A book that fosters change in a healthier, more compassionate light.
Lose 20 pounds without diet or exercise! Cure diabetes with this simple breakfast hack! Better sleep in as little as three nights! We’ve all seen flashy claims like these, offering big results with little effort. Even knowing they’re clickbait, we’re drawn in because many of us are on a journey of self-betterment, and the promise of a quick fix holds real appeal. Shouldn’t change be as simple as the flip of a switch? Our culture is obsessed with speedy results and instant transformations, but Kerisma Vere’s nurturing book, The Light Switch Myth: A beginner’s guide to creating realistic and sustainable change, is the truth we all need to hear.
Vere’s self-affirming guide explains, then debunks, what she cleverly refers to as the light switch myth. This myth perpetuates the destructive idea that change is an all-or-nothing, win-or-lose, once-and-done action. Then, if we fail to achieve the change we seek, we feel frustration, hopelessness, and the weight of failure. Vere identifies the societal conventions that reinforce this idea and then tackles them head-on with sound reasoning, a steady hand, and a relatable voice. She includes assessments to gauge where we are, prompts to help us reflect on the information, strategies to help us move forward on our individualized paths, and personal anecdotes to see what her suggestions look like in real life. Rather than an overgeneralized guide pulled only from dry academic sources, Kerisma Vere’s advice is the culmination of lived experience. Her voice is authentic, her ideas powerful, and the entire book is a treasure trove of practical wisdom.
Filled with hard-won wisdom, The Light Switch Myth is a book that fosters change in a healthier, more compassionate light. For readers who are tired of the shame and fatigue that come from perfectionism, terms like flexibility, compassion, and patience will feel like a warm hug. There are many motivating ideas and down-to-earth examples to help with goals as diverse as adopting a healthy diet to paying off crippling debt. One section illustrates that change unfolds more like a journey along a road than the flip of a switch. There are choices, delays, detours, but still a path. Vere keeps up this fitting metaphor long enough to convince audiences that change is a spectrum, and that if we ease up on our inner critic, we open ourselves up to gentle, positive growth. An enlightening book about reframing our view of success and progress, The Light Switch Myth is an approachable way to bring about sustainable change, adopt realistic expectations, and embrace ourselves.
