimes, it only takes just one page.

[นีน]

very short and just bland