A few months back, I was asked to mediate a discussion panel on mental health, perfectionism and overcoming obstacles and life’s challenges at the Women’s Day Out event in Schenectady, New York, and that’s where I met author Dr. Shai. More than an author, Dr. Shai is a motivational speaker and podcast host, who spoke so eloquently and powerfully at this event, she blew the crowd away, myself included. Once she mentioned that she was selling her book at the event, I knew I had to purchase a copy, not only to be a woman supporting women, but mostly because I was so inspired by her story. I knew that she had had a child at a young age, that she had battled addiction, that she had put herself through college and become an incredibly successful woman.
Reading her story was just as powerful as hearing it, in part because Dr. Shai is a natural storyteller. Even in print form, the reader can almost hear Dr. Shai telling her story as if listening to it in the form of an audiobook. Part memoir and part self-help book, Dr. Shai not only details the trauma she’s overcome, but gives life advice. That advice is applicable to every women, not just those who have faced similar challenges.
In addition to her personal story of young parenthood, education and creating a career, Dr. Shai shares deeply about the ways her upbringing, challenges and society influenced her need to always be “perfect,” and how she’s battled those feelings of perfectionism her entire life. She admits it’s something she still battles today but that she’s able to keep it at bay much more with years of practice, focusing on instead simply aiming to be better and being okay with that. A quick read, Better Not Perfect shares themes and sentiments that women, especially, need to hear and have reinforced over and over again.
Lara's Book Club 