Chaos.. On Emotions and Other Human Qualities

Hate and love, disappointment and joy, shame and confidence –
We seem to prefer hiding everything chaotic. We live in a society that despises chaos, in a system that encourages discipline and order. But where does this actually come from? Why does chaos feel so alien to us despite being so close? How do we adapt in a world that judges difference negatively, confines us with its categories, and pushes us in a direction we didn’t choose for ourselves?

On controlling and liberating emotions:
The less one conforms to social norms, the more external and internal chaos there is. Yasmine Sofia Boussaoud was born in Bryan am Chiemsee to a Tunisian father and a German mother, and felt the influence of both cultures from a young age. Boussaoud was treated differently because of her appearance and faced expectations and conventions that were almost impossible to meet. What followed: teenage motherhood, a body image marred by rejection, and repressed emotions. This book reveals the power structures underlying our system, and that emotional control is an integral part of it. But what happens when we reclaim control of these emotions?

For a radical act of self-kindness,
Yasmine Sophia Boussaoud takes us on a journey through the spectrum of emotions, presenting research and facts, discussing current political events, and posing questions that resonate with us all: Where do emotions originate? How does shame arise, and how is defamation used in society? Why is longing so important? Who is allowed to express anger publicly, and who is not? What does love mean in different cultures? How is it connected to body images and beauty standards?

With captivating prose, Yasmine Sophia Boussaoud tackles these painful issues, prompting us to pay attention and reflect—essays we need!