The Vulnerable Man

An inspiring life story about the difficulties in breaking patterns, handling and understanding your emotions, and finding the way back to yourself in an overwhelming world. Now available in English, this openhearted book has featured on national television in Sweden.

Thomas Anderson is a Swedish entrepreneur, experienced leader, change manager, and life coach. In the middle of life, he was successful at work and had a family, a nice house, and a rich social life—everything looked good on the outside, and he should have been happy. But on the inside he was in a dark place, a whirlpool of self-doubt, stress, anxiety, and feelings of worthlessness. He was trapped in an emotional prison and self-sabotaging behavior. He still managed to be there for everyone else, in his relationship, with the children, at work—but he didn’t know how to be there for himself, and he was now on the brink of burnout.

At this time, his gut feeling told him that something had to change—this was not the way he wanted to feel for the rest of his life. This marked the beginning of an inner journey, finding the way back to himself. The turning point for Thomas was understanding what it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP, as an estimated 15–20 % of us are). All the things he thought and felt, being overwhelmed—it now made sense. He is one of those people who takes in and processes more information; there was nothing wrong with him, he just hadn’t learned how to handle it.

The understanding of HSP and of how to handle emotions gave him courage and confidence in taking action and making the changes he needed in life: setting boundaries and creating space for his recovery and wellbeing, building healthier relationships, understanding his own patterns, taking ownership for his emotions, and facing the unaddressed conflicts. He re-evaluated and healed his past. With a new-found confidence he created the balance he needed in today’s boundless work life. With the tools to manage his emotions and thoughts, he created an inner peace that allows him to handle major life changes and stay centered in day-to-day life.

In this book Thomas openly shares his journey, in his own words from his diary over three years—from the brink of burnout to finding happiness. He shares his doubts, shortcomings, learnings, and experiences, the inner work and the strength that comes from being vulnerable. His purpose with being this open is to be a companion on your own journey to change. When he was in his darkest place he felt completely alone, and it was hard to seek help. But by hearing others share, he could share and break free. He hopes that taking part of his story will help you on your vulnerable journey, breaking free and reclaiming your life.

In The Vulnerable Man you get:

• A true and personal story about doing the inner work and how it can feel on the inside going through change.
• Experience, learnings, and inspiration to how you can break patterns and manage your emotions.
• A workbook for self-reflection that you can use by yourself or together with others.

"A heartfelt look at burnout and recovery" - Kirkus Reviews "Intimate and informal, The Vulnerable Man is an inviting book that encourages the healthy confrontation of emotions." - Foreword Clarion Reviews "Anderson's candidness is highly relatable, and following even a few of his suggestions can make for positive change". - BlueInk Review  "Thomas Anderson's empathetic book The Vulnerable Man uses journal entries to illustrate regulating emotions in order to achieve self-improvement". - Foreword Clarion Reviews "Entrepreneur and life coach Anderson derives inspirational life lessons from reflecting on his personal diary in this memoir and self-help book . . . Readers will nod in recognition at such sentiments as "If we don't dare to feel or face the risk of being hurt, we miss out on so much," and perhaps learn something from the author's personal revelations that they can put to good use in their own lives." - Kirkus Reviews "Now an engineer, life coach and inspirational speaker, Anderson categorizes himself as a Highly Sensitive Person, a personality trait that results in absorbing others' negativity and pressuring oneself in work or family relationships, among other manifestations. On the outside, Anderson seemed fine. Internally, though, he was terribly conflicted, as one diary entry shows: "Get away from all the musts, all the doing, pushing forward, worrying about failure, worrying about letting people down. If I fail, I'll never get to do anything fun again, [sic] what if they discover that I'm a fraud." - At book's end, Anderson offers a useful self-reflection workbook with headings such as "Discerning Patterns," "Vulnerability," and "Reclaiming Your Life." He includes lists of questions readers can work on solo or with a group." - BlueInk Review "At one point, Anderson seemed to have it all, including a lucrative career, a loving family, and a circle of supportive friends. Internally, however, self-doubt and anxiety sent him spiraling. His attempts to provide for his family, excel at work, and maintain friendships drained him. At the edge of burning out, he realized that he needed to change. He learned about what it means to be a highly sensitive person and began self-evaluating, regulating his emotions, healing from his past, and centering himself for challenges." - Foreword Clarion Reviews