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  • I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t)

  • Telling the Truth about Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power
  • Written by: Brené Brown
  • Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
  • Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (412 ratings)

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I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t) cover art

I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t)

Written by: Brené Brown
Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
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Publisher's Summary

The quest for perfection is exhausting and unrelenting. We spend too much precious time and energy managing perception and creating carefully edited versions of ourselves to show to the world. As hard as we try, we can't seem to turn off the tapes that fill our heads with messages like, Never good enough! and What will people think?

Why? What fuels this unattainable need to look like we always have it all together? At first glance, we might think its because we admire perfection, but that's not the case. We are actually the most attracted to people we consider to be authentic and down-to-earth. We love people who are real; we're drawn to those who both embrace their imperfections and radiate self-acceptance.

There is a constant barrage of social expectations that teach us that being imperfect is synonymous with being inadequate. Everywhere we turn, there are messages that tell us who, what, and how were supposed to be. So, we learn to hide our struggles and protect ourselves from shame, judgment, criticism, and blame by seeking safety in pretending and perfection.

Based on seven years of ground-breaking research and hundreds of interviews, I Thought It Was Just Me shines a long-overdue light on an important truth: Our imperfections are what connect us to each other and to our humanity. Our vulnerabilities are not weaknesses; they are powerful reminders to keep our hearts and minds open to the reality that we're all in this together.

As Dr. Brown writes, "We need our lives back. It's time to reclaim the gifts of imperfection - the courage to be real, the compassion we need to love ourselves and others, and the connection that gives true purpose and meaning to life. These are the gifts that bring love, laughter, gratitude, empathy and joy into our lives."

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2007 Brené Brown (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

What the critics say

"Brené Brown’s ability to explore shame and resilience with humor, vulnerability and honesty is both uplifting and liberating. If we want to change our lives, our relationships or even the world, we must start by understanding and overcoming the shame that keeps us silent. This important and hopeful book offers a bold new perspective on the power of telling our stories." (Professor Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient; Campaign Ambassador, International Campaign to Ban Landmines)
"Grounded in exceptional scholarship and filled with inspiring stories, this is one of those rare books that has the potential to turn lives around." (Harriet Lerner, Ph.D., author of The Dance of Anger)
" I Thought It Was Just Me can be a doorway to freedom and self-esteem for many, many readers. (Martha Beck, Ph.D., columnist, O, The Oprah Magazine, and author of Finding Your Own North Star)

What listeners say about I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t)

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excellent for personal growth

I prefer "Gifts of imperfection" but this is still excellent. would be good if you're a parent.

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Humbling

An integral map to build humanity and kindness towards self and other so we can achieve a more connected world.

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Will listen again.

As a psych student, I found these insights to be very beneficial to my learning and practice!

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Decent read

Not as much actionable content as I would have liked but still a good read.

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Everyone should read (listen to) this.

Brene Brown has done the hard part of figuring out why we feel the way we do, all we need to do now is listen honestly and apply it bravely to our lives. The only thing that could have improved this book would be of it were narrated by Brene herself (nothing wrong with the narrator, but Brene's voice is already well known and comforting).

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  • Sjm
  • 2022-09-26

Prefer authors voice

I always prefer listening to the authors voice. I find it adds more to it, and keeps my attention when it’s Brene.

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Everyone should either read or listen to this!

I absolutely loved this audio book and plan on listening to it again. I highly recommend and will be buying a copy for my mom and best friend.

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Published in 2010- loved it, the narration was difficult

This is a book of Brené Brown’s early work so is less in depth as some but I still found it very valuable.

I love that BB shares her science based research in Laymans terms, sharing personal stories and human examples.

I found it to be an excellent resource, and a tool for thought-especially when combined with BBs more recent work.

I did find the narration difficult to get through; the narrator seemed to just be reading the pages which completely derails the depth of emotion BB writes with. Im thankful she narrates her own work now.

Regardless, the content made it very worth my time and I would recommend it.

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Amazing

The only thing I wish was different, was having Brené Brown actually narrate, because I have grown to love her through her audiobooks, and I find something very comforting in her voice. Otherwise, the content is amazing.

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Narrator

I wish Brené Brown would read her own audiobooks. The material is so much more compelling with her personality, character and inflections. Still 10/10 for the material

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