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Life: How to make sense of the world and yourself

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Through patient stories, professional experience and psychological literature, 'Life' offers guidance on navigating daily challenges, mental disorders, psychological traumas, and toxic personalities, as well as strategies for success, self-actualization and happiness.
Ultimately, 'Life' provides techniques to achieve greater sustainable enjoyment and fulfilment, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking true happiness.

164 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2024

4 people want to read

About the author

Talal Alali

4 books3 followers

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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for B Poulain.
24 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2024
I feel LIFE is the first *real* self-help book I have read. Finally, a book written by someone who has a strong practical and theoretical background in the subject.
There are some great pieces of advice in this book. Are my feelings normal? How can I recognise a toxic person? How can I improve the quality of my life? And more. You're going to get very clear answers here.
Secondly, there are stories of patients the author worked with (anonymous, obviously). In addition to each story making a point on a certain subject, the reader can observe how - and why - psychotherapy works, get a proper good look behind the scenes. I got so immersed in these stories, I couldn't put the book down.
I found this book eye-opening. There's no doubt it can change your life.
6 reviews
August 17, 2024
Life by Talal Alali is a fascinating exploration of what it truly means to live a fulfilling and meaningful existence. In a world overflowing with self-help books that often rely on myths and overly simplistic advice, Alali stands out by grounding his insights in solid scientific research. He masterfully debunks the common misconceptions propagated by traditional self-help literature, offering instead a refreshing perspective that emphasizes the power of science to help us improve our lives.

Alali’s book goes beyond superficial platitudes, delving into the complex interplay between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. He presents practical strategies for personal growth that are not only evidence-based but also deeply rooted in an understanding of human psychology. This approach makes Life a valuable resource for anyone looking to make lasting changes in their life.

One of the most compelling aspects of Life is its optimistic yet realistic tone. Alali reminds us that life is indeed great, and that by leveraging scientific knowledge, we can better understand ourselves and the world around us. His book encourages readers to take control of their lives, make informed decisions, and cultivate a mindset that leads to genuine happiness and fulfillment.

For those weary of the empty promises of conventional self-help books, Life offers a much-needed antidote. It’s a book that challenges us to think critically, act intentionally, and ultimately, to live better lives by embracing the truths revealed by science. Talal Alali’s Life is not just a book—it’s a guide to living with purpose, clarity, and joy.
Profile Image for Andy.
2,108 reviews613 followers
February 2, 2025
This pamphlet fails to live up to its grandiose title.
The author says some things that make sense, like that people can survive trauma without frank PTSD. Okay, sure.
However, the author also uses out-of-context cherry-picked personal stories to promote dangerously misleading ideas, like that banning abortions in the US is good because abortion causes mental illness in women. For a more comprehensive and balanced examination of this question, see: Reardon DC. The abortion and mental health controversy: A comprehensive literature review of common ground agreements, disagreements, actionable recommendations, and research opportunities. SAGE open medicine. 2018 Oct;6:2050312118807624. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full.... For an in-depth look at what a rigorous scientific approach to these types of questions might look like, see: The Turnaway Study: Ten Years, a Thousand Women, and the Consequences of Having―or Being Denied―an Abortion.
He criticizes other self-help books, implying one should do controlled studies to see if they help people. I would love to see his data!!
Ultimately his advice for Life is to exercise, eat well, socialize, and keep learning. Great, thanks!

Alternatively:
Managing Your Mind: The Mental Fitness Guide
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Techniques for Retraining Your Brain
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of TraumaPrescription for a Healthy Nation: A New Approach to Improving Our Lives by Fixing Our Everyday World
The Broken Ladder: How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live, and Die

Managing Your Mind The Mental Fitness Guide by Gillian Butler Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques for Retraining Your Brain by Jason M. Satterfield The Body Keeps the Score Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk Prescription for a Healthy Nation A New Approach to Improving Our Lives by Fixing Our Everyday World by Tom Farley The Broken Ladder How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live, and Die by Keith Payne
16 reviews
November 26, 2024
A Refreshingly Honest Guide to Life and Mental Wellbeing

This book is an encouragement to take the bull by the horns and actively shape your life in the crazy world we live in.

The author brings over 25 years of psychology experience from all corners of the globe – the US, UK, and the Middle East – and it really shows. He cuts through the typical self-help fluff and delivers real, science-based insights. Whether you're dealing with stress at work, navigating political chaos, or just aiming for a happier life, this book has something valuable for you.

What I loved most is how Talal isn't about quick fixes or telling you exactly what to do. Instead, he offers a clear, honest look at mental health, debunking myths pushed by the media and big pharma. Plus, he shares real-life cases that make the concepts easy to grasp and apply in your everyday life.

For those in the business or political world, understanding human behavior is key, and Talal's tips on leadership and ethical decision-making are pure gold. He makes complex ideas easy to understand without dumbing them down, which is a rare and appreciated skill.

Overall, Life Make Sense in the World Yourself is a must-read for anyone looking to get a handle on themselves and the world around them in a smart, science-backed way.

Profile Image for Lox Ossom.
9 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2025
Thank you to my pal Josie for my early copy; opinions are my own.

The way human mind and psyche work has always interested me. Once you have some basic understanding of it, it's easier to get to know yourself and plan the life ahead. It is also much easier to tell the motivation behind people's behaviour, and interact with them (or sometimes back out). This book explains a number of very useful, practical psychological concepts with simplicity and warmth, and without overwhelming the reader. No empty slogans or platitudes, just simple knowledge, relatable anecdotes and practical advice.

What sets this book apart is its grounding in proven psychological practices, as well as its balance between depth and readability.

Overall, this book is a great read for anyone curious about understanding themselves better. It's insightful and relatable, making deep topics feel simple and approachable. If you're looking to make sense of life's complexities, this book is definitely worth your time.
Profile Image for B Poulain.
24 reviews2 followers
August 17, 2024
I feel LIFE is the first *real* self-help book I have read. Finally, a book written by someone who has a strong practical and theoretical background in the subject.
There are some great pieces of advice in this book. Are my feelings normal? How can I recognise a toxic person? How can I improve the quality of my life? And more. You're going to get very clear answers here.
Secondly, there are stories of patients the author worked with (anonymous, obviously). In addition to each story making a point on a certain subject, the reader can observe how - and why - psychotherapy works, get a proper good look behind the scenes. I got so immersed in these stories, I couldn't put the book down.
I found this book eye-opening. There's no doubt it can change your life.
Profile Image for Lara.
9 reviews
January 31, 2025
I enjoyed this book and recommend it as a useful and valuable life guide.

What I liked most is how the author explains the workings of the human psyche step by step, so that everything is logical. There are no unfounded claims that appear out of nowhere, unlike in many other self-help books I've read. Alali even refers to these books and explains what they have missed or misconstrued.

However, I wish the author had come up with a better solution to our problems than the one he gives. It requires a lot of work!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews

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