One sentence summary
Zen as F*ck Journals by Monica Sweeney teaches mindful living, self-care, and the journey to achieving peace of mind and contentment by embracing self-compassion and realistic expectations.
Book genre
Zen as F*ck Journals is a self-help and personal growth journal for those who want to achieve peace of mind and contentment.
Main topic of the book
Monica Sweeney’s Zen as F*ck Journals focuses on mindful living, self-care, embracing self-compassion, and achieving realistic expectations as the pathway to a peaceful and contented life.
Key ideas of the book
- Cultivating mindfulness: Zimmerman teaches the importance of focusing on the present moment and developing an awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and reactions.
- Embrace self-care: Sweeney encourages self-care practices such as making time for creative activities and learning to recognize and work through difficult emotions like guilt, shame, and fear.
- Self-compassion: Sweeney discusses the importance of self-compassion and how to practice it, as well as providing helpful coping strategies and solutions to many of life’s challenging situations.
- Realistic expectations: Sweeney helps readers identify and prioritize realistic goals while recognizing that perfectionism is unachievable and not necessary for a fulfilling life.
Main parts of the book and a short summary
Zen as F*ck Journals is divided into three main parts.
- Part I explains the basics of mindfulness, providing advice on how to practice and develop it in your everyday life.
- Part II focuses on self-care and self-compassion, and includes activities and journaling prompts designed to help readers nurture their inner selves and recognize the importance of taking care of themselves.
- Part III covers how to develop realistic expectations of oneself and of life, and how to find peace and contentment in the present moment by embracing the journey and letting go of perfect results.
Key takeaways
- Focusing on the present moment and developing an awareness of your thoughts and emotions can help cultivate mindfulness.
- We must practice self-care and self-compassion, recognizing our own worth and learning to process difficult emotions.
- Realistic goals and expectations are vital to finding peace of mind and contentment.
- Prioritizing realistic goals while letting go of perfectionism is key to achieving a fulfilling life.
Author’s background and qualifications
Monica Sweeney is a professional life coach, mindfulness teacher, and creative who has worked in the fields of health, wellness, and positive psychology for over two decades. She holds an M.A. in Environmental Studies, Certificate of Professional Development in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, and a Certificate of Psychological First Aid.
Target audience
Zen as F*ck Journals is a must-read for those looking for an actionable guide on how to practice mindfulness, self-care, and self-compassion. The book is suitable for all readers- regardless of age or background.
Publisher and first publication date
Zen as F*ck Journals was published by New Harbinger Publications in April 2021.