Review by mariiiiiiiiiia - Building a Non-Anxious Life

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mariiiiiiiiiia 's review for:

Building a Non-Anxious Life by John Delony

3.5

hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (3.5/5 stars)

I was motivated to read this book for two reasons. First, I’m a millennial who spends too much time on social media—and Dr. Delony’s clips from his talk show kept popping up in my feed. Shortly after, I signed up for a Financial Peace University class at my church, where he also makes an appearance. He was a familiar face, and I appreciated how the Ramsey team brought in someone to focus on mental health, not just money problems.

The second reason was personal: I wanted another perspective on anxiety and mental health. As someone who has generalized anxiety disorder, takes prescribed medication, and regularly sees a therapist, I’m always looking for new resources and approaches. I was hoping this book would carry the same thoughtful, grounded tone that Dr. Delony uses in his show—and thankfully, it does.

If you’ve ever watched or listened to him, you’ll hear his voice in your head as you read. He writes with the same sincerity and no-nonsense warmth that makes him feel more like a concerned friend than a distant expert. Because the book was published in 2023, it reflects on the anxiety many of us experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic—including his own struggles. Hearing a mental health professional open up about his personal experiences made me feel less alone and helped chip away at the lingering stigma.

The real core of the book is his concept of “The Six Daily Choices of a Non-Anxious Life.” Like Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps, they’re not revolutionary—but they’re accessible and practical. The six choices are:

Choose reality
Choose connection
Choose freedom
Choose mindfulness
Choose health and healing
Choose belief

Each gets its own chapter, with practical advice, pitfalls to avoid, and honest acknowledgment of how hard these things can be. If the beginning of the book feels too triggering or heavy, I’d recommend skipping straight to this section—it’s the most helpful and action-oriented part.

One quote that really resonated with me was: “Other people are your emergency fund for life.” (Page 115) As someone who took the Financial Peace University course, I appreciated how he paralleled the idea of a financial emergency fund with the emotional importance of friendships and social support.

This book is written in a very down-to-earth, vulnerable tone. It’s not a psychology textbook, and it’s definitely not your Boomer or Gen X parent telling you to “just try relaxing.” It’s real, empathetic, and hopeful.

I gave this book 3.5 stars. I don’t usually gravitate toward self-help or nonfiction, so this was a bit outside my comfort zone. It reads quickly—more like an extended podcast episode than a traditional book—and while there’s some repetition and promotion (of his shows, the Ramsey site, and the EveryDollar app), that’s expected from books connected to Ramsey personalities.

If you’re already familiar with the Ramsey framework, or if you enjoy Delony’s media content, you’ll likely get something meaningful from this. It’s a thoughtful blend of practical advice and emotional encouragement for anyone struggling with anxiety—or just trying to live with a little more peace.

Content Warnings