Reasons to Stay Alive
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Midnight Library. "Destined to become a modern classic." --Entertainment Weekly WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEEL TRULY ALIVE? At the age of 24, Matt Haig's world caved in. He could see no way to go on living. This is the true story of how he came through crisis, triumphed over an illness that almost destroyed him and learned to live again. A moving, funny and joyous exploration of how to live better, love better and feel more alive, Reasons to Stay Alive is more than a memoir. It is a book about making the most of your time on earth. "I wrote this book because the oldest clichés remain the truest. Time heals. The bottom of the valley never provides the clearest view. The tunnel does have light at the end of it, even if we haven't been able to see it . . . Words, just sometimes, really can set you free."
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Community Reviews
I do not enjoy books on depression because I have it and have had for over 20 years. However this was not uncomfortable or upsetting to read. On the contrary Matt haigs dry Witt had me chuckling to myself. The way it was incorporated into descriptions relating to some pretty crap times was genius! The only reason I have given it 4 stars is because it didn't help me as much as I had hoped! However in many ways it has given me some positive points to consider, and although I do not normally keep books I will be keeping this as I have marked off certain bits that I feel will hopefully help me in the darkest of times!
I will be honest. I was expecting this book to be just another useless self-help book. I was wrong...
Matt Haig is a wonderful author. He tell the story of his struggle with mental illness and the different things that helped him overcome it. Depression and anxiety come in different forms for everyone, but Haig did a wonderful job at giving small tips and tricks of things that can help you feel better. The book was also mixed with informative insights on the mental and physical symptoms of depression.
I think my favorite part was the 'How to Live' list. It had some simple yet important advice. Some of my favorite are quoted below:
"If someone loves you, let them. Believe in that love. Live for them, even when you feel there is no point " (241)
"You don't need the world to understand you. It's fine. Some people will never really understand things they haven't experienced. Some will. Be grateful. "(241)
Matt Haig is a wonderful author. He tell the story of his struggle with mental illness and the different things that helped him overcome it. Depression and anxiety come in different forms for everyone, but Haig did a wonderful job at giving small tips and tricks of things that can help you feel better. The book was also mixed with informative insights on the mental and physical symptoms of depression.
I think my favorite part was the 'How to Live' list. It had some simple yet important advice. Some of my favorite are quoted below:
"If someone loves you, let them. Believe in that love. Live for them, even when you feel there is no point " (241)
"You don't need the world to understand you. It's fine. Some people will never really understand things they haven't experienced. Some will. Be grateful. "(241)
This has to be the most relatable thing I have read on my entire life. Just the knowing that somebody has/is going through exactly what you are going through is comforting. The knowing that you aren't alone, the knowing that you can get through this, the knowing there will be days where you struggle and days where you exceed. Accepting that relapse can happen and that it is not a sign of failure, it's a sign that your body, your head and your soul need to reboot and start all over again.
Matt Haig opened up about everything that has been so hard on him in his life. The life he is now living. The life he could have thrown away but he is still here today, he is still breathing and still fighting. It goes to show we can all do it even if it hurts so so bad.
A friend of mine bought me this book in the hopes it would help me through my hard and agonising daily battle. (Which it has) This book has opened my eyes that other people are going through what you are going through but at different rates, different circumstances to make them feel this way and that you can come out of it alive. Even though your head and heart won't let you believe it, especially in those darkest of darkest times.
"Knowing that someone else may read these words and that, just maybe, the pain I felt wasn't for nothing" - Matt Haig (page 214)
Matt Haig opened up about everything that has been so hard on him in his life. The life he is now living. The life he could have thrown away but he is still here today, he is still breathing and still fighting. It goes to show we can all do it even if it hurts so so bad.
A friend of mine bought me this book in the hopes it would help me through my hard and agonising daily battle. (Which it has) This book has opened my eyes that other people are going through what you are going through but at different rates, different circumstances to make them feel this way and that you can come out of it alive. Even though your head and heart won't let you believe it, especially in those darkest of darkest times.
"Knowing that someone else may read these words and that, just maybe, the pain I felt wasn't for nothing" - Matt Haig (page 214)
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