Book Review: Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? By Julie Smith

Self-help books are always questionable. They oversimplify the world and leave you wondering what the heck is going on. You could say that about any advice ever given to you, as situations are always unique, and the people in them are too. But then there is the fact that we have some basic understanding of how our minds work, let’s say, when we are anxious. There are patterns that most people follow in such a situation. Add to that: we have tons of scientific research, which has found tricks to lessen the impact of the anxious brain talking to us nonsense and making the situation worse. Julie Smith goes over those behavioral and thought patterns commonly known in stressful situations we face in life.

This is not some mind-bending book if you have previous knowledge of how our minds and bodies work. Instead, it goes over the basics, spiced with therapeutic tools you can try with your situation. And that is what the writer aimed to do. She writes at the beginning of the book how she wants to aid those who can’t afford therapy with this book and her social media presence. I think that is a very noble cause as she makes excellent points and bases her answers on known therapeutic methods and scientific reasoning. The book’s language is approachable, having this soft, understanding tone. She doesn’t preach.

Actually, I found the book helpful as I’m going through tough times. Though, I found good tricks for my climbing and not my sorrow. The silly brain of mine. Her section about fear and how to handle my anxious thoughts helped me understand what I do wrong when I’m on the wall and making a hard or scary move. I used her tricks, and they did help me a lot. I did a scary route that was all about me not trusting myself and the skills I have. I hope that I remember that when I choke up at the wall. I think I will, as motivation is an important factor in change—another thing she discusses.

This was a good one.

Thank you for reading and have a beautiful day ❤