Reasons to Stay Alive

Matt Haig wrote “The Midnight Library” and I thought it was very thought-provoking. Through reading that, I found out he suffered with mental illness (depression/anxiety/panic disorder) for much of his life to an extreme degree. This memoir beautifully speaks of how he has managed to cope and manage it without drugs. After a major crisis at age 24, Matt has married, has 2 kids, and continues to write. I think he invaded my body. His story is my story but I chose to take meds. Matt is an inspiration to all of us who deal with these issues everyday.

Sometimes the only thing that keeps me from drowning completely in a sea of darkness is knowing that someone else understand this, that there is someone else who experiences the infinite black ocean with me. Sometimes the only thing that keeps me going is the thought that I am not as alone as my mind wants me to believe.

Depression is hard to explain, but Matt Haig does it justice here. He knows, and this book genuinely made me cry for him and for me and for everyone else that has ever felt this pain.