Care: The radical art of taking time

by Brooke McAlary

From the internationally bestselling author of SLOW comes a new call-to-arms for a new approach to living well - for everyone.

There is little doubt that the world is in desperate need of care; however, despite the overwhelming global problems that face us, we can find ourselves caring too much, while at the same time caring too little. By spending so much time and energy caring about the big problems of the world, we've lost sight of what smaller, personal acts of care can look like and just how powerful these small acts can be.

Care: The radical art of taking time explores what it means to care in smaller ways - for ourselves, our loved ones and our communities - and discovers that caring doesn't need to cost us our wellbeing, happiness or relationships. That making simple changes to how we live, spending more time in nature, putting down our devices and connecting with each other face-to-face, finding awe and wonder in the world around us and remembering how to play, will have ripple effects that reach far beyond our own corner of the planet.

With unwavering compassion and understanding, Brooke McAlary takes us on a journey to rediscover the small pleasures that create large ripples, reminding us that no one needs to shoulder the burden of doing it all by themselves - we only need to cast our eyes forward and start small, with care.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Health, Nature, Lifestyle

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2021

Reviews

[Alisha Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing groundbreaking but a great reminder that small things matter and what you do can create waves of positive change.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading books in the “slow living”/minimalism space. I find they give me a recharge and some new ideas in regards to taking care of myself and the planet.

“Care” by Brooke Mcalary looks at at zoomed in perspective of self care. Looking after yourself through a variety of small actions as opposed to expensive and commercial self care products.

There are many tips and tricks that are common to this style of book e.g. getting out in nature, moving, making and connecting. Despite the fact that there is not a lot of new ideas, it is good to be reminded of helpful habits of self care.

The one negative I had was the copious amount of statistics (didn’t seem necessary), particularly in the chapter on “awe” (felt like a high school science class), which had more of a sedative effect than an awe inspiring one.

This is well worth a read if you are into this sort of book. If you are starting out I would recommend “Slow” by the same author https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... or “The Art of Frugal Hedonism” https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

[Kirsty Dummin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my time with this one, savouring it as I went. It’s simple, uplifting and useful. One I would recommend to almost anyone.

[Ann T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love The way Brooke writes so I was very excited to read her latest book, Care. We all need Care, for ourselves and others, more than ever and Brooke gives numerous examples of how this can look as well as the benefits for doing so. Care can look different from one person to another as well as from one day or season to another.

Like Brooke I love to get lost in a jigsaw, good book or spend time pottering in the garden but to others care can look very different, and that’s ok, you identify what works for you and create sacred space for it in your life.

Brooke covers how care can encompass a multitude of options including awe, healing, nature, play, connection and many more, so there is something that will appeal to everyone.

I really enjoyed reading this book over a number of weeks , a little at a time before drifting to sleep. Brooke has a magical way of the words she uses and brings together. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did and that it encourages you to ensure you care for yourself however possible.

[Alysia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t wait to receive Brooke’s new book and it was worth the wait!! I had to make myself go slowly through it and take time to think through each chapter. Looking forward to re-reading and implementing the suggestions within 😊

[Ita · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite is chapter 9 on healing, I'll stick the suggestions on the fridge to remind me to do the things that help me to heal.

[*Annemarie* Um.buchseites.breite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zusammenfassung
In "Care" von Brooke McAlary geht es darum, mehr auf sich selbst und seine Umwelt zu achten. Somit können kleine Effekte in Form von Wellen ausgelöst werden, welche Andere mitzureißen und somit die Welt ein kleines Stückchen besser machen. Hierbei geht es nicht um teure, zeitintensive Aktivitäten. Es geht darum, dass viele kleine Handlungen die eigene und die fremde Wahrnehmung stark verändern können. So kann beispielsweise ein kurzes Kompliment oder eine belanglose Interaktion einen großen Einfluss auf das Gefühl der Wertschätzung haben.
Die Kapitel sind in unterschiedliche Themen eingeteilt, neben Kapiteln wie beispielsweise Güte, Ehrfurcht und Natur haben Bewegung und Heilen ebenfalls einen Schwerpunkt gefunden. Nach jedem Kapitel gibt die Autorin Umsetzungsvorschläge für den Alltag mit. Dies sind kleine Vorschläge, die die Fürsorge einfach in den Alltag einkehren lassen. Ganz kleine Dinge für die man nicht mal Geld in die Hand nehmen muss und die dennoch das eigene Leben und das Leben anderer Menschen so sehr bereichern können.

Die gesamte Gestaltung ist sehr liebevoll. Die Covergestaltung lässt sich auf einen, im Buch oft thematisieren Effekt zurückführen. Der Welleneffekt entsteht immer dann, wenn wir mit der Fürsorge auch andere Menschen erreichen und diese dann ebenfalls mehr Fürsorge walten lassen. Eben diese Wellen stellt das Cover für mich dar. Die Kapitel sind in verschiedenen Farben klar voneinander abgegrenzt. Die stärksten Zitate aus dem laufenden Text werden manchmal separat noch einmal aufgezeigt und teils auch mit Illustrationen unterstützt.

Schreibstil
Der Schreibstil von Brooke McAlary gefällt mir sehr gut. Es wirkt sehr vertraut, wie sie von ihren eigenen Erfahrungen spricht und welche Aktivitäten ihr geholfen haben noch mehr Fürsorge zu betreiben. Sie beschreibt auch, dass sie es nicht als selbstverständlich sieht, dass man direkt alle Vorschläge konsequent durchsetzen kann und dass selbst das Nichtstun mit harter Arbeit und Willenskraft verbunden ist.
Ihre Ausführungen brachten mich oftmals zum Schmunzeln, zum Stauen und zum Nachdenken. Es ist ein wunderbarer Ratgeber mit vielen Hindergrundinformationen, welche die vorgebrachten Angaben stützen.
Zentraler Ansatz der Autorin ist es, den Leser auf die Schnelllebigkeit aufmerksam zu machen. Sie bietet Möglichkeiten aus dieser zu entfliehen und zeigt vor allem auf die technischen, internetfähigen Geräten unserer Zeit sowie die Lebenszeit, welche wir gewinnen, wenn wir das Handy einfach mal eine Stunde länger ruhen lassen. Doch dies alles sind nur Vorschläge, nie soll ein Zwang daraus werden. Brooke McAlary betont immer wieder, dass man sich lieber bewusst spontan entscheiden sollt eine Auszeit für die Selbstfürsorge zunehmen.

Fazit
Dieses wirklich wunderschöne Buch hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Brooke McAlary spricht viele wichtige und interessante Themen an. Hierbei ist es ganz normal, dass man sich nicht immer mit Allem identifizieren und in den Alltag einbinden kann. "Care" hat bei mir Interesse, Neugier und ein Gefühl der Bestätigung hervorgerufen, da man die ein oder andere Handlung ebenfalls wiederentdeckt hat, welche sich auch im eigenen Alltag bereits etabliert hat. Das Buch wird mich noch eine ganze Weile begleiten, nicht nur als Blickfang im Regal, sondern auch die Vorschläge im Alltag

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK this book is located in hippy, self care territory. Trigger warning for my goth friends...

It is a well written book. The purpose is to peel back - peel away - the layers of busyness, digitized panic, a confusion of shopping with living, and a disconnection with nature.

The desire is to provide a re-evaluation - a reconfiguring - of our relationship with time. It is a very successful argument. Well executed.

It is a gentle book that summons the 'lessons' of the pandemic. The challenge is that the ruthlessness of the political landscape - including bodily autonomy - makes it difficult to breathe through the injustices, or offer a child's pose in response to the Alt-Right. I understand she is arguing that we are exhausted by fighting the 'big' issues. But the big issues will crush our capacity to walk through nature, do some craft, and complete a Sun Salutation...

A calming book about care. In ruthless and frightening times.

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book as an audiobook, often while driving to and from work. It was so soothing! A wonderful act of care. I really loved this book. Some parts were exquisite. Some of the advice was nothing groundbreaking… but I guess it was a great reminder. Other parts blew me away… I especially enjoyed the section on maths and the vastness of the universe, big and small. That stuff never fails to knock my socks off. I have been feeling pretty burnt out lately, and this book is a great tool to map a path out of that. I think I will listen to it again. Like a verbal hug from a mother figure, so nourishing. Thank you Brooke.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written and designed. The chapters are all well considered, my favourites being nature and awe. With COVID lockdown fatigue setting in, this was just the book I needed to read. It raised my spirits and gave me many new ideas on ways to practice care not just for myself, but to advise family and friends. For those who may be new to the author, Brooke's podcast Slow Your Home, is more of this goodness.

[Paloma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Brooke! Such a refreshing book on care. I am tired of the wellness industry capitalising on people who are vulnerable and making them feel crap about not being responsible for their wellbeing! Brooke’s book is a much needed shift from the capitalist diatribe and focuses on meaningful activities that are easy to implement and will fill our cups and connection with others. This book is like a hug. I was familiar with the slow podcast so knew this book would offer something special. Thanks

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Brooke McAlary’s writing and insight. She and I are kindred souls. This book is beautiful inside and out. The only reason I gave 4 stars is because there wasn’t too much that was new to me. Probably because I have followed her podcasts and writing for a while. Her previous book was more enlightening to me. With that being said, I really enjoyed reading the book and I will continue to follow Brooke and her future work.

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pandemic era book about how changed we should all be when the world goes back to 'normal', and how we should NOT let it go back to normal; normal is not good for us.

Lately I keep hearing how many people are struggling with burnout, overwork, creativity loss and so on. COVID just made it all so much worse.

Take time to just sit and breathe. You know?

I really needed this.

4 stars

[Gabington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book comes at an opportune moment of mid-pandemic drift and listlessness. McAlary references the problems of climate change, racial injustice and social inequality. While I found some valuable messages, I had hoped the book would go further beyond care for self into mutual aid, kinship, and building an economy around social care. Maybe a sequel?

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved Brooke's first two books. This one was fine. Not amazing, but good. Her first two books gave me a lot of food for thought. This one was just - ok. However, it might be perfect for someone else - just not me.

[Ania · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me an opportunity to reflect and gave me ideas about how to slow down and enjoy the present. I read it once and then again and took notes in my journal. I would buy this book for a friend who is trying to make changes in life even if they are small.

[Oliwia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ciężko przebrnąć przez tą książkę, brak jakichkolwiek pożytecznych rad. Ciężko mi wywnioskować do kogo ona jest skierowana, brzmi jak lament nad złym światem i telefonami. Ciągle gadanie o tym samym, szkoda czasu.

[Katie Steuerwald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the suggestions at the end of each chapter. A good reminder to savour life

[Jacquie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had opportunity but wasn't aiming high to grasp my interest.

[z00zaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that there were a lot of simple but good suggestions. Nothing groundbreaking but definitely a feel good heart-warming book.

[Katbarcenilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought provoking read with lots of activities to try.

[Caitlin O'Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A relaxing audiobook listen with some good insights, but I can’t say I found it too helpful or groundbreaking.

[Dianne Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a book about caring for yourself - its a pick up and put down coffee table type book but beautifully written and 4 stars

[Mel Sweeney (mels.bookshelf_) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Purchased this after devouring Brooke’s first novel ‘Slow’ which I absolutely loved! Care dives into the art of taking time and ‘explores what it means to care in smaller ways - for ourselves, our loved ones and our communities’. A visually beautiful book, and very easy to read. Nothing groundbreaking or incredibly new, but still an enjoyable read and a nice reminder to slow down and take care.

[Charlotte]

This is a lovely book, and I would go out of my way to recommend it. Specifically, I would recommend listening to the audio book, which Brooke presents herself. I liked the topics in this book, and the easy-to-follow format. Whilst there is nothing groundbreaking, it's a lovely reminder about true (not commercial) self care.

[Georgy Mcdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grateful for Brooke’s book, it’s the perfect antidote for a crazy Covid world. So many wonderful ideas.

[Angela Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book that you can go back to ovwr and ober. Simple ways to help yourself in all aspects of 'care'.