Please Note:  I received an advance audiobook copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

With her acclaimed New York Times bestseller (and Reese's Book Club pick) Fair Play, Eve Rodsky began a national conversation about greater equality on the home front. But she soon realized that even when the domestic workload becomes more balanced, people still report something missing in their lives--that is, unless they create and prioritize time for activities that not only fill their calendars but also unleash their creativity.

Rodsky calls this vital time Unicorn Space--the active and open pursuit of creative self-expression in any form that makes you uniquely YOU. To help readers embrace all the unlikely, surprising, and delightful places where their own Unicorn Space may be found, she speaks with trail blazers, thought leaders, academics, and countless real people who have discovered theirs everywhere--from activism to artistic endeavors to second careers.

Rodsky reveals what researchers already know: Creativity is not optional. It's essential. Though most of us do need to remind ourselves how (and where) to find it. With her trademark mix of research based, how-to advice and big-picture inspirational thinking, Rodsky shows you a clear path to reclaim your permission to have fun, manifest your own Unicorn Space in an already too-busy life, and unleash your special gifts and undiscovered talents into the world.

Review:

I have not read the author's previous book on household inequity, Fair Play, It had to do with how much more of the domestic work women often do at home than their partners.  I think this is an important topic, as we all can see by how women were much more affected by the COVID pandemic than their male partners.  Find Your Unicorn Space Eve Rodsky's latest book, is about finding time to pursue your interests.  She makes a good case for why this is important and not a luxury.  I appreciated her practical tips for having conversations with one's partner in order to get free time to do this.  She also wrote about how we can identify what our passions are.  This may seem unnecessary, but as many people put their needs last after their kids, this was actually really useful.

What I didn't appreciate was the author's assumptions that everyone reading this book is a heterosexual woman with a male partner, who has kids.  This really limited the appeal of the book for me. She also seems to scold people who say they don't have extra time in the day.  She makes the case that you can always find time for these pursuits.  But, if someone is struggling financially, in poor health, or working over 40 hours a week, they easily may not have time for anything other than sleep. There are also cultural challenges that some people may face that make doing creative things very difficult.    

What I Liked:

I did like that the book shows how people need to bee creative.  Much as we think this is a luxury, we should realize that it is necessary for a fulfilling life to finds ways to be creative.  While some are lucky enough to combine their passion with something that pays, most of us do not have that.  By finding creative outlets, whether it be cooking wonderful meals for our families, or studying a language, we will have more satisfying lives.  

The author does a good job of describing the differences between seeking happiness, and seeking fulfillment in life.  While happiness is an emotion that comes and goes, fulfillment is deeper and longer lasting.  I really appreciated these distinctions.  Too often, we are told we need to be happy, and if we're not, something is wrong with our lives.  But, happiness comes in waves.  Just because one isn't happy at every given moment  doesn't mean their life is on the wrong track. 

The book also had practical tips for having constructive conversations with your partner about what both of you need.  Getting time to pursue your interests is a two-way street.  If your partner is taking time to work on their interests, you need to get equal time.  The author points out though, that these conversations can be emotionally charged if not handled carefully, and with mutual respect.  

What I Didn't Like:

One of my pet peeves is when someone (like a celebrity) moans about how hard it is to be a mother, only to learn that they employ a cook, a housekeeper, and a nanny!  Oh cry me a river.  They do not have it hard.  This book is like that.  There are many examples that the author uses of having to negotiate with her husband about him taking on more of the household chores and childcare so she can have her creative time.  But, from the acknowledgement at the end of the book, she does employ a nanny.  Leaving out this key detail makes her lose some credibility with me, as a reader.  

The author does concede that every study she sites on the workload inequities that women face are based on cis gender, heterosexual couples.  Maybe there haven't been any studies done with other types of households.  But this narrows the audience for this book.  Single parents, gay couples, etc. are completely shut out.

She also (very briefly) acknowledges that it's more challenging to be creative when you're having trouble making ends meet.  But then she gives examples of women who are able to do this, even though they a struggling financially.  Way to put pressure on women, Eve!  These examples, in my opinion, are themselves, unicorns.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  December 28, 2021

Author:  Eve Rodsky

Genre:  Self-Help

Audio Publisher:  Penguin Random House Audio

Narrator:  Eve Rodsky

Audiobook Length:  8 hours, 52 minutes

Print Publisher:  G.P. Putman's Sons

Print Length:  336 pages

Source:  Penguin Random House Audio

Review Format: Audiobook 

Recommendation:  While this book does offer good tips to create time for creativity, it also reeks of privilege.  I think this would be a good library read.