Fed Up: Navigating and redefining emotional labour for good

Bol

A ground-breaking exploration of feminism's most buzzy topic. 'This book opened my eyes to why, for so long (too long) women have carried the mental load. It's full of advice for women and men on overcoming the relentless arguments and looking at the bigger picture.' Clemmie Hooper, AKA Mother of DaughtersGemma Hartley is a mother and journalist on a mission: to throw fresh light on the hidden burden of 'emotional labour' (washing, wiping, worrying, soothing, shopping, preparing, planning, cooking, caring), and find out why it is that the bulk of these thankless, hugely time-consuming and frustrating jobs fall to women.Her article: 'Women Aren't Nags; We're Just Fed Up,' was shared by millions of readers, giving voice to a huge number of women whose frustration and anger is mixed with incredulity. Is this really where we're at 50 years post-feminism? Gemma's quest to get to the bottom of the problem and find out how to solve it will take you deep into your own subconscious bias, and sees her challenging the foundations of her own marriage to try to forge a better, more balanced way to live. Fed Up puts forward a thought-provoking, honest and impassioned case that any woman in a relationship should take an unflinching look at her own home life and ask: "How could we do this better?" The answer might just save your sanity, and your relationships. Gemma Hartley wrote an article in Harper's Bazaar in September 2017 called 'Women Aren't Nags - We're Just Fed Up', which instantly went viral.The piece, and this book, are about 'emotional labour', i.e. the unpaid, often unnoticed effort and work that goes into keeping everyone around you comfortable and happy.The Problem That Had No Name tackles the big issues surrounding emotional labour: the historical underpinnings and roots in feminism, the benefits and burdens of this kind of effort, and the specific contexts where emotional labour plays a major but undervalued role, including relationships, work, sex, parenting, politics and self-care.

Bol Partner

A ground-breaking exploration of feminism's most buzzy topic. No more grin and bear it: how and why we all need to reset the domestic balance. Gemma Hartley is a mother and journalist on a mission: to throw fresh light on the hidden burden of 'emotional labour' (washing, wiping, worrying, soothing, shopping, preparing, planning, cooking, caring), and find out why it is that the bulk of these thankless, hugely time-consuming and frustrating jobs fall to women.Gemma's article: 'Women Aren't Nags; We're Just Fed Up,' was shared by millions of readers, giving voice to a huge number of women whose frustration and anger is mixed with incredulity. Is this really where we're at 50 years post-feminism? Gemma's quest to get to the bottom of the problem and find out how to solve it will take you deep into your own subconscious bias, and sees her challenging the foundations of her own marriage to try to forge a better, more balanced way to live. Fed Up puts forward a thought-provoking, honest and impassioned case that any woman in a relationship should take an unflinching look at her own home life and ask: "How could we do this better?" The answer might just save your sanity, and your relationships.'It's time you got Gemma Hartley's new book on the emotional labour done by women. Fed Up, out now, is a groundbreaking read.' - Lorraine Candy, Editor-in-chief of Style magazine'This book by Gemma Hartley opened my eyes to why, for so long (too long) women have carried the mental load. It's full of advice for women and men on overcoming the relentless arguments and looking at the bigger picture.' - Clemmie Hooper, AKA Mother of Daughters