How to Feel Alive Again by Catherine Price

Book Review

Have you ever read the book, “How To Break Up With Your Phone”?

The same author writes this book, and I am thoroughly impressed.

The questions at the beginning of the book include

“Anxious? Trouble focusing? Feel Stuck?

YOU NEED TO HAVE MORE FUN.

Fun isn’t self-indulgence. It’s critical to your well-being.

What I am especially struck by and find the most eye-opening is how we are marketed fun. Buy this, and you will be happy, do this and bring fun into your life. We spend hours a day on what we call fake fun instead of realizing what real fun is and genuine happiness.

We spend hours a day on fake fun, like watching TV. I like the term she uses, doom-scrolling the news or social media, hoping to fill some of our emptiness.

She brings out the number one way we miss out on having a really fun time. It’s called that little device we carry around with us everywhere. Our phone!!

Catherine teaches us how to create an environment and an experience that we know as “that was really fun”! She tells us why it is essential for our health and mental well-being to seek fun and make time for it.

Honestly, it made me want to throw my phone in the trash. Reading this book also made me pick up another one I will not review but suggest that you read, called “Ten Arguments for Deleting your Social Media Accounts Right Now.” Between these two books, I was blown away by how we fall into the marketing trap of our phones and social media. They are excellent tools and can be used as that, but quickly turn into something far more sinister. But Catherine also says in this book, don’t feel bad if that is you because they are designed to work that way! DESIGNED to work that WAY!! That’s humbling, isn’t it?

I do not want to be addicted to my phone and miss out on fun opportunities and experiences. I do not want to miss the fun with my kids and family. I do not want to be taken away from socializing with those from my church. And I definitely don’t want to turn into an internet troll. So, I am learning to put my phone into a tightly locked box that I use as a tool and with intention, and I am telling you, it is a struggle. But realizing the phone’s pull and power has been such an eye-opener.

I am slightly passionate about this and encourage you to read this book.

Thanks for reading; it’s not my typical book review. But reading this book has led me to believe that is why I love being in my garden so much—no distractions, no noise, just the beauty of the garden, the sounds of nature, the smell of the dirt and flowers, and sharing the joy the garden brings me with others.

Ok, I’m done being all sappy now.

Let me know if you have read the book and what you think.

Love,

Michelle