I’ve never read a book that I’ve identified with as much as I did with “Reasons to Stay Alive” by Matt Haig. I know at first glance, you probably believe I should be hospitalized even for having turned to such a title. However, I decided to do sort of a book review of it because so so much of what Haig writes sounds like it would come right out of my mouth. That said, anything in BOLD is a direct quote from the book. The items NOT in bold are my thoughts/commentary. The last thing I need is some plagiarism legal issue – I can’t afford to be sued right now. I broke the things I found useful into categories, so feel free to check out the other pages in the drop down. I welcome any comments/thoughts/criticisms – and feel free to pick up the book if you feel inclined to do so!
@Alredboots – The hole you’d leave is bigger than the pain you suffer by being. #reasonstostayalive
@ilonacatherine – Not everyone thinks you’re as much of a waste of space as you do when in the depths of depression. Trust others. #reasonstostayalive
@HHDreamWolf – Suicide may lead to my friends and family becoming depressed, I would never wish depression on anyone. #reasonstostayalive
@Halftongue Sometimes my #reasonstostayalive amount to no more than “people would be sad and angry if I didn’t.” Those are bad days. (Awkward.. to me, this is just any old Tuesday)
Things I have enjoyed since the time I thought I would never enjoy anything again (alphabetically so no one thinks they’re less important than the next): Any and all Winholtz memories. Being on the “departures” side of O’Hare. Blackhawks games. Bob Marley. Boston. Candles. Coffee. Criminal Minds. Days off work. Demi Lovato. Dinner at my parents. Family parties. Florida. Grace VanderWaal. Jonathan Toews’s face. Klaud Tribe face. Laughing so hard it hurts my face. Matisyahu. Mexican food. Miley’s excited bark. Miley Cyrus. My couch. Nicholas Sparks movies. Ocean sounds. Pizza. Reading. Rumi with the Knights. Simon’s comments. Sleepovers with my sister. Smell of rain. Sushi. Tequila. Tetris. Turning in a case. Vacations with Michelle. Wine nights.
Moral of the Story: The best answers – the answers that have been written and recorded for thousands of years – always seem to revolve around acceptance. The key is accepting your thoughts, all of them, even the bad ones.
*A really good example of a lot of what I cover (depression happening to anyone, not knowing the moment you’ll snap, and maintaining a poker face for those around you) is shown in the Chester Bennington video posted by his wife. The link is under my “Stuff I Love” page.