Released: 5th July 2018
Genre: Psychological and Personal Reflections
Number of Pages: 306
As a well-known presence in the areas of metal well-being and confidence boosting, Matt Haig has summarised his take on the current state of humans and their inner thoughts in “Notes on a Nervous Planet”, a book that acts as both a personal recount and a hopeful message to those who are struggling in today’s society. Today’s society is one of constant overload and Haig aims to cut through all these components to get to something more profound.
In a seemingly random order, the author talks about countless areas of wellbeing from sensory overload to feeling pressured by modern consumerist culture, all the while grounding it in our current digital landscape driven by seemingly limitless usage of technology. Essentially, it’s meant to mimic a thought process and as a result, it’s an incredibly easy read; I managed to finish it in a couple of days, quickly absorbing all his ideas without having to pass any deep thoughts. This makes the book highly accessible to any and all readers, not to mention one to break out every so often and read in bursts through those who are busier on a weekly basis. Although on the other hand, the way Haig wrote the book also creates some imbalances in the topics; you may see a fair few writings on mental health and very little on the topic on sleep, which can make things feel a bit disjointed at times.
What I liked most about “Notes on a Nervous Planet” is how it encourages you, the reader, to just take a step back and think about yourself, the world at large, while also considering what is and isn’t working. While some may view this as pandering and flimsy bits of encouragement, the many points where the reader is directly addressed work brilliantly at getting the points across in a clear, easily digestible manner. The pseudo-ranking of stress and de-stress mechanisms along the reminders not to worry were especially poignant; in a world so eager to rain constant obstacles down on you, Matt reminds everyone that you always have the power to disconnect and create a new perspective for yourself in life.
Recommended?
YES: For those looking for some solace and a way forward in today’s complicated world, Matt Haig delivers plenty of insights and reflections that will resonate greatly with many, especially those who have trouble with their mental health, self-esteem and overall outlook. Its only issue is the random nature of the author’s ideas, which results in some themes and ideas being given more attention than others.