In recent times, I've found myself grappling with overwhelming thoughts and feelings. Amidst professional stagnation, financial struggles, and personal disappointments, life has seemed suboptimal and mediocre, leading to a debilitating loss of self-respect. It's in these moments that I turned to Matt Haig's "Reasons to Stay Alive," a memoir that echoes my own turmoil.

Haig's book is a journey through his struggle with depression and anxiety, starting with a mental health crisis at 24. It's divided into five parts: "Falling," "Landing," "Rising," "Living," and "Being," mirroring the phases of grappling with and overcoming mental illness​​.

Particularly striking is Haig's moment of crisis in Ibiza, where he contemplates ending his life but chooses to turn back, driven by love for his girlfriend, Andrea. This decision marks the beginning of his long journey towards mental well-being, learning to navigate the complexities of depression and anxiety, and eventually finding reasons to stay alive.

As Haig shares his experiences, he touches on societal perceptions and prejudices towards mental illness, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding mental health issues. His story is interspersed with personal anecdotes, medical facts about depression, and his coping mechanisms, offering insights into living with mental illness while striving for a better future.

Reading Haig's memoir has been a beacon of hope. His narrative teaches the importance of acknowledging our struggles, seeking support, and finding our unique reasons to stay alive. It has helped me to start making notes of what went wrong in my life and approach my state more objectively.

Haig's authenticity and vulnerability in sharing his story have provided me with a framework to work through my depression. His book underscores the significance of gratitude and the healing power of love and literature in overcoming life's challenges.

"Reasons to Stay Alive" resonates deeply with the Thoughts node of the Wellbeing Protocol, affirming that amidst life's darkness, there are always glimmers of hope and reasons to persevere.

Thank you, Matt Haig, for your courage in sharing your journey and helping others find their path out of despair.