Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - Notes on a Nervous Planet

I find Matt Haig's nonfiction work to always be really thought-provoking and reflective; however, I definitely prefer Reasons to Stay Alive over this one. I just didn't feel like this one was as impactful as RTSA.

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nodogsonthemoon's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

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hannahgreep's review

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challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

3.0

Some interesting insights into anxiety and depression, but can be a bit fluffy in places.

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jbellomy's review against another edition

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reflective fast-paced

2.0

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booksandcat's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective slow-paced

3.0

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booksasportals's review against another edition

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sad tense slow-paced

I literally never write reviews here but I feel passionately against this book. As somebody suffering with depression and anxiety, this made me feel SO ANXIOUS when reading. 2/3 of the book seemed to be Haig telling us all of the things that make him feel anxious and bad. I get being relatable is helpful but also I ALREADY FEEL SUCKY, DONT GIVE ME LISTS OF YOUR WORRIES COS THEY WILL MAKE ME WORRY INTENSELY. I hoped this would give way to good, complex discussions on why we worry and how to not. Nooooope. A whole lot of screw the internet, read, do yoga, it'll all be okay. This book presented itself to me as self-help, something to provide me one or both of the following: comfort, or coping mechanisms. It did the OPPOSITE of comfort me, it made me panic and feel awful. Did it give me copi g mechanisms? N o p e. I'm sick of being repeatedly told the internet is bad for me. It is if you have an unhealthy relationship with it, like anything. And honestly, of all the things in my life, I'm pretty confident I have a healthy relationship with the internet, I mainly use it to look at art or talk to friends, it makes me happy. And fair if the internet stresses you out, I do get it. And fair if yoga, and books, and even this book, help you feel better. We all have our things. But this taught me nothing new and made me feel worse, not better. It actually made me realise how positive and good my attitude is. And my attitude still aint great cos Im pretty bloody depressed mate. So thats something. Im just angry. Wouldnt recommend. Genuinely no criticism of Haig: I liked his writing style, and Im happy to see people sharing their experiences of mental health issues. But I want people to be talking about their darker times in a way that doesnt give me panic attacks (genuinely don't know if this is too much to ask or not?) and actually comforts me and gives me helpful things to do or think about or different perspectives. Nope not here, not ever. IM. SO. PISSED.

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