To begin with, it’s 10 to 12 in the evening; my day has consisted
of watching the end of star wars episode 4 all the way through to the end of
episode 6! I then painted my nails and decided I wanted to finish the book I was
about 70 pages into 5 days ago! It’s just over 260 pages long and I was
determined to finish it. I have just turned the last page, put it down and
opened my laptop. There is so much to say and I don’t want to forget a single
word I had planned. If I sound slightly gibberish or my writing becomes clumsy…apologies!
But I have a lot to say so let’s get to it.
‘Reasons to stay alive’ – Matt Haig
Upon hearing this title, it sounds morbid. It really does! But
this book is entirely the opposite; Matt Haig confidently opens up to the world
as he addresses his personal experiences with anxiety and depression. I myself
suffer from anxiety and have done so for just over a year now, and I know a few
people who suffer from anxiety and depression also. You would be amazed at how
many people do feel sucked into a void of nothingness and feeling like there is
no way out. This is why I HAD to read this book, it was imperative for me. A
very good friend of mine told me they had bought it and my immediate response was
‘can I borrow it?’ I wanted to help people, I wanted to understand, I wanted
more knowledge on what was happening to me. this book does exactly that, small
positive probes that show you that you aren’t alone, short significant quotes that
lift your mood and draw a smile on your face, stories of hurt and pain that’s relatable
and also shows you the love in this world, a strong emphasis on how love is the
most important thing us humans have.
One thing I love about this book is the love this author has
for books:
‘There is this idea that you either read to escape or you
read to find yourself. I don’t really see the difference. We find ourselves
through the process of escaping.’
That’s why I love books; this book sums up why I’m
determined to complete this book challenge this year. I want to broaden my
horizons, I want to escape, I want to learn about the world and life and love
and in the process I’m learning about myself. Cringy and cliché I know… but it
is too true. There is something in learning and being drawn to characters that
you see qualities in them that you want to apply to yourself. You don’t want to
become them or morph yourself into this characters life to have their life that
somehow figures out in the end, you want that little quality; the ability to
tell a good joke, a smile that can light up a room, kindness, gentleness, a loving
capability that spreads and helps others to love too. Books are powerful.
‘Books were about movement. They were about quests and
journeys. Beginnings and middles and ends, even if not in that order. They were
about new chapters and leaving old ones behind.’
Don’t you agree? However, you could also change the word books in that quote and replace it with life. Life is about movement, different chapters, different
beginnings and middles and ends in different orders in different variations for
different purposes. I know myself, I'm currently facing an end, a beginning and
middle all at the same time, and it’s exhausting but exhilarating at the same
time. Its about turning the page and looking forward to what will happen next,
pick the next book up quickly after having your moment to think about what
happened in the book you just put down, turn to the next chapter, what do you
want to happen? In life you’re the author…make it happen. Sit down, make a
bucket list, what do you want to get out of life. What’s your reason to stay
alive?
Mine? My dream of love in all its forms, a happy life, and
the plans that I've made with people to unfold right before my eyes; they’re my
reasons to stay alive.
‘If someone loves you, let them. Believe in that love. Live
for them, even when you feel there is no point.’
This book honestly just leaks positivity, I smiled the
entire way through, whilst the stories were heart-breaking; the hope and
commitment that persevered throughout were admirable and inspirational, and
most importantly …love. The way that this man talks of his wife and how she got
him through was adorable, and also inspirational. She got him through and he
admits to it, he knows that she was his rock and he gave her the hard love that
he needed to pull through and it worked. She was his hope. Love is something
never to be underestimated. If you truly love someone, no matter how hard the situation
is or how it affects you, it doesn’t matter because you know that no matter
what you’ll stand by them! There’s not even a question about it. No second
thoughts. You just know.
‘Life is the people who love you. No one will ever choose to
stay alive for an iPhone. It’s the people we reach via the iPhone that matter.’
There are so many morals throughout this book but this was
my favourite. Life isn't materialism; materialistic objects don’t make us
happy. Its people that do; I know from my experience that I'm not happy when I'm
on my phone because I'm on my phone. I'm happy when on my phone because I'm
talking to someone who makes me happy. He’s made a funny joke or he’s laughing
because I just started to talk gibberish and that laugh is contagious. His
cat has head-butted the phone in an attempt to give me a kiss and he has sent
me a lovely text message telling me he loves me.
What makes you happy? Towards the end of the book Matt made
a list, a 3 page paragraph list of what made him happy. Do it yourself , I will,
and when you feel sad look at it and see if you can do any of them to make
yourself happy in that moment.
‘Self-help
How to stop time: kiss.
How to travel in time: read.
How to escape time: music.
How to feel time: write.
How to release time: breathe.’
Of all the
books I have read this year, this is by far the most inspirational. Things will
always get better you just have to hold on to hope. If you doubt this, if you don’t
believe me, if you want to know more, if you want further encouragement about
life… read this book. I shall purchase it and it will sit proudly in my book
collection as a regular read whenever I feel I need a little boost in life. I have
a greater knowledge about depression and anxiety and I feel comforted that I’m
not alone; we need to all be there for each other. Spread the love, be kind,
smile, you never know the battles people are facing in private. I strongly
recommend…I also wish writing a 2 page history essay was this easy! I apologise for my 1000 word essay ramble here, nevertheless, I hope you enjoyed. :)
