Overwhelmed — Brigid Schulte

Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has Time

When award-winning journalist Brigid Schulte, a harried mother of two, realized she was living a life of all work and no play, she decided to find out why she felt so overwhelmed. This book is the story of what she discovered—and of how her search for answers became a journey to understand what it will take to live a life of less stress and more leisure.

NPR and Washington Post Notable Book of the Year, 2014

Library Association of Virginia Literary Nonfiction Award, 2014

"Schulte takes a purely practical and secular approach to a question that philosophers and spiritual teachers have debated for centuries—how to find meaningful work, connection, and joy."

— Publisher's Weekly - Starred Review
"An eye-opening analysis of today's hectic lifestyles coupled with valuable practical advice on how to make better use of each day.”

— Kirkus Review
“Every parent, every caregiver, every person who feels besieged by permanent busyness, must read this book."

— Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America and author of Why Women Still Can’t Have It All
“Beautifully written, with searing facts, engaging stories, illuminating history, and wry personal observations. A must-read by a truly perceptive author!”

— John de Graaf, editor of Take Back Your Time: Fighting Overwork and Time Poverty in America
"[Schulte's] a detective in a murder mystery: Who killed America's leisure time, and how do we get it back?"

— Lev Grossman, Time
“Reflecting on her meticulous research, searching her feelings, and renegotiating the division of emotional labor with her husband, Tom, Brigid Schulte offers us a well-written and timely book, both witty and wise.”

— Arlie Hochschild, author of The Second Shift: Working Families and the Revolution at Home
“Overwhelmed is a time management book that’s not just about how to be more productive and effective—it’s about the broad and fascinating role time plays in our emotional satisfaction, our physical health, and even our notions of gender equality.”

— Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

2014 New York Times Best Seller
Washington Post’s Top 50 Notable Nonfiction Books of 2014
NPR’s Top Notable Nonfiction Books of 2014
2014 Virginia Library Award for Literary Nonfiction

Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has Time

"Schulte takes a purely practical and secular approach to a question that philosophers and spiritual teachers have debated for centuries—how to find meaningful work, connection, and joy."

"An eye-opening analysis of today's hectic lifestyles coupled with valuable practical advice on how to make better use of each day.”

“Every parent, every caregiver, every person who feels besieged by permanent busyness, must read this book."

“Beautifully written, with searing facts, engaging stories, illuminating history, and wry personal observations. A must-read by a truly perceptive author!”

"[Schulte's] a detective in a murder mystery: Who killed America's leisure time, and how do we get it back?"

“Reflecting on her meticulous research, searching her feelings, and renegotiating the division of emotional labor with her husband, Tom, Brigid Schulte offers us a well-written and timely book, both witty and wise.”

“Overwhelmed is a time management book that’s not just about how to be more productive and effective—it’s about the broad and fascinating role time plays in our emotional satisfaction, our physical health, and even our notions of gender equality.”