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How to Be Happy (or at least less sad): A Creative Workbook
HOW TO BE HAPPY (OR AT LEAST LESS SAD) is a workbook offering a place of solace, distraction, and a fresh perspective on life. This book will not fix you and it will not make you happy, but it promises to help you rediscover the simple pleasures in life and, ultimately, make you feel that little less sad.
"This book made me nervous when I first scanned through it because I knew it would work! This isn't a self-help book; it's more of a blue-collar, get-down-to business friend with calloused hands who is ready to boogie when you are. This book is about action. But also acknowledgement. There are no platitudes and its author is no Pollyanna. It's an explicit map that leads to a place where you're going to feel measurably better, and better equipped to face life's vicissitudes." - Rob Delaney, Comedian
"This book made me nervous when I first scanned through it because I knew it would work! This isn't a self-help book; it's more of a blue-collar, get-down-to business friend with calloused hands who is ready to boogie when you are. This book is about action. But also acknowledgement. There are no platitudes and its author is no Pollyanna. It's an explicit map that leads to a place where you're going to feel measurably better, and better equipped to face life's vicissitudes." - Rob Delaney, Comedian
160 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2015
71 people are currently reading
3644 people want to read
About the author
Lee Crutchley
13 books64 followersLee Crutchley is an artist and author from a small town in England that nobody has heard of. He is currently based in Berlin, where he struggles to take his own advice.
Find out more at LeeCrutchley.com.
Find out more at LeeCrutchley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 19, 2015
being a person who hate "self-help" books that is too preachy, giving and emphazing examples of the so called "successful people, that is, the writer.
but this depends. some sharing their experiences in a humble way.
i bought this book when another episode of depression, strucks me.
i browse this book at a bookstore, and instantly having a thought "this book is written for people like me".
The first day i got this book, i was still felt so miserable even to lift a pen to write anything, require so much effort. typical depression.
when my mental state started back to "normal"
i started doing the tasks and prompts. having reading tons of books about depression, bipolar,
how to cope with them - this i mainly read books about mindfulness, this book actually compiled all the good stuffs i ever read from other sources. it conclude almost everything from the books that i read.
so i do BELIEVE that this book is for ME, and it works.
thanks alot Mr. Lee for writing such an important topic in a casual, child like way.
Love, Sidek.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
but this depends. some sharing their experiences in a humble way.
i bought this book when another episode of depression, strucks me.
i browse this book at a bookstore, and instantly having a thought "this book is written for people like me".
The first day i got this book, i was still felt so miserable even to lift a pen to write anything, require so much effort. typical depression.
when my mental state started back to "normal"
i started doing the tasks and prompts. having reading tons of books about depression, bipolar,
how to cope with them - this i mainly read books about mindfulness, this book actually compiled all the good stuffs i ever read from other sources. it conclude almost everything from the books that i read.
so i do BELIEVE that this book is for ME, and it works.
thanks alot Mr. Lee for writing such an important topic in a casual, child like way.
Love, Sidek.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
October 5, 2018
This book definitely brings out my creative side. I love busting out my 100 pack of gel pens and working on one page each day!
January 29, 2021
How to Be Happy (Or At Least Less Sad) is a book of exercises for those of us who tend toward melancholia. It’s a gentle book, it’s a light book, and it urges us to lower our expectations, and those three qualities alone are enough of a reason to read it. The book shares lots of tricks for slightly nudging you out of a sad mood, including posting visual anchors that boost your mood; examining the common thinking distortions—-black and white thinking, catastrophizing, living by fixed rules, and more—-that plunge us into negative moods; ways to focus on the present instead of berating yourself for past mistakes or worrying about the future.
August 30, 2015
I haven't technically finished this book as it is something I turn to when I'm having a particularly low moment in my fight with depression. However I find that this book is wonderful in helping me discover the little things that keep me going. The title is right, it's not how to be happy. It's how to be less sad. Depression isn't something that goes away, you learn to cope with it and this is a great thing to cope with. The 10 fingers listing what you appreciate everyday but sometimes forget about is a wonderful thing for me. I frequently forget how lucky I am to have my ten items/people.
I recommend this to anyone having problems with their depression or anyone who just needs a little nudge in the direction back to being happy.
I recommend this to anyone having problems with their depression or anyone who just needs a little nudge in the direction back to being happy.
December 16, 2016
First of all I don't really think it's a bad book. Considering that it doesn't really make people feel happy after working on it is quite normal and I guess there's nothing wrong with that. Nobody's expecting that a book will Suddently change your life an mood. But there's one thing I did realise. It made me feel worse. If you're sad. Of course you're only focusing on the negative things in life. But instead you are told to listen them up and then listing the positive ones up. Afterwards you'll realise that you don't have as many things to be grateful for as you have problems so basically you're looking at two positive key words and a whole list of things that went wrong.
Considering this to be a book to make progress on while filling it out it didn't really do its job. Neither did it help solving problems but just having them written down. I don't know if it is just me but if I have problems I usually don't have a way of solving them. Either because it's a situation I can't get out of or because I don't have the tools to. So I have two options from there a) learning how to deal with the problem in a healthy way b) to learn the tool of how to solve it
Neither of this did the book do. Of course it's a book you have to work on yourself. But the questions and tasks given don't lead into any problem solving conclusion.
Considering this to be a book to make progress on while filling it out it didn't really do its job. Neither did it help solving problems but just having them written down. I don't know if it is just me but if I have problems I usually don't have a way of solving them. Either because it's a situation I can't get out of or because I don't have the tools to. So I have two options from there a) learning how to deal with the problem in a healthy way b) to learn the tool of how to solve it
Neither of this did the book do. Of course it's a book you have to work on yourself. But the questions and tasks given don't lead into any problem solving conclusion.
November 3, 2021
I saw like 3 pages of this book on Instagram (an instastory of someone I follow) and I was like "this is awesome, I want it". Only 3 pages, and as someone said in one of the book reviews: when I bought it, I KNEW IT WOULD WORK. I was nervous at first but, yeah, it definitely worked. I have to congratulate Lee Crutchley for this work. Now that I've finished it, I'm going to re-read it to remember all my journey with the book. And I'm going to re-read it whenever I feel low. This book made me connect with myself! The fact that it is a workbook is great, because now I have a physical place where I collect all my thoughts.
To sum up, I'm going to say 3 things:
1) It's like therapy in book form.
2) Not only is it a book, but a whole experience. (I can sum up the book with just this phrase)
3) Buy it! It's fun.
To sum up, I'm going to say 3 things:
1) It's like therapy in book form.
2) Not only is it a book, but a whole experience. (I can sum up the book with just this phrase)
3) Buy it! It's fun.
April 22, 2017
This book is a wonderful tool for this with depression to help identify what triggers them to feel down, as well as set activities and mind sets to help pull oneself back out. It contains pages of prompts and thought evoking answers for the reader to answer. For example, one page says "List things you do every day that give you no pleasure. Cross out anything non-essential." The next exercise "List thugs that's you do every day that give you pleasure. Circle anything on-essential." When I went through the prompts I answered them in a separate journal so that I can always go through and redo them, or lend it to a friend in need.
January 1, 2022
So clever and engaging and concise and right on point! I plan to use it and to recommend it to all who will listen.
To be truly useful, this workbook would be available online and interactive. It should not be a one-time-only book. The inability to make multiple entries limits its utility. A shame! Wish there were a journal or calendar with an exercise per day.
To be truly useful, this workbook would be available online and interactive. It should not be a one-time-only book. The inability to make multiple entries limits its utility. A shame! Wish there were a journal or calendar with an exercise per day.
Read
February 1, 2022a solidly CBT-based workbook. i recognized many activities from my therapy and positive psychology studies and my personal therapy sessions. nothing groundbreaking, but probably great to pair with talk therapy or do before or after seeking therapy.
April 22, 2017
I love how this isn't just a personal memoir/instruction manual for how to be happier; but also, it includes activities! It's short, sweet and worth it.
July 29, 2019
Total super! Liebevoll gestaltet, aufmunternd, macht Mut!
October 17, 2021
Книга игра, за разтоварване, отпускане и осъзнаване. Препоръчвам за всеки, който иска да открие себе си, без да чете клишета.
July 20, 2022
As much as i dislike self help books, this really did not feel like one. a nice reminder and something to come back to every once in a while.
December 19, 2017
This book never claims that it will heal you. It doesn't say it will change your life. It doesn't. That's okay.
But it does help you figure out how some of your thought processes might be harmful, proves to you how they are wrong and helps you work on yourself. There are a lot of exercises in this. Sometimes they are fun (like imagining what kind of animal you would be and stuff like that) and sometimes they don't really work. Like the one with the tv show schedule - you are only allowed to watch one episode of one show everyday and since I'm a tv show addict, this really didn't work. (I tried though!) The one that I didn't want to do was listening to an album you hate for a whole day - that would be a hell of a way to ruin my day. But I get where he's coming from with those exercises, they were just not for me.
The one I loved was where you have to write down how you think 5 of your friends would describe you - and then ask them how they actually would. My friends might me cry with their love. It's nice to know that you have people that love you.
This book is a lot about getting to know yourself but that can be kind of exhausting. I think that's okay though.
Overall, it was a good book - takes time but it's worth it. I'll definitely work on another one by Lee Crutchley.
But it does help you figure out how some of your thought processes might be harmful, proves to you how they are wrong and helps you work on yourself. There are a lot of exercises in this. Sometimes they are fun (like imagining what kind of animal you would be and stuff like that) and sometimes they don't really work. Like the one with the tv show schedule - you are only allowed to watch one episode of one show everyday and since I'm a tv show addict, this really didn't work. (I tried though!) The one that I didn't want to do was listening to an album you hate for a whole day - that would be a hell of a way to ruin my day. But I get where he's coming from with those exercises, they were just not for me.
The one I loved was where you have to write down how you think 5 of your friends would describe you - and then ask them how they actually would. My friends might me cry with their love. It's nice to know that you have people that love you.
This book is a lot about getting to know yourself but that can be kind of exhausting. I think that's okay though.
Overall, it was a good book - takes time but it's worth it. I'll definitely work on another one by Lee Crutchley.
August 2, 2024
Great book :
It starts that people get depressive and dopamine intoxicated because sociale media what seems social makes you actually anti social.
Get out more settle contact with people outside also it gives you oxytocine, dopamine, seratonine. Wich are more earned by participating events meetups than social media.
Author also talks if you go online go in goodreads or social media network for same goal people like you.
Very important aswell are positive visualizations. Wich can motivate and brighten you’re imaginations.
Meditation wil help you stay calm and get in alpha waves calmness.
Track you’re progress SMART
Brainsyorming with oppurtintys
It starts that people get depressive and dopamine intoxicated because sociale media what seems social makes you actually anti social.
Get out more settle contact with people outside also it gives you oxytocine, dopamine, seratonine. Wich are more earned by participating events meetups than social media.
Author also talks if you go online go in goodreads or social media network for same goal people like you.
Very important aswell are positive visualizations. Wich can motivate and brighten you’re imaginations.
Meditation wil help you stay calm and get in alpha waves calmness.
Track you’re progress SMART
Brainsyorming with oppurtintys
January 3, 2021
makes you pauze and think in a more positive way.
I would have liked more background information or explanation but I get it's a workbook.
A great book to reach for when you're feeling down and stuck in that mood.
I would have liked more background information or explanation but I get it's a workbook.
A great book to reach for when you're feeling down and stuck in that mood.
October 31, 2019
How to be less happy is a wonderful tool that has been working really well for me. As well - or better - than any of the tools professionals have given me so far.
This book has text broken down into small chunks that are not overwhelming. It is very interactive, and has many different ways to engage with the ideas presented. I think the should appeal to artsy and non-artsy folks alike.
If you are anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, or just feeling lost in their life, I highly encourage you to buy a copy of this book. Below, I have included snapshots of a few of the pages to give you an idea of the types of exercises you will do as you move through it.
This book has text broken down into small chunks that are not overwhelming. It is very interactive, and has many different ways to engage with the ideas presented. I think the should appeal to artsy and non-artsy folks alike.
If you are anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, or just feeling lost in their life, I highly encourage you to buy a copy of this book. Below, I have included snapshots of a few of the pages to give you an idea of the types of exercises you will do as you move through it.
December 30, 2023
I have 9 exercises left to do but I started this in July and I can't walk in the grass now so I am counting it as done.
I will try to complete them all.
I think it's so great he compiled a fun workbook with everything he has learned.
I know now that if I were an animal I would be a turtle with a cup of tea in one hand and a book in the other!
I know that my co-worker describes me as opinionated, eclectic, & messy (ouch!),
but my friend describes me as trustworthy, authentic, creative, organized, supportive, diligent, & frugal.
The exercises that helped the most were:
1) the 20 minute worry window
2) asking "Do I have a problem RIGHT NOW?"
3) giving negative thoughts a positive spin
4) common thinking distortions
My only complaint is that there are no page numbers. I let my husband fill in the actual book, so it was hard for me to work along in a separate notebook and refer back.
I will try to complete them all.
I think it's so great he compiled a fun workbook with everything he has learned.
I know now that if I were an animal I would be a turtle with a cup of tea in one hand and a book in the other!
I know that my co-worker describes me as opinionated, eclectic, & messy (ouch!),
but my friend describes me as trustworthy, authentic, creative, organized, supportive, diligent, & frugal.
The exercises that helped the most were:
1) the 20 minute worry window
2) asking "Do I have a problem RIGHT NOW?"
3) giving negative thoughts a positive spin
4) common thinking distortions
My only complaint is that there are no page numbers. I let my husband fill in the actual book, so it was hard for me to work along in a separate notebook and refer back.
September 17, 2020
4,5. This book helped me to realise how easy we can be happy. The book is full of insipiring questions.
Read
December 20, 2022Less sad 👍🏻
May 4, 2015
When I received this book I had no idea what it was. I hadn’t ordered any books recently and it appeared in my mail and am I glad it did! I spent some time thinking about this wonderful new magic of books randomly appearing on my doorstep, thanks Perigee, I then flipped through the book and knew this would be great. Perigee sent this to me in return for my honest opinion and I received no compensation for it.
After figuring out where it came from, I spent a few more minutes having an internal crisis over whether I should blog about it. I mean is it a book? Is it a workbook? (It’s both.) Then, I remembered I’ve written about much shorter works, and loose collections of words I wouldn’t even deign to call a book so why shouldn’t I post about it? Add in that May is Mental Health month and Self-Discovery month (who knew?!) and May 4-10 is National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week and this is the perfect time to have read it and to blog about it. But the best news for YOU, dear reader, is that the book comes out tomorrow, May 5th, so you should most definitely go out and get a copy!
Click here to continue reading on my blog The Oddness of Moving Things.
After figuring out where it came from, I spent a few more minutes having an internal crisis over whether I should blog about it. I mean is it a book? Is it a workbook? (It’s both.) Then, I remembered I’ve written about much shorter works, and loose collections of words I wouldn’t even deign to call a book so why shouldn’t I post about it? Add in that May is Mental Health month and Self-Discovery month (who knew?!) and May 4-10 is National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week and this is the perfect time to have read it and to blog about it. But the best news for YOU, dear reader, is that the book comes out tomorrow, May 5th, so you should most definitely go out and get a copy!
Click here to continue reading on my blog The Oddness of Moving Things.
May 24, 2015
Penguin Random House contacted me to see if I'd like to review this book for my blog. The subject sounded like a good match for my readers, but when it arrived I was pleasantly surprised to see it was a workbook. What a perfect idea.
Being told how to think better can be helpful, but being shown how to do it is infinitely better. This workbook encourages positive thinking and constructive visualizing, and the various exercises train the reader to cast aside negativity. The author shows that trying to be Happy can achieve the opposite effect when the task is difficult and failure is frequent. You might as well tell yourself that you will learn to fly like a bird by the end of the day. Instead, start smaller. Try to be less sad. Also known as taking baby steps, we cannot run before we can walk. This book gives a good foundation to begin retraining our minds to think about Depression differently.
I'll expound on this more on my blog. In the meantime, I highly recommend this book for those who want a friendly, non-pressuring guidebook to happier thinking.
Being told how to think better can be helpful, but being shown how to do it is infinitely better. This workbook encourages positive thinking and constructive visualizing, and the various exercises train the reader to cast aside negativity. The author shows that trying to be Happy can achieve the opposite effect when the task is difficult and failure is frequent. You might as well tell yourself that you will learn to fly like a bird by the end of the day. Instead, start smaller. Try to be less sad. Also known as taking baby steps, we cannot run before we can walk. This book gives a good foundation to begin retraining our minds to think about Depression differently.
I'll expound on this more on my blog. In the meantime, I highly recommend this book for those who want a friendly, non-pressuring guidebook to happier thinking.
December 28, 2015
A practical little workbook full of small things to do in the moment in order to feel less sad.
February 6, 2016
I am not a fan of self-help books but this make me realize things that I ignored :)
December 31, 2016
A simple guidance for a complicated mind of mine.
July 10, 2019
Nothing preachy and no “secrets to life”? I’m in.
July 18, 2019
Such a good self help book
September 23, 2020
Really helped when I was blue. Especially asking friends to write a sentence about me. Wow.
October 24, 2022
Helped me remember that it’s okay to feel sad or helpless and it’s actually quite normal. If you need to get your feelings out, this is a good way to do it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews