The Book of Moods : How I Turned My Worst Emotions Into My Best Life

To be fair, Ibe never been a big fan of self-help books, so I probably shouldnt have bothered with this one. But the reviews I had read said it was funny and irreverent and very relatable, and I have had issues with my moods (who hasnt?) so I gave it a shot. But I was bored. Maybe its because Im 20-something years older than the author, but she came off as a little (okay a lot) whiny to me. She threw tantrums about stuff like
being late to a movie or finding out her friends had gone for a drink without her, and I found myself thinking, honey, wait till you get downsized out of a job twice in the same year, or your husband leaves you (and your two kids) for his girlfriend, or your dad has cancer and your boss hates you. At one point, her husband tells her shes a spoiled brat, and I have to say I agree. I cant say I got my moneys worth out of this one.

The Book of Moods provides an incredibly accurate and relatable look at something so many of us deal with, our moods. And what are moods you ask? Lauren Martin explains it so perfectly on her Words of Women Instagram post that I had to share it here…

“When I talk about #moods I dont just mean generic emotions. I dont mean angry or sad or stressed. I mean those feelings we have that we cant explain. The suffocating feeling at the end of the day when you dont know what you want or need but you need something to stop whatever is going on inside. I mean the restlessness you feel even though you dont have anywhere to go. I mean the horrible feeling of looking in the mirror and feeling ugly even though yesterday you thought you looked great. I mean the feeling that something is wrong when everything is right and good and as it should be. These are moods. These feelings that come up and take hold and we dont know why or what to do about them.”

Everyone has these patterns of self-doubt, worries, and emotional triggers, but they can also feel so isolating because they really can come out of nowhere. Backed with research, personal stories, and self-reflection -Martin provides insight on how to better understand your own emotions, and stop them from becoming moods that can stop you in your tracks.

No matter how grateful we are for all the good things we have in our lives, everyday life is also made up of so many of the in-between moments of struggle and self-doubt. Instead of looking at these moments as a way to self-sabotage, we can use them as a powerful vessel to help us reflect, forge ahead, and ultimately transform ourselves and our paths forward.

What I loved most about this book is Martin’s honesty. Lauren Martin is most definitely in a different stage of life than me, but even if many of our daily struggles are different, we have something we common, we experience these kinds of emotions. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how many truly difficult situations you have endured, even when you regularly reflect on how fortunate you are in so many ways, there are going to be moments you just feel down.

Her quotes and anecdotes and advice normalize how you can be rocking along with work, an important project, etc, and then one small comment can make you question everything. We all have inner struggles and recognizing that these are a thing, can help us acknowledge them and then continue to move forward.

While I read this book on my kindle, as soon as I finished I pre-ordered a physical copy because it is the perfect book to highlight up the wazoo because there is just so much insight here. While we will never be able to control life or the people around us (wishful thinking right?) we do have the power to choose how we react. Emotions are a useful tool when we hold them, reflect on them, and then ultimately let them propel us ahead.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in change for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. You can read this and other book reviews at genthebookworm.com

My first boyfriend once gave me a mood ring (a souvenir from Destin, Florida – which is beside the point). Anyway, he said jokingly that it would help him figure out which girlfriend I would be that day. At 16 years old, I accepted his gift while feeling ashamed for my sensitivity, quick shifts of emotion, and my own inability to understand the moods I experienced.

Cut to the present – Im 34 years old and beginning to better understand myself and how I react to being a human, living in a world in which I have very little control.

I have to admit, I judged this book by its cover. And the title sold me instantly. This book details the moods experienced by author, Lauren Martin, and her journey in understanding them. The stories are vivid and relatable. Not to mention, Laurens insight into her own moods is supported by spiritual truths, psychology, and the indisputable experiences of well-known female authors, creators, and artists.

Whats that quote? An unexamined life is not worth living? Ill say this: Lauren has bravely examined her experiences, tendencies, and, most of all, her moods to deliver a book that is more effective than a souvenir mood ring. 😉

Buy this book. You wont regret it.

I have been a follower/fan of “Words of women” on Instagram for a while, and when I found out about this book I ordered right away. I JUST COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN! The way the author narrates her own challenges and journey to understand what “moods” are, felt like if she was talking to me about the same narrative I had in my head for years. I feel this book opened my eyes to ways I see myself and how to understand my feelings and “moods” without let them take control over my life. An amazing and very pleasant book to read, specially this year with so many challenges facing everyone. Every woman should read this!

Ana

First off, I read this book in two days, which I never do! Lauren’s writing pulls you in (you’ll never get bored). She incorporates science/data research to explain certain emotions/moods, which I found incredibly interesting. The quotes throughout the book are powerful. As a female in her thirties I found this book to be so relatable. Like, yep, that’s me, I’ve done that, thought that… She’s incredibly honest and vulnerable, which is what ultimately connected me to the book. Also, the way she evaluates her moods and understands where they’re coming from, allows us all to change our perspective on life. As she said, maybe my flight is delayed because I’m meant to meet someone. “…it reminds us that the greatest things that happen are usually the result of something worse that happened before.” Also, this line is simple, brilliant, and true: “That’s where magic happens – in the space in between what we think we want and what we get. When we’re forced down a road we wouldn’t be on if everything had worked out as we hoped.” Enjoy!

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