Matt Haig’s Reasons to Stay Alive is one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. I finished it this week, and while it’s taken me quite a while to get through, that’s more down to my reading habits than the book itself. I tend to have more than one book on the go at a time, usually just reading a few pages a day, but this is the kind of book that doesn’t need to be rushed.
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It’s part memoir, part reflection, and part guide to navigating life with depression and anxiety. Haig writes with an honesty that makes the book feel deeply personal, yet incredibly relatable. His descriptions of mental illness—how it feels, how it isolates, how it distorts everything—are written in a way that makes you stop and really take them in. At the same time, there’s an underlying message of hope woven throughout.

As someone who also struggles with mental health, a lot of what Haig writes resonated with me. There were moments in the book where I found myself nodding along, recognising those feelings and thought patterns all too well. But what I really appreciated is that Reasons to Stay Alive doesn’t try to offer an easy solution or a “fix.” It doesn’t claim there’s a single way to overcome mental illness. Instead, it’s a raw and thoughtful account of Haig’s own experiences, filled with moments of light and humour alongside the darker times.

Even though I’ve read it gradually, I’ve found myself reflecting on a lot of what he says. It’s not just about survival—it’s about learning to live again, to find joy in the small things, and to recognise that even in the worst moments, life is still worth holding onto. Whether you’ve struggled with your mental health or not, it’s a book that offers perspective, empathy, and an important reminder that no matter how tough things get, they can get better.

Would definitely recommend this one.

There was a time when I felt the pull of trends, whether it was clothing, music, or even the latest must-have gadgets. It wasn’t necessarily a conscious effort to follow the crowd, but looking back, there was definitely an underlying pressure to keep up. As I’ve got older, that pressure has faded. I no longer feel the need to follow trends, and honestly, life feels much simpler because of it.
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I think a lot of it ties into age. When you’re younger, there’s this unspoken expectation to fit in, to keep up with what’s current and relevant. You don’t want to be the one who’s out of touch, wearing last year’s styles or not knowing the latest viral sensation. But as time goes on, that need to conform starts to feel less important. You realise that most trends come and go so quickly that trying to keep up is more exhausting than it’s worth.

These days, I know what I like, and I stick with it. My style, my interests, my routines – they’re all shaped by what works for me, not by what’s trending at the moment. I don’t feel the need to update my wardrobe just because a new season dictates a change, and I don’t rush to buy the latest tech unless I actually need it. It’s freeing to be content with what I have rather than always chasing what’s next.

There’s also something to be said about quality over quantity. So many trends are built on fast fashion or fleeting fads, encouraging people to buy things they don’t actually need. I’d rather invest in things that last, whether that’s clothing, home items, or even experiences. It’s a much more satisfying way to live than constantly feeling like you need to keep up with an ever-changing cycle.

Of course, this isn’t to say that I don’t occasionally take inspiration from what’s popular. If I come across something that genuinely interests me, I’ll embrace it. But the difference now is that I’m not following trends for the sake of fitting in – I’m choosing what works for me, regardless of what everyone else is doing.

Letting go of that need to conform is one of the best things about getting older. There’s a confidence in knowing who you are and what you like, without feeling like you need outside validation. It makes life a lot easier – and a lot more enjoyable.