'Freedom to be us in full glory and messiness ... a fun and freeing read' Melissa Hemsley 'A powerful, freeing, thought-provoking read' Anna Mathur 'For most of my life, I've lived as though there's a Platonic ideal of me, and if I just try hard enough, I can be it. That, my friends, is nuts.' Most of us spend our lives trying to be a better version of ourselves - happier, healthier, fitter, calmer, selfless ... But what if all the things that we're supposed to be striving for aren't all they're cracked up to be? What if we leaned into our 'lesser' traits instead? Be Bad Better calls into question our constructed ideas of 'good' and 'bad' and relentless pursuit of self-improvement. From anger to messiness, laziness to aging, it deconstructs our so-called flaws and instead offers a radical framework for self-acceptance. Fascinating and furious, Be Bad Better shows us that we do not have to be good, and not trying so hard will set us free.

A fascinating guide to re-evaluating our ideas of 'good' and 'bad' and embracing every part of ourselves

About the Author
Rebecca Seal is a journalist, TV presenter and author based in London. She has written for broadsheet newspapers and magazines all over the world, and appears as an expert on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch. She has been freelance for over 12 years, is the host of The Solo Collective podcast and the author of the bestselling book Solo: How to Work Alone (and Not Lose Your Mind).

Reviews
What a powerful, freeing, thought provoking read this is. I let out a breath I hadn't even realised I was holding. In finding fresh acceptance of your badness, you can welcome a more authentic and fulfilling life. This is an invitation to stop labelling our behaviours and emotions as 'good' or 'bad', so that we might find compassion and transformative acceptance of all that lies in between -- Anna Mathur
Calmly and systematically unpicking the notion of "goodness" (especially in girls and women), Seal explores how being "angry, sad, messy, tired, soft and round" is not only fine but actually can boost all aspects of our lives from our imaginations to our relationships * Stylist *
Invites us to ditch the "new year, new you" resolutions, and consider how they can have a positive effect on our lives ... This is an antidote for anyone feeling burnt out from trying to always "do better" * Psychologies *
Wow. What a relief. This is the ultimate guide to letting yourself off the hook in the most productive and sensible way. A self-help guide for people who are resistant to self-help. Packed with reassuring advice and fascinating research, Be Bad, Better carefully debunks powerful cultural myths about productivity and "the perfect life". I loved it -- Viv Groskop, author of HAPPY HIGH STATUS: HOW TO BE EFFORTLESSLY CONFIDENT
As a recovering perfectionist and former try hard 'teachers pet good girl', Rebecca's book on being bad, better has been music to my ears. An anthem! A permission slip! Freedom to be us in full glory and messiness. It's amazing how exhausting and time consuming striving to be good is. This handbook of reassuring stories from around the globe on being truly you, all sides of you, is a fun and freeing read -- Melissa Hemsley
Praise for Solo: How to Work Alone (and Not Lose Your Mind): -- -
Kind, realistic and genuinely helpful * Observer *
Sound advice ... invaluable in years to come * Herald Scotland *
Filled to the brim with advice ... a brilliant book -- Emma Gannon
Bravo on the publication of this witty, wise guide to solo working -- Alice Lascelles
Improve your home working routine * Guardian *



Book Information
ISBN 9781800816886
Author Rebecca Seal
Format Paperback
Page Count 400
Imprint Souvenir Press Ltd
Publisher Profile Books Ltd