Notes on a Nervous Planet

While this collection of short essays and random yet compelling commentaries on our culture is marketed towards "those who suffer from anxiety and depression" - that's ALL of us to one degree or another. Such "ailments" are at epidemic levels in our culture (no, not our country, or our society - but by our entire western world CULTURE. Why? Because inherently we KNOW that we're on an unsustainable path, and that science and technology will NOT save us from ourselves. But Haig's common sense essays remind us that WE'RE not crazy - that the world IS crazy - and our reaction to that (anxiety) is NORMAL - but that doesn't mean we have to be sucked down into insanity with it. Just that very notion that WE are in charge of how we think about ourselves, and the world, provides the calming sanity in which one can recognize that anxiety happens when we reject what we inherently know to be true. Just because we live in a crazy culture doesn't mean we need to accept it - or medicate ourselves be it with anti depressants, anti-anxiety meds - or of course the numerous other drugs including alcohol we use to dull our senses enough to accept a crazy world. We can recognize that our culture is crazy and make the choice stand outside of it even as we are forced to live within it - and work to create a new culture that embraces simplicity and sustainability. We can minimize those things like cellphones constant intrusion into our lives - and recognize that we have NO idea what we're doing to a generation of kids being brought up to view the world through their cellphone cameras at best. Haig touches on SO many topics - and while his chapters might be 1 or 2 pages long in a book that can be read in a weekend, it SHOULD foster a lifetime of contemplation of recognizing that we're not quite as evolved as we think we are as a species - but that we ARE experiencing an awakening that can restore sanity and sustainability into an anxiety cultivating culture. Bravo Matt Haig & thank you!

Somewhat repetitive but good book.

Matt Haig captures this reader's attention from page 1 to the finish. He reports his life experiences without self pity or self egrandisement and I can identify with his struggles (I've not had his experiences but like everyone else had big problems to resolve) his inner search and determination, and his inspiring recovery from adversity. This book entertains, informs, and encourages any reader who faces anxiety in this challenging world. It shows how to find a calm, confident approach to life.

I want to read this book again and again for it’s wisdom and clarity. It very much makes sense to me.

Lots of platitudes and quoted ideas, not sure you need to spend more than 1h with the book. Have appreciated the lists.

Easy to sort through, this easy-read features common sense observations on ourchanging world's current social environment. I actually like this book much better than the popular Midnight Library. The message is crystal clear; take back your mindfulness, people. We are not robots! I knew all this, but how refreshing having someone else simply state it all with grace. I would hand this book to anyone to perk them up and remind them to focus less on their screens and more on 'the roses.' For me, the book was a little padded towards the end. It could have been even more short and sweet! K. That is all. Off to sit in the sun :-)

It’s a book that is written from personal experience and common sense; not necessarily a strong research base. However, it’s assert are hard to dispute, and it recognizes and crystallizes what we all know: too much time on-line is not good for our mental health. It’ll help you justify (to others) good reasons to go off-line.

As someone who suffers from depression and anxiety, Matt's writings help in letting Me know that I'm okay. This book is exactly what I needed to read. We are living in a time that is hard to understand and sometimes letting go is necessary, but not to the point of recklessness. Matt seems to always find the right way to pinpoint the struggles of many and he has the ability to make us feel as if we are wrapped safe in a warm blanket. Sounds corny, I'm sure... but I honestly having a hard time writing this without crying as it truly brought a certain type of peace to my soul. Thank you Matt. xoxo

It’s a beautiful book! One of my favorites.

I loved the book, I don’t know if everybody would. It was as though I was spending time in my head, nicely, relaxed. I would recommend it to anybody who just wants a chill reading on how to reorganise your head to let it be more like a soft cloud. All the answers you may need aren’t in the book but it’s definitely a good start, at least I think…

Delivery arrived promptly, and it’s been a great good. Very happy with this purchase and will be reading it again

To be honest I didn't read the book. I bought it but returned it right away. The book seemed like a collection of short blog posts which I didn't like. Of course, it is original copy since the seller is Amazon.

I loved this book so so much, it became one of my all time favourites. It felt like I was reading my own mind because I could literally relate to every word Matt used. It is definitely worth a read for everyone because it refers to nearly every aspect of this modern world we are living in and in what a creepy direction this world somehow seems to develop (especially if we are looking at technology and mobile phones etc.). I really can not describe how much I've loved this book, not in those view sentences, but I am really so thankful Matt wrote this unique piece of wisdom.