• Okay Fine Whatever

  • The Year I Went from Being Afraid of Everything to Only Being Afraid of Most Things
  • By: Courtenay Hameister
  • Narrated by: Courtenay Hameister
  • Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (178 ratings)

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Okay Fine Whatever  By  cover art

Okay Fine Whatever

By: Courtenay Hameister
Narrated by: Courtenay Hameister
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Publisher's summary

The "hilarious and poignant" story of one chronically anxious woman's year-long quest to become braver by seeking out the kinds of experiences she's spent her life avoiding. (Cheryl Strayed)

For most of her life (and even during her years as the host of a popular radio show), Courtenay Hameister lived in a state of near-constant dread and anxiety. She fretted about everything. Her age. Her size. Her romantic prospects. How likely it was that she would get hit by a bus on the way home.

Until a couple years ago, when, in her mid-forties, she decided to fight back against her debilitating anxieties by spending a year doing little things that scared her - things that the average person might consider doing for a half second before deciding: "nope."

Things like: attending a fellatio class. She did that. She also spent an afternoon in a sensory deprivation tank, got (legally) high in the middle of a workday, had a session with a professional cuddler, braved 28 first dates, and (perhaps scariest of all) actually met someone who might possibly appreciate her for who she is.

Refreshing, relatable, and pee-your-pants funny, Okay Fine Whatever is Courtenay's hold-nothing-back account of her adventures on the front lines of Mere Human Woman vs. Fear, reminding us that even the tiniest amount of bravery is still bravery, and that no matter who you are, it's possible to fight complacency and become bold, or at least bold-ish, a little at a time.

©2018 Courtenay Hameister (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Inspiring from the first pages. Courtenay fearlessly lets us into her head; she didn't clean up in there before company came over, and I am so glad. Her risk-taking adventures in career and love are more stirring to me than any daring physical feat." (Jen Kirkman, New York Times best-selling author of I Can Barely Take Care of Myself)

"Courtenay Hameister is one of the funniest, sharpest writers I know. Her work is confessional, witty, and laugh-out-loud hilarious. I love her."(Chelsea Cain, New York Times best-selling author of Heartsick and One Kick)

"The author not only chronicles how she faced her inner demons and won; she also offers a reminder that doing even the smallest thing to conquer fear 'is enough to change a lot.' A fresh, intelligent memoir." (Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about Okay Fine Whatever

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    1 out of 5 stars

Ugh...

If I wanted to hear the intimate details of someone else's sex life, I'd buy a magazine at the local gas station. Was tricked into thinking that I'd get a more enlightened experience of dealing with GAD. Waste of a good sense of humor. Pass.

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10 people found this helpful

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Total mess.

I wanted to like this book. Footnote: I didn't. I found her story to feel contrived and like she was searching for "shock value. Footnote: maybe if this was 1989. It came across as whining just to whine, and at the same time, overly judgmental. Footnote: I found that obnoxious. Courtenay is a 40 something who wants to be a millennial. Footnote: she isn't. And if you find my use of "footnote" to be ridiculous and distracting, just wait until you listen to this book. It became so grating I stopped listening to it. Just like her relationships, I felt halfhearted about starting this book, wanted to dump it about two hours in but felt like I would give it a shot, but decided the entitled whining and forced "fear" was just too, boring. This book is not about addressing fears and dealing with anxiety. It is about a middle-aged woman with body perception issues who probably runs men off because of her personality, not her "anxiety" or body type. The great thing is, if you feel like you are totally f**ked up give it a listen, you will feel better about yourself in about 30 minutes. I could not finish this book. Maybe she figured it out in the end, maybe she found true love. There is a lid for every pot you know. But the thing is, I just didn't care. I struggled to find her story and the way she told it, interesting or engaging.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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It’s funny because it’s true

Courtenay has a way of describing what it’s like to live with anxiety in such a funny way! Her dry sense of humor and adept sarcasm are everything! If you suffer with GAD or have someone in your life who does, this book is for you.

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3 people found this helpful

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Reading this was fun and not uncomfortable at all.

While she didn't try to inspire me, she did. I feel like this gave me an interest in exploring but also a better understanding of those who find it really hard to put themselves put there.

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2 people found this helpful

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Reader Comments

I feel that this is an amazing book for people with and are overcoming an anxiety disorder. The author's story is inspiring.

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2 people found this helpful

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Candid, relatable, but unique

I loved the honesty and felt I could relate on many levels although we are in completely different careers and our lives look very different. I could feel myself living vicariously through her stories and wondering what it would have been like to be in such situations. It made me evaluate what I am afraid of, and pushed me to consider what I could learn or accomplish by saying Ok, fine, whatever to. Well told.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fun and Growth-inducing

Book Rec: a funny memoir featuring generalized anxiety disorder, body image issues, late blooming sexuality, food issues, and plenty of deep and light-hearted real-life stories of personal growth. I identified with much of this book and I'm glad I listened to it.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Brutal, subtle honesty- a real women’s memoir

Loved her honest story telling. Such and rawness mixed with subtle sarcasm made this book a great listen. At first listen I was afraid it was going to be a generic 30-something fling book but after only a couple chapters- the author drew me in. Suddenly I couldn’t wait to hear what her next adventure would be. Great book Courtenay, you’re def a badass lady.. don’t forget that. Wish to embody your courage and thrive!

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    5 out of 5 stars

Clever, genuine, and uplifting

not quite what I expected, but I fell in love with this woman. anyone with anxiety will gain something from this book. she gives amazing perspective and makes you laugh along the way. a real treat.

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1 person found this helpful

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A funny and charming memoir

I’m a 48 year old lady with anxiety and an appreciation for both humor and public radio. This book was basically written for me, and I loved it.

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