First, a blurb from the publisher: “From internationally recognized inquiry teacher and life coach Meadow DeVor comes the invitation you’ve been waiting for: Stop living as if worthiness is for someone better, thinner, smarter, or more successful, and start living with self-worth. (Yes! Self-worth is something you can learn and practice, and The Worthy Project tells you how.)“
Pros:
- The book offers actionable advice (including examples and exercises) in a variety of life domains to improve the listener’s self-worth (e.g. finances, relationships, etc)
- The last section of the book, which talks about gratitude, allowing, and owning, was both insightful and passionately delivered. It really hammered home the idea that everyone is worthy, even as we receive innumerable blessings from the world and those around us. (Who could be worthy of a sunset, for example?)
- The book is both short and digestible, clocking in at about 4.75 hours. I wouldn’t try to complete it in a single sitting, but I could definitely finish it in a day or two.
Cons:
- While I appreciate the message that The Worthy Project professes, I can’t help but wonder whether or not a few sessions of therapy might be as (if not more) valuable? It’d certainly be more personalized, if nothing else.
- Beyond that, while I think the core message of the book is moving for individuals, it doesn’t take into account some of the systematic issues that people may face (e.g. racism, sexism, homophobia, etc). I guess you could argue that it is outside the scope of the book, but to me it seems like a missing piece of the puzzle. In other words, if society says you are not worthy, won’t you have to work that much harder manifest the most worthy version of yourself? DeVor also mentions it in passing in the context of “toxic guilt,” (ie feeling bad for something you can’t control), but the work only really considers this kind of guilt from a place of privilege in the text (and, again, conveniently avoids more systematic, societal issues).
Conclusion:
I’m of two minds about this book. On one hand, I found some of the messages and exercises moving, and I think it is valuable to both ask for and seek out what you are worth. I just couldn’t quite get past some of my underlying concerns about the book (e.g. that it strikes me as a watered down version of cognitive behavioral therapy, repackaged in a way that conveniently side-steps systematic issues of oppression and injustice). Ultimately, if you’re an avid consumer of self-help media, this is unlikely to change your world. If the publisher’s blurb appeals to you, or if you are a fan of DeVor, however, this may be worth a look.
Check it out here.
You may also enjoy…
- “Unfu*k Yourself,” by Gary John Bishop
- “Peace is Every Step,” by Thich Nhat Hanh
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