Dare To Be You by Matthew Syed

A non-fiction self-help guide to not giving a hoot about what anyone else thinks.

Growing up is confusing, especially when you’re trying not to ‘let people down’ or ‘live up to’ someone else’s expectations. If you fancy being free from all that, this is the book for you.

Matthew Syed is a two time Olympic champion tennis tabler and has plenty of experience doing the wrong things (like, almost burning down a bakery! Carrying a skateboard to and from school every day for a year! And worst of all, throwing his favorite book in the bin before he’d finished it!) just because it seemed ‘cool’. He even took a job he hated because everyone else thought it was such an opportunity for him.

Although some of the language in this book might seem a little patronising at times, it’s sage advice for adults just as much as younger readers. It’s also pretty funny as he recounts his childhood of fashion disasters, embarrassing parents and stupid decisions. It would be enormously useful if you’re someone who often says no to things because that pesky Kid Doubt (Matthew’s metaphor for your own worries) gets in the way and makes you believe things that aren’t true. Things like ‘I’m not good enough’, ‘I don’t deserve this’, or even , ‘I couldn’t possibly.’ Matthew’s question is, why ever not? Stick to the plan, your manifesto for living (which he’ll help you create along your reading journey) and dare to be you.

This is a book for #anxiety #growingup #isolation #selfdoubt

Video review here.