I’ve become one of those people who buys the books of people they watch on YouTube, it’s the least I can do if they’ve provided me hours of entertainment (or at the very least background noise). Leena Norms does a lot of videos on a lot of things, climate change, Wicked, books and my favourite, sewing. Given I’ve enjoyed her takes on a lot of things, I pre-ordered her book when she announced it.

I think the oddest part of reading the book, was reading / hearing it in her voice. Which isn’t something I normally do, given I don’t know what most of the authors I read sound like. It would be funny to listen to the audiobook and see if it matched my imaginary Leena voice.

Regardless, it was a very enjoyable read, and I think a welcome one for anyone who doesn’t feel like changing their entire existence because, like me, they work full time jobs and are just tired and old. Some of the advice I sort of already do, having gotten to a certain age and learned a lot. However, even those were relayed with such a joyous, warm and funny delivery, that I didn’t mind the reinforcement.

Roughly, the idea is that you should half arse a lot of things, because that’s better than not starting anything at all, or trying to be overly ambitious and quitting anyway. I found the chapter on veganism (the chose topic to cover being more sustainable, especially helpful. Basically because I have been half-arsing my way to becoming a vegan (from being a vegetarian for the past 2+ decades). As Leena points out, it’s not about perfection, it’s about essentially iterating yourself to the point where you want to be. Last year I made the decision to be vegan at home, which I’d say I’ve had about a 90% success rate. If I can’t find vegan cheese, sometimes I buy normal cheese, for example. But I never buy dairy milk anymore, and honestly don’t even like it anymore. But if I had been too strict and harsh about it all, I would have failed, and maybe not as got as far as I have.

The chapter I most enjoyed was just about half arse hope, and the bit in there about connecting with people. Like Leena I have moved out of the area where most of my friends are, and have not made a lot of new ones in this area (though I have the first book club meeting this weekend, which I am genuinely excited by.) But even finding new friends will be a long term goal, I did make the impromptu resolution to just have video chats and coffee dates with people I already know, something low key and achievable to get me out of my recluse like existence.

Anyway, it was a delightful read and was a gentle prod to follow up (half-arsed) on things I’ve wanted to do but also don’t bother with things that I don’t want to do or find important. Highly recommend as a New Year’s read, as it’ll help with any new year, new you anxieties you may have.