Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Women: Simple and Practical Ways to Do What Matters Most and Find Time for You [ABRIDGED] [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Kristine Carlson (Author, Reader), Richard Carlson (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2001

For women everywhereencouraging and soothing advice on reducing stress and increasing enjoyment, from the co-author of the New York Times bestselling Dont Sweat the Small Stuff in Love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An easy-to-read collection of short essays meant to uplift and inspire soccer moms everywhere, this addition to the Don't Sweat the Small Stuff series offers nothing more nor less than its predecessors. Carlson (whose husband, Richard, wrote the original book) joined him in writing Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love. This time, she relates many first-person stories from her own life and those of her friends in a just-between-us-girls tone that's based in part on gender stereotypes (e.g., "our gift of female intuition"; "our sensitive natures"). Her chatty pep talks cover such topics as comparing oneself to media images, overextending oneself, preventing and coping with stress and learning to say "no." Carlson advises women to appreciate their children's "fleeting" childhoods, to speak and listen from a place of love, to swallow angry words and gossip, to take time for themselves, to nurture friendships with other women and to keep tabs on their financial position and marketability in case they lose their spouse through death or divorce. Unfortunately, she misses a few good opportunities to offer important information, as in her breezy entries on PMS and mammograms. Aimed at people whose problems are mostly "small stuff," this small tome offers little to offend and much to calm and comfort. (Apr.)Forecast: Though probably destined to join the other Don't Sweat the Small Stuff titles on the bestseller list, this one faces more competition than the first books in the series did, and may not match their numbers in the long-term.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Best-selling author Richard Carlson, Ph.D., creator of the popular Don't Sweat the Small Stuff series and the just published Don't Get Scrooged, died suddenly of cardiac arrest enroute to New York on December 13. Carlson, 45, published his first book in 1985 and went on to publish more than 20 books that remain popular in English and in translation in 130 languages and 35 countries. Richard Carlson grew up in Piedmont, CA. He received his undergraduate degree from Pepperdine University and his Ph.D. in psychology from Sierra University. He was in private practice as a psychotherapist when he started to publish books about psychological and spiritual health. As his books started to attract a large audience, he began writing full time so he could teach more people how to live with presence and ease by cultivating gratitude and generosity. Dr. Carlson was a large supporter of and participant in the National Center for Family Literacy and at the time of his death he was working on a project with them called for "A Penny a Book" from publishers, authors and literary agents to promote literacy. Dr. Carlson is survived by his wife and life partner of 25 years, Kris Carlson, his co-author on Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love and the author of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Women, his loving daughters Jasmine and Kenna, sisters, Kathleen Carlson Mowris of Olympic Village, CA and Anna L. Carlson of La Selva Beach, CA, and his parents, Barbara and Don Carlson of Orinda, CA. A private memorial service will be held next week. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in Richard's honor to local food banks, Challenge Day, Girls Inc. or Children Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Hyperion; Abridged edition (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786871512
• ISBN-13: 978-0786871513
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #601,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Books on Cassette > Authors, A-Z > ( C ) > Carlson, Richard
  • #35 in Books > Books on Cassette > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology

More About the Author

Expanding on the tremendous success of her late husband, Dr. Richard Carlson, Kristine Carlson captivated readers worldwide with her first three bestsellers, "An Hour to Live, An Hour to Love: The True Story of the Best Gift Ever Given", "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love" and "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Women."

Her most recent book, "Heart Broken Open", is a courageously honest memoir of her personal journey through the depths of grief and mourning after the sudden and unexpected loss of her husband. This powerful book has gained the attention and earned accolades of readers and media across the globe.

In 2010 Kris was honored with the Kennedy Laureate Award by John F. Kennedy University. This acknowledgment was also given to Alice Waters and Dr. Sanjay Gupta for their work in the area of mental, physical, spiritual health and well being. Kris is a regular contributor to M Magazine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Protecting Yourself From the Irritations of Life, September 30, 2002

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Women: Simple and Practical Ways to Do What Matters Most and Find Time for You (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Series) (Paperback)

How do women become so wise and resilient? And why do we sweat the small stuff so much? Is there some balance, some moment when you realize that most of it is all small stuff?

Kristine Carlson is married to Richard Carlson and together they show great insight into the everyday life. Their books can seriously start to change your life if you use the principles they present in these easy-to-read compact books. I especially like their "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love" book and I think it helped me improve my own relationship considerably by making me realize that one of the most important needs humans have is to be listened to. I had never really thought about what the other person needed in conversation, always so busy jabbering on. Wow, that was quite a revelation to me and it changed my entire view of conversation.

Expect real revelations from these books. They are more than enlightening. Sometimes a simple awareness of an issue can trigger an entire thinking pattern that will help you make changes. When reading this book a highlighter is essential!

Kristine discusses why you should set aside time every morning to reflect. See, that is a good excuse to spend a little time in the morning chatting online? Right? Ok, well I think that she actually meant spending time alone thinking about your day.

As you move into your day, you try to get organized and at times the entire day feels like it is falling apart. Have you noticed that if you pick up the house in the morning, the entire day is more enjoyable? Kristine gives herself an hour each morning to clear the path of her day. She spends time each morning organizing her life. I loved her thought about laundry. A gentleman she met makes folding clothes a Zen meditation. Ok, so I am not burning candles while I fold towels, but I try not to be as stressed about it all.

Some of her ideas include:

Make Peace with The Mundane - Sometimes life just IS.
Ground Your Energy in Nature - Take a walk in the evening.
Protect Your Inner Flame - Nurture yourself.

Plan an Inspiration Flow Day - Just go with the flow...oh, what fun this type of day is. It is very freeing and you do just what occurs to you. I write the most reviews on these types of days. They might include reading a great book, watching a movie, sitting outside with the cats, making dinner, writing in a journal, exercising. On other days, you might feel like just leaving the house for most of the day and forgetting about that load of laundry, those dishes, etc. Just escaping can be most freeing.

Walk Through Open Doors - A positive attitude shows you more open doors.

Let Go of "Perfect" Plans - have a sense of humor when things don't work instead of crying your eyes out. Dissapointment is so hard to take when you have very high expectations.

Climb Your Mountain One Step at a Time - set goals, but take it one step at a time.

Save Pot Stirring for Cooking Dinner (I really liked that one!)
Gather and Let Go
Define Your Small Stuff

This is a collection of essays that will inspire you and you will learn to appreciate people in your life, swallow your anger, take time for yourself and nurture your friendships.

Use this as a way to make your own list of things you want to change in your life.

Then:

Go run in a rain puddle
Light Candles while you watch a movie
Think about Beautiful Moments
Start a Journal
Say something inspirational to a friend
Tell someone in your life you love them
Let some things go, don't obsess so much (ok, but it is hard to do!)

Define what is not really important then imagine it drifting away on a small boat, down the river in front of you. After all, who has time for all that baggage.

Read this book to help you see the really important things in life.

Great Insight! You might even want to buy a few copies for
all your friends. That reminds me to add a few to my
wish list!

~The Rebecca Review
Author of Seasoned with Love: A collection of
best-loved recipes inspired by over 40 cultures

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Happier Women, March 5, 2002

By 

H. Regent (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Women: Simple and Practical Ways to Do What Matters Most and Find Time for You (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Series) (Paperback)

This cheerful book aims to make us stop and smell--if not roses--whatever is sitting in front of our noses. It is just like the other series of "Don't Sweat" books but with a women-minded twist. It offers meditations designed to make us appreciate our lives, keep our emotions in perspective, and cherish other people. I also highly recommend "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Little Book of Eastern Wisdom" by Taro Gold. If we all followed the guidance in these books, we would be happier, more harmonious women.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of fresh air!, June 24, 2001

By 

Rebecca Brown "rebeccasreads" (Clallam Bay, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Women: Simple and Practical Ways to Do What Matters Most and Find Time for You (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Series) (Paperback)

Do you let all the small stuff in your life make you miserable? Are you ready to look at your "issues" about cleanliness, perfection & being stoic? When you get upset, does it last forever?

Thanks to our foremothers, we women have, for the most part, never had it so good! We have more independence, options & conveniences - so why are we sweating our way through our rich, full lives?

As Kristine Carlson writes in her Introduction: "...when Richard asked me to write solo for the first time...part of me wanted to hightail it as fast as I could in the other direction!...I knew, after some contemplation, that this would be a challenge and a part of my own spiritual journey that I simply could not refuse..."

It's all common sense & as we so well know, we women must have permission - Kristine Carlson gives us that in timely essays about everything imaginable from getting down & dirty to letting go of our perfect plans; from protecting our inner flame to saying no without feeling guilty. Wondering what to give this summer's Brides? This one is perfect! Enjoy the essays, connect the dots & Don't Sweat the Small Stuff!