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When I check what's trending on Twitter, most of the time, it feels as though I have descended into a pit of misery. It's like taking a shot of anxiety straight to the brain! And yet, for some reason, one of the first things I feel a need to do in the morning, within minutes of opening my eyes sometimes, is run through that list of bitterness and despair. Don't know why. But, I do know that I am not alone; articles, books, and documentaries about exactly how bad for us social media and our phones can be abound!
And, it's not just social media, the whole world seems kind of in a mess. The environment's kind of fucked, and we aren't doing enough about that (if only nature would give us a hint that it doesn't want us being quite so intrusive . . .); then there's politicians swinging their dicks around (in most instances, only figuratively speaking, thankfully); and, for some reason, people can still be driven to histrionics by the thought of someone, somewhere, not necessarily someone they know, engaging in consensual acts of love and sex that aren't strictly heterosexual (I dunno, you'd have thought they'd have more pressing things to be concerned about, but there it is!).
It's enough to make you want to never leave your bed!
With all that in mind, it's not hard to fathom the appeal of inspirational and motivational books. Those books that make us stop and consider the way we think and behave. Perhaps, just perhaps, there are other things we could be doing? Or, maybe there are things we should be letting go of? The answers out there somewhere, right? Right??
As someone who has spent nights awake, with thoughts in my head ugly like stagnant standing water, you can be sure I have my fair share of inspirational books on the subject of mental wellbeing. Because, thankfully, the discussions around mental health and wellbeing are just about beginning to become less taboo; the stigma is being questioned!
Perhaps one of the best known authors writing about mental health, including his own struggles, and the successes, with regard to his mental health, is Matt Haig, the English novelist and journalist. When his book, Reasons to Stay Alive, was published in 2015 it was received to generally positive reviews. And, in those reviews can be found declarations of real thanks for a book about mental health written in such a frank way. Sort of memoir, definitely inspirational, this book takes a look at living with mental ill health, and how that doesn't have to mean being condemned to a life forever bleak.
On a personal note, I am thankful for the likes of Matt Haig. Men in the public eye who stand up and say, I struggle. And, that's okay. The discussion around male mental health, and why it is that men don't get the help they need is something we still need to work on; suicide has been the biggest killer of young men in the UK for a long time and, according to statistics, men appear most at risk of death from suicide.
Mr. Haig has written of the therapeutic power of writing, and the reading is pretty damn good for you too!
Of course, mental health isn't the only aspect of our lives that we might want to consider on the path to happiness, health, and a fulfilling life. But, it's a pretty good place to start!
In an age where we seem to be drifting from one screen to another, there's apparently an increased interest in wanting something more. Or, maybe something less. I've read plenty of pieces on the benefits of giving up smart phones, and returning to older models. Or giving up mobile phones completely (is such a thing even possible!). Then there's the abundance of books concerned with mindfulness, meditation, and the benefits of being in the moment. And, hygge. Remember hygge? I think it's safe to say we are looking for something.
One of the books in my "to be read" pile is How to do Everything and be Happy by Peter Jones, a practical look at how to get the most out of life without overburdening yourself and, as it says on the cover, be happy. You'd also find, as you nosed along my shelves, a copy of Happiness by Design by Paul Dolan, which I've read (in the wake of a relationship falling apart). Both, in their own way, suggest the benefits of finding balance in our lives; the balance of pleasure and purpose, and not trying to overload those scales.
So, maybe we just need to stop, take a breath or two, and get some balance back into our lives. Sounds good to me. Maybe, if we could do that, learn to stop, just now and then, we might all calm down a bit, and the Twitter trending list wouldn't be quite so fevered, and riddled with fearful/hateful knee jerk reactions.
Recently, a copy of Mae Martin's Can Everyone Please Calm Down? arrived in the mail. And, though I would hesitate to call it a self help book, the author does hope for a more considerate and considered conversation about sexuality. Like mental health, a subject that seems to, gradually, be something we can see our way to talking about openly. Sort of. As the blurb reads, Mae's mission is to ensure that in a world that's full of things to worry about, who we choose to kiss should not be one of them. And when it comes to sexuality, she asks: CAN EVERYONE PLEASE CALM DOWN?
A couple of years ago, I watched Mae Martin's Comedians of the World special, on Netflix, and enjoyed it, but then forgot about it mostly. (Sorry, I was drinking my way through an unhealthy relationship and unaddressed mental issues at the time). But, Martin's work came to my attention again (once the relationship was over and I was beginning to get my shit together) and I have gotten to be a little bit obsessed. Not in a worrying way, mind. It's all good. But, yeah, she can write a book about as well as she can stand-up and TV, so . . .
To put it simply, I very much recommend Mae Martin's book. And, though this blog doesn't really concern itself with television, you should also check out Feel Good on Netflix! It's so good. I am delaying watching the final episode for myself because once it's gone what the hell am I supposed to do? Go outside? Watch something else? Pfft!
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