Details from Audible:
- By: Julie Smith
- Narrated by: Julie Smith
- Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins
- 4.6 out of 5 stars (632 ratings)
Publisher’s summary
“Smart, insightful, and warm. Dr. Julie is both the expert and wise friend we all need.” –Lori Gottlieb, New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone and co-host of the “Dear Therapists” podcast?
Drawing on years of experience as a clinical psychologist, online sensation Dr Julie Smith provides the skills you need to navigate common life challenges and take charge of your emotional and mental health in her debut book.
Filled with secrets from a therapist’s toolkit,Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before teaches you how to fortify and maintain your mental health, even in the most trying of times. Dr Julie Smith’s expert advice and powerful coping techniques will help you stay resilient, whether you want to manage anxiety, deal with criticism, cope with depression, build self-confidence, find motivation, or learn to forgive yourself. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before tackles everyday issues and offers practical solutions in bite-sized, easy-to-digest entries which make it easy to quickly find specific information and guidance.
Your mental well-being is just as important as your physical well-being. Packed with proven strategies, Dr. Julie’s empathetic guide offers a deeper understanding of how your mind works and gives you the insights and help you need to nurture your mental health every day. Wise and practical, Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before might just change your life.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2022 Julie Smith (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers
Initial Thoughts:
Since 2021 I’ve been on a mental health journey, like a lot of people the pandemic really hit me hard. Since then I’m doing a lot better and so I listen to book like this to get ideas, clarify my thoughts and help me continue to learn and grow not only as a person but as a more positive and happy person. I quite enjoy listening to these kinds of books and when I found this on Audible, and I do have a preference for a book written and read by the author, I decided to give it a listen.
Main Points:
I loved this book! It’s full of great practical tips on many aspects of life and lots of concepts/ideas that anyone with anxiety and depression will find very helpful. She gives personal examples, which was a great idea, and makes everything relatable. For example she talked about confronting your fears, like a fear of heights. While it’s easy to just avoid going anywhere higher up, especially when you might have to look down, doing so means you’ll never get over your fear, it’s only by facing it that it starts to lose it’s power over you. I’d love to give more specific examples but I listened to it over a long period of time and my memory isn’t what it used to be. I do remember one part I agreed with 100%, she talks a good bit about how important it is to exercise and get fresh air. Exercise not only helps your body it helps your mind and fresh air does the same, we were meant to move and be outside and when we ignore/choose not to do both of those things it makes you a less healthy and happy person.
Final Thoughts:
Like any mental health book I didn’t agree with everything she said and I didn’t find every part useful but I think 90% of this or more will help anyone with their mental health journey. She has a lovely speaking voice and the voice work is excellent here. While I won’t be using the PDF, it is a nice added bonus for readers. I give this book a solid 8.5 out of 10. I quite enjoyed how most of the chapters are very short, precise and to the point and how all her tips are very practical. I would highly recommend this to anyone who would like to better understand their own mind and be a happier and healthier person. I would say, however, that’s not for children and would recommend ages 16+. I could see myself listening to this again and I hope Dr. Smith does more audiobooks in the future.