I’m normally sceptical of self-help books, which it seems to me often patronise or recycle old ideas to make a quick buck, so ‘The Burnout Survival Kit’ was a pleasant surprise. It’s an entirely engaging and enjoyable take on modern office life that rang true with me, as someone who is very much living it. The author is a freelance writer, but clearly knows a lot about working in a corporate structure as well. She provides great tips on coping with office politics, demanding bosses, managing workloads and, perhaps most critically of all right now, working from home.
Whilst I’m not convinced there is anything truly revolutionary here, what Imogen Dall does brilliantly is make the ideas and techniques she is writing about feel achievable. The book has a wonderfully conversational tone, and is packed with illustrations, giving it a very friendly vibe. I never felt lectured to, but rather like I was having a coffee with a friend who was giving me advice.
It’s that connection Dall makes with the reader that makes this book so worthwhile. Her tips seem heartfelt and arrived at from her own experience rather than other books or TED talks. You feel like she cares about your wellbeing, which gives her words far more power. What she presents is a holistic approach to managing workplace stress and the risk of burnout. It ranges from yoga to managing your finances, to pointers for avoiding the negative aspects of social media. It can feel a little scattershot at times, but the affable, often amusing style carries it. I’ve already adopted some of her suggestions and aim to incorporate more of them into my work routine.
If you’re feeling like work is getting on top of you, or even if you aren’t, it’s a book I thoroughly recommend.

I LOVED this and took pages and pages of notes. I will be buying paper copies to put in care packages aplenty.
(The formatting was a bit off in the review edition but I assume that’s fixed!)

This book will definitely be needed by A LOT of people at the moment. Due to the pandemic, a lot of people will be struggling - including myself.
This book is a great little pick-me-up during these tough times. It's great to dip in and out of, and the illustrations help to break up the book into easy chunks too.

Lots of good advice to take on board. Work, home life, personal life - lots to think about.

Surprisingly, good book, very apt for the time that the world is going through. I definitely recommend this book if you need a different perspective on life. Lots of great tips and ideas to get you through or if you are feeling brave, a change in direction.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.