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The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary
Non-member price: $30.38
Publisher's Summary
From the Sunday Times best-selling author.
We're told that happiness is in the extraordinary. It's on a Caribbean sun lounger, in the driving seat of a luxury car, inside an expensive golden locket, watching sunrise from Machu Picchu. We strive, reach, push, shoot for more. 'Enough' is a moving target we never quite reach.
When we do brush our fingertips against the extraordinary a deeply inconvenient psychological phenomenon called the 'hedonic treadmill' means that, after a surge of joy, our happiness level returns to the baseline it was at before the 'extra' event.
So, what's the answer?
The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary theorises that the solution is rediscovering the joy in the ordinary that we so often now forget to feel. Because we now expect the pleasure of a croissant, a hot shower, a yoga class, someone delivering our shopping to our door, we no longer feel its buzz. The joy of it whips through us like a bullet train, without pause.
Catherine Gray was a grandmaster in the art of eye-rolling the ordinary and skilled in everlasting reaching. Until the black dog of depression forced her to rethink everything.
Along the way, she discovered some surprising realities about the extraordinaries among us: that influencers risk higher rates of anxiety and depression, high rollers are less happy and huge frothy weddings increase the likelihood of divorce.
Learning how to be exalted by the everyday is the most important lesson we can possibly learn. In Catherine Gray's hilarious, insightful, soulful (and very ordinary) next book, you may learn to do just that.
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Average Customer Ratings
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- crystal1113
- 29-12-2019
Amazing, absolutely loved this book!
Catherine reads so well and this book has been so refreshing to listen to. Has really helped me in my self healing journey. Catherine is realistic in her advice and isn't at all pushy or judgemental. She also shares her own journey which is endearing and relatable.
I'll be recommending this to all of my friends.
A must read!!
1 person found this helpful
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- Katie
- 14-02-2020
Loved it
After finishing the Unexpected Joy of Being Sober nearly 6 months ago, and being sober ever since, I knew I’d love this book too - wonderful and beautifully written 💕💕💕
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- Anonymous User
- 30-01-2020
amazing!
loved this book.. so relatable and has really helped me to feel joy at the ordinary things in my life!
Love Catherine even more now I know she has a gu dessert addiction just like me!
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- Amazon Customer
- 29-01-2020
You! But in a way that makes sense!
I honestly feel like I understand myself a little bit better after reading this beautifully relatable, utterly charming, brave and honest, audited account of a life lived, loved and saved. ✌️
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- CEM
- 28-01-2020
Only relatable if you are in your 20s or 30s!
Whilst I think that there is some useful information in this book I found the authors stereotyping of baby boomers, yes I am one of them, really annoying. Believe it or not some of us do understand how difficult it is for people to get on the housing ladder in todays market. Some of us can even use a smart phone too and shop online!
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- michelle tarr
- 19-01-2020
brilliant
loved this book that much I want to listen to it all over again !! and I will xx
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- caroline Wishney
- 17-01-2020
Loved it!
I really enjoyed this book, and it opens up a side to exploring gratitude that not skin deep but explains how to really appreciate the ordinary things in life.
It’s really funny at times and sometimes very sad but overall a very enjoyable read.
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- tania
- 16-01-2020
Loved this book.
I did not want this to finish. Excellent book, profound and funny. Highly recommend
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-01-2020
I love this book so much
Catherine Gray is a kindred Spirit I All her books including this one touch my heart and give me joy.
it's almost everything I think & then more but could not write so eloquently. Thank you Catherine.
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- Lindsay BLACKMAN
- 07-01-2020
A delight
Well written
Interesting
Enjoy the ordinary things in life
Thank you Catherine for another great book