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ellentaylor 's review for:
Notes on a Nervous Planet
by Matt Haig
I found myself really loving some parts of the book, while other parts I enjoyed less.
I think this was mostly because the things that Matt Haig described as anxiety-inducing weren’t always the same things that trigger my anxiety, which is a statement I’ve seen echoed in other reviews. I don’t think this makes the book any less important (there’s not a ‘right’ way to be anxious, and Haig is clear that he’s writing from his own experience) but I do think it’s worth being mindful of how complex and subjective anxiety can be.
The book sometimes seemed to present anxiety as a uniquely modern experience, intrinsically tied to modern life. I’m always a bit wary of arguments like this, that seem to hark back to an imagined, easier era. I don’t really think this was Haig’s aim or belief. He did actually explore a couple of historical references that mirror our modern experiences (I really enjoyed Samuel Pepys checking his pocket watch) but I still felt that the central thesis tying anxiety to modernity was a little simplistic. There’s no singular root cause of poor mental health, just as there’s no singular fix. And while I agree there is a link between our culture and current mental health issues, which is very good to be aware of and critical of, the picture is much broader than discussed in this book.
Generally, though, the advice given was helpful and Haig’s ideas are valuable. I really enjoy Matt Haig’s writing, particularly about mental health. I love his descriptions of nature and his clear passion for life. This book was no exception.
I think this was mostly because the things that Matt Haig described as anxiety-inducing weren’t always the same things that trigger my anxiety, which is a statement I’ve seen echoed in other reviews. I don’t think this makes the book any less important (there’s not a ‘right’ way to be anxious, and Haig is clear that he’s writing from his own experience) but I do think it’s worth being mindful of how complex and subjective anxiety can be.
The book sometimes seemed to present anxiety as a uniquely modern experience, intrinsically tied to modern life. I’m always a bit wary of arguments like this, that seem to hark back to an imagined, easier era. I don’t really think this was Haig’s aim or belief. He did actually explore a couple of historical references that mirror our modern experiences (I really enjoyed Samuel Pepys checking his pocket watch) but I still felt that the central thesis tying anxiety to modernity was a little simplistic. There’s no singular root cause of poor mental health, just as there’s no singular fix. And while I agree there is a link between our culture and current mental health issues, which is very good to be aware of and critical of, the picture is much broader than discussed in this book.
Generally, though, the advice given was helpful and Haig’s ideas are valuable. I really enjoy Matt Haig’s writing, particularly about mental health. I love his descriptions of nature and his clear passion for life. This book was no exception.