Be Yourself and Happier: The A-Z of Wellbeing

by Will Young

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Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook

224 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2022

About the author

Will Young is an English singer-songwriter and actor who came to prominence after winning the 2002 inaugural series of the British music contest Pop Idol, making him the first winner of the worldwide Idol franchise.

Reviews

[Emily B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simplistic but interesting and informative none the less.
It provided me recommendations for other books to read that look at these topics in more detail.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Yourself and Happier, by Will Young, is a self-help book he wrote after researching and trying out many different forms of therapy to overcome his challenges. I have to admit that when I picked it up I thought it would probably not be especially helpful for me because, you know, he’s a pop star and some pop stars, and especially other people known only as ‘celebrities’, are shallow and fluffy, and full of shit. Anyhow, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Will comes across as the most normal, nice guy who is totally not up his own arse, albeit with some issues, just trying to live his life the best he can. Just in case any of you don’t know, Will is gay, so he has had to deal with a lot of personal angst and abuse over the years, as well as the adoration, lots of money and being treated like a king. He also freely admits to have been an arse (asshole if you’re in the US) at times but god, who hasn’t? Will became famous when it was still a bit of a big deal to come out as gay, so he announced it to the world – brave man. Luckily, the world already loved him and his music, even though it was at the very beginning of his career, so that helped, but naturally he still has/had a lot of stuff in his head from growing up and dealing with life.

This book is designed to help people because Will likes to help people – see, I told you he is nice (I’ve never met him, btw). The book is an A-Z of issues, therapies, techniques, ideas and things that work for him. It has very small sections on each topic, and is written in Will’s down to earth, colloquial style that is easy to read and understand. He is not an expert so there are no great explanations of mental conditions, just how you and I would understand them. He isn’t saying, ‘This is how you should do it’, he is offering many different suggestions as to what may help you in your quest to become less fucked up than you are. Some of them would cost a lot of money, sure, but some won’t, and anyway if you can afford it, the expensive ways are worth the money of you end up a better person at the end of it.

This is not a book to read once. I think I will need to read it a few times to get the full benefit, and maybe even take some of the advice – I need to.

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned/the content of this book made me feel…

“This is why expression is so important because, if we don't express, we turn in on ourselves and this is where depression and anxiety come from; we collapse in on ourselves or move into a state of hypervigilance. It is essential to get our feelings OUT. Get the feelings out and keep on getting them out because, if left to swirl around inside, they will make us ill - emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. Speak your truth, draw your truth, dance your truth ... however you express yourself, make sure you do”

I really enjoy books like this as a concept, as not only does it appeal to my base level of enjoying the alphabet (and letting me chart my way through a book through an alternative method to page numbers or chapters!), but more importantly it gives another approach to being able to see into the authors mindset. As a person that loves a good title to aid the apt selection of a Spotify playlist (currently on themes, seasons and feelings) these headings for tips on well-being allowed me to think about things from a different perspective. The end destination may have been the same, but the priority for the route was good to see.

Fairly short chapters that makes it easy to digest, my only criticism was that it did sound a bit too ‘I’ve learned this in my therapy, so really is the best advice’ in places, but Young is a person that’s quite up front about his own mental health, and has dealt with several huge challenging elements in life, so I couldn’t be surprised. Great if you’re looking for a therapy book that’s not too intensive but instead offers insight for everyday life issues

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, the examples were brilliant for understanding.

[Shae Weir · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surface level writing. Will Young generalises experiences he's never had, misrepresenting some mental illnesses and non-white cultures.

Young writes from an individualistic viewpoint, barely referencing societal causes for mental poor health, and blaming the individual (in a very CBT way) for their own problems, as if it's possible for us to take responsibility for being mentally ill in a world that causes us to be this way.

I feel this book will only be useful to someone who has never heard of wellbeing before and is looking for a very basic introduction.

There are some redeeming factors in that it reminded me of some aspects I ignore in terms of wellbeing for myself and others. The language is accessible, and the book is easy to navigate.

I recommend watching a YouTube video or googling a list on wellbeing models instead of wasting your money on this book.

[Tolu]

2.5 stars rounded up to 3.


This was a cute book and whilst it does have some good advice and is overall quite positive, I do think in some ways it's quite reductionist in regards to the impact your surroundings can have on you.

(almost why be angry when you can be 'not angry'? type energy)

Is this going to be helpful to someone? almost certainly

Was it helpful to ME? A little bit.

would i recommend? it's a 3 star book to me but i can see how it would be a 5 star book to someone else. also do note this is a celebrity who has valuable first hand experience and is relatable but sometimes a professional is what is truly needed...

certain chapters are certainly more revisitable than others

[Terri Van Steen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book at all!! It is written like someone has had 2 therapy sessions and then thinks they know absolutely everything about mental health. The A-Z feature was just a gimmick that didn’t work

[Sally Boocock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting to read.Well thought out and informative with lots of information to give thought to.

[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

(AB) Very informative, reflective and thorough.

[George Russell-Stracey]

Rating this book would be unfair because I didn’t read it to utilise it’s lessons. I picked this up after a talk I went to earlier this year. Will breaks down his experiences though a multitude of exercises, therapies and life lessons that, in conclusion, form an intelligent and informative handbook. The ‘A-Z’ approach is interactive, accessible and profoundly highlights the numerous available methods for us to explore, experiment with and use to heal.

[K.A. Wyllie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comforting, Empowering, and Deeply Relatable

Be Yourself and Happier by Will Young is a warm, honest, and empowering read—especially as an audiobook in his own voice. I read along on my Kindle while listening, and the combination made for an incredibly soothing and personal experience. It’s a wonderful resource for anyone caring for their mental health or navigating anxiety and people-pleasing.

As someone living with a disability, I connected deeply with his reflections on hypervigilance and emotional over-functioning. As a pansexual woman, I also resonated with the chapter on coming out—or as I prefer to think of it, revealing myself. Will speaks with courage and vulnerability about the shame, fear, and eventual freedom that come with living authentically.

His gentle delivery and candid insights helped me feel validated and reminded me that the masks we wear can be gently let go. This book also deepened my gratitude for my chosen family—those who love me unconditionally. A heartfelt, healing companion on the journey back to yourself.

[Johnny Donnelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an insightful and empowering guide that encourages readers to embrace their authentic selves. Young draws on personal experiences and professional insights to explore themes of self-acceptance and mental well-being. The book is structured around practical advice, engaging anecdotes, and reflective exercises that promote personal growth. Young's candid writing style makes complex psychological concepts accessible, while his warmth and humour create an inviting atmosphere for readers. This book not only inspires but also equips individuals with the tools to navigate life's challenges, ultimately fostering a deeper sense of happiness and fulfilment.

This would be the perfect gift for someone who is new to the idea of caring for their mental wellness. As a practising therapist, I didn't necessarily learn anything new from this book but found a gentle reminder on every page.

I can't wait to read Will's first book now.

[Christine Busuttil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a brief easy to understand guide about what worked for Will.
I really read it out of curiosity after I saw his program on tv about the sad death of his twin brother.
It confirmed to me what a very fortunate person I am and what a happy childhood I generally had.It also confirmed how what I do and the way I behave most of the time,( no-one is perfect,)is on the right path for both me and those around me general happiness and wellbeing
I liked the simplicity of the book also with the index in the back which enabled me to locate the section of foot exercises which I wanted to try out
I probably would give it another star for its honesty but feel its size makes it more of a booklet than a book.

[PrettyFlamingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book cover and enjoyed the read. Will has been through a lot of mental health issues and doesn't claim to be a professional, but instead shares tips and tricks that have worked for him. I found it helpful and interesting, and something to keep and look at for inspiration at the times you need it. I found some of the A-Z segments resonated with me more than others, and it is a book that will stay on my shelf.

[Lavanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very simple to read self-help book. The A-Z approach is useful if you are someone who is keen to understand various terminologies and techniques. However, if you are the sort of a person who is looking for a structured approach to make your life better and happier, please don't waste your time with this book.

[Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple and quite concise overview of terms and methods to improve your well-being and mindfulness. Sure, it's not the most revolutionary but it offers a good introduction to how to start especially if you've never delved into this area before.

[Kayleigh Lock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good little helper book. Throughly enjoyed reading this book.

[rebeca garrity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books gives such great advice, it’s quite short which makes it very useful to have in hand and read again if you’d like.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the layout of this book short informative sections about wellbeing done in the alphabet.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, a good plane read.

[Rachael Johnson Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* for this book. Quite enjoyed listening to his views on some of the topics and he offers some great advice on anxiety and mental health.

[Favour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing advice definitely recommend it I sometimes go back to the book anytime I feel some type of way

[Daniel Askew-Hargreaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening but love more about him

[Helen James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful

[Suzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short summary of each word from the A-Z of Wellbeng lasting one to six minutes, such as social anxiety, negative energy, positive attachment and joy.