"That's the dilemma that will almost surely keep Oliver Burkeman busy: His counsel that life's problems can't really be solved only primes his audience to want more advice . As Burkeman's ideas seep into my bones, so--slowly--does the reality that I'm going to be bumping up against the rough edges of life every day, even every hour, until I die. The nubbiness, the initial recoil followed by a kick of recognition--yes, I'm off-balance: This is the point." --Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic "The kind of pep talk I can get on board with . Burkeman's insight--always clear-eyed and jargon-free--backs up, in a reassuring and constructive way, the other sense I have on more forgiving days . that it's better for you and everyone around you to work with, rather than fight against, who you are now." --Simon Usborne, The Guardian " Meditations for Mortals provides useful answers to the questions of when and why you should give up: you should do it when your optimized, productivity-hacked life starts to feel constricting, deadening, or unrealistic, so that you can get more value out of your all-too-brief existence." --Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker "Thoughtful, level-headed and useful .

Burkeman doesn't offer life hacks. He offers thoughts that might nudge us towards changing our underlying attitudes." --James McConnachie, The Times "A bracing read . Burkeman is a friendly presence on the page . Stop denying the reality of whatever predicament you are in, he writes. Learn how to play in the ruins of your life." --Elaine Moore, Financial Times "Liberating and humane." -- Kirkus Reviews " Meditations for Mortals offers a bracing and refreshing antidote for what ails high achievers.

With crackling wit and counterintuitive wisdom, Burkeman shows that it's okay--and often smarter --to do less, let some goals slide, and embrace our imperfections. This book is both a comfort and a challenge--exactly what our trying times demand." --Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Regret "More than a book of ideas, Meditation for Mortals offers a practical path toward personal transformation--one that helps you sidestep the shallow allure of frenetic busyness and find a liberating joy in the limits and imperfections of life. A must-read." --Cal Newport, New York Times bestselling author of Slow Productivity and Deep Work "Full of wisdom and comfort. I enjoyed every page and read it in a single sitting. This is a really important book about embracing truth and reality.

" --Chris van Tulleken, New York Times bestselling author of Ultra-Processed People "I follow Oliver Burkeman's personal, literary, and journalistic adventures into wisdom with admiration and exhilaration. Now he brings us a 'retreat of the mind' in a very special book. We should all read this, preferably in the company of others--for the sake of our aching world as well as the state of our souls." --Krista Tippett, host of On Being "Oliver Burkeman has a way of giving you the most unexpected productivity advice exactly when you need it." --Mark Manson, bestselling author of Everything is F*cked and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.