Most of us try to avoid feeling sad, but in this candid, comical, and deeply-felt book, therapist Chelsea Harvey Garner doesnt just argue that the future will be brighter if we learn to enjoy the unenjoyable and support each other when the vibes arent so good, she also shows us how. What if all the advice weve received about looking on the bright side is wrong? What if sadness is actually the key to happiness, and can even be . . . fun? Garner is here to make that case. In this feel-good guide to feeling bad, she claims its not enough for us to tolerate hard feelings. We need to embrace them. We need to let them show by crying with others. Often. In public.Playful, at times irreverent, but always sincere, Garner is the grown-up Miss Frizzle for the therapy generation. She believes that if we want to build a world where mental health is the norm, we have to lean into connection and count on each other, evenand perhaps especiallyat our worst.Through anecdotes about her own hardships and insights gained in her clinical practice, Garner illuminates the power (and embarrassment) of opening up. Featuring solo exercises, group activities, and journal prompts alongside personal essays, she invites us to see emotions in a new light and engage with them in a healthier way. A Pity Party is Still a Party helps us find the silver lining, but only after weve played in the rain.
