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„Notes on a nervous planet“ lag schon länger ungelesen auf meinem Bücherstapel. Ich weiß nicht, wieso ich ausgerechnet jetzt entschieden habe es zu lesen. Tatsächlich hatte ich etwas anderes erwartet als das, was ich bekommen habe. Aber dieses kluge, warme, beruhigende Buch kam für mich genau im richtigen Augenblick. Es enthält keine Raketenwissenschaft und keine bahnbrechenden Neuigkeiten, aber unheimlich viel Lebensklugheit. Eine wunderschöne, nützliche Sammlung an Ideen, Zitaten, Erfahrungen und (und ich weiß, dass das Wort überstrapaziert ist, aber ich benutze es sehr selten) Inspirationen dazu, besser mit sich selbst umzugehen, nachsichtiger mit sich zu sein, den Fokus zu verschieben, die Perspektive zu wechseln, um nicht durchzudrehen. Vielleicht hat es mich besonders berührt, weil ich dieses Buch ausgewählt und gelesen habe, als ich gerade dabei war vor lauter Stress und Überstimulation komplett frei zu drehen. In jedem Fall hat es mir geholfen, die Notbremse zu ziehen. Sicherlich ist das meiste davon nicht völlig neu und einiges konnte ich auch nicht gebrauchen, weil es nicht zu meinem Leben passt, aber vieles hat mich wirklich getroffen und etwas angestoßen. Nicht zuletzt, weil Matt Haig eine Sprache nutzt, auf die ich mich einlassen kann - weltlich, witzig und ironisch. Ich werde dieses Buch nicht zum letzten Mal gelesen haben.
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I love this book. I return to it every so often when I'm struggling and every time it leaves me a better and happier man, more aware of myself and my addictions to my phone and more. more aware of my place in the world
I highlighted more than average in this book, but still it did not really impress me. The reason for this is that the book lacked structure; it's messy, and according to the author, it is so on purpose. About halfway through, he writes: "As you will be aware by now, I am trying to write about the messiness of the world and the messiness of minds by writing a deliberately messy book. That’s my excuse, anyway. Fragments that I hope together make a kind of whole. I hope it all makes sense. Or if it doesn’t make sense, I hope it makes nonsense in ways that might get you thinking." For me, that did not really work. Rather, it gave me the impression that what I was reading was the unfinished, unpolished result of extensive writing therapy - not meant for my eyes, at least not in that form. There were things I recognised and things that I found interesting, but also things that made me uncomfortable, things that made me roll my eyes, things that made me scan/skip pages rather than actually read them. To sum up: some good ideas or sound advice here and there, but overall an unbalanced book, unfortunately. Although that might just be my neurotic side speaking.
This felt rather 'bitty' at first, but once I realised this was how it was meant to be (the clue is in the title), I found a rhythm and enjoyed the short chapter format which made it easy to dip in and out of. As a sufferer myself of digital fatigue I resonated with most of Matt's findings - it's always good to know you're not alone. His proposed solutions were also largely helpful, although some, especially around minimising work stress/anxiety, I found a little naive.
All told though it was a very good book for anyone struggling with their digital lives. Matt has an easy style and a good sense of humour and as someone who has been through the mill, he has insight worth sharing.
All told though it was a very good book for anyone struggling with their digital lives. Matt has an easy style and a good sense of humour and as someone who has been through the mill, he has insight worth sharing.
challenging
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
This book was fine. I don’t think I learned much or found it life changing. It’s one man, talking about life being hard.
Easy read that was just what it promised - notes. Some better, more structured and insightful, some so obvious that it was borderline common knowledge. In the middle I got really annoyed by the author sharing cliché examples and seemingly just trying to fill the pages, but in the end I started to appreciate the simple reminders to turn down the noise and expectations of the modern world, live simply and with kindness towards self and others. Key takeaways - dive into the feeling of enoughness and don't let consumerism consume you.
Chapters I enjoyed:
⭐️ Crash
⭐️ Maybe
⭐️ One more click
⭐️ Algorithms eat empathy
⭐️ Awareness
⭐️ Note to self
⭐️ How to exist in the 21st century and not have a panic attack
⭐️ A note on wanting
⭐️ Ten ways to work without breaking down
⭐️ Space
⭐️ Fiction is freedom
⭐️ Sycamore trees
⭐️ Minus psychograms (things that make you feel lighter)
Two quotes I will take with me:
"For me, reading was never an antisocial activity. It was deeply social. It was the most profound kind of socialising there was. A deep connection to the imagination of another human being. A way to connect without the many filters society normally demands."
"Never be cool. Never try to be cool. Never worry what the cool people think. Head for the warm people. Life is warmth. You'll be cool when you're dead."
Chapters I enjoyed:
⭐️ Crash
⭐️ Maybe
⭐️ One more click
⭐️ Algorithms eat empathy
⭐️ Awareness
⭐️ Note to self
⭐️ How to exist in the 21st century and not have a panic attack
⭐️ A note on wanting
⭐️ Ten ways to work without breaking down
⭐️ Space
⭐️ Fiction is freedom
⭐️ Sycamore trees
⭐️ Minus psychograms (things that make you feel lighter)
Two quotes I will take with me:
"For me, reading was never an antisocial activity. It was deeply social. It was the most profound kind of socialising there was. A deep connection to the imagination of another human being. A way to connect without the many filters society normally demands."
"Never be cool. Never try to be cool. Never worry what the cool people think. Head for the warm people. Life is warmth. You'll be cool when you're dead."
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced