42 pages • 1-hour read
Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose
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Discussion Questions
Content Warning: The section of the guide features discussions of anxiety and mental illness.
General Impressions
Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. What was your favorite part of the book and why? What was your least favorite?
2. Beck uses neuroscience, meditation, and life coaching in her approach to managing anxiety. Does this approach offer anything new? If so, what do you find unique about her argument?
3. Do you agree that nurturing creativity is the key to reducing anxiety? Why or why not?
4. Beck positions herself as both expert and fellow anxiety sufferer throughout the text. Do you find her personal anecdotes effective? Why or why not?
Personal Reflection and Connection
Encourage readers to reflect on how the book relates to their own life or work and how its lessons could help them.
1. Beck claims that Western culture trains people to activate anxiety spirals. When you were growing up, what messages did you receive about productivity, self-worth, and emotional expression? How might these have shaped your current relationship with anxiety?
2. Do you have an internal dialogue? If so, how does it sound during periods of anxiety? How might treating anxiety as a frightened creature rather than an enemy change your self-talk?
3. Looking at your current career and lifestyle choices, which elements authentic versus ones you’ve accepted to meet social expectations? How might you change one of these to fit your wants and needs better?
4. The book advocates for pursuing multiple income streams around creative pursuits rather than climbing a single career ladder. Do you like this idea? What practical barriers might you face in pursuing this approach?
5. Beck notes that one-third of Americans are sleep-deprived. Does this apply to you? If so, do you intend to try Beck’s idea of giving yourself four days of complete rest? Why or why not?
Real-World Relevance
Prompt readers to explore how the book fits into today’s professional or social landscape.
1. Beck wrote this book during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, when anxiety rose dramatically. Are her solutions still relevant, or are they particular to that moment?
2. How practical is Beck’s advice to pursue multiple creative careers? What real-world barriers might prevent someone from doing so?
Practical Applications
Encourage readers to share and consider how the book’s lessons could be applied to their personal/professional lives.
1. Which techniques, such as sensory awareness or Internal Family Systems, are you most curious to try? What might help you maintain this practice?
2. The concept of “glimmers”—sensory experiences that signal safety to your nervous system—requires identifying what genuinely calms you. Have you discovered any glimmers through reading this book? If so, how might you deliberately incorporate them into your life?
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