This Close to Happy: 2 Minutes Summary

1 SENTENCE SUMMARY: This Close to Happy is an intimate exploration of a woman’s lifelong battle with depression, and her courageous journey to find hope and joy in life.

“The ultimate goal is to make peace with the self, and that may require as much effort as making peace with the world.”

Quick Info

Overview

This Close to Happy is the poignant and revealing memoir of Daphne Merkin, a Jewish woman born in New York City and raised in an affluent home.

Merkin provides a raw, honest and at times brutally honest account of her lifelong struggles with depression, which she traces back to her early childhood.

Through her story, she demonstrates the power of resilience and the ability to find glimmers of hope in the darkest of times.

With unflinching clarity, Merkin delves into her personal history, exploring the psychological sources of her depression and the ways in which she has sought to free herself from its oppressive grip.

With insight and grace, she invites readers to draw strength from her story and to recognize their own capacity for resilience and hope.

4 Key Lessons from This Close to Happy by Daphne Merkin

1. Accepting Your Feelings

One of the main lessons of This Close to Happy is to accept your feelings and not feel ashamed or guilty for having them.

Daphne Merkin emphasizes that it is important to recognize and name our feelings, no matter how uncomfortable they may be.

This will help us to better understand and cope with our emotions.

By understanding and accepting our feelings, we can be more honest and open with ourselves, which can lead to better mental health and improved relationships with others.

2. Letting Go of Perfectionism

This Close to Happy also stresses the importance of letting go of perfectionism.

Merkin reminds us that it is okay to make mistakes and to not be perfect all the time.

We can learn from our mistakes and use them as an opportunity to grow.

When we let go of the need to be perfect, we can focus on our strengths and be more accepting of ourselves and our imperfections.

3. Reaching Out for Support

This Close to Happy also reminds us that it is okay to reach out for support.

Merkin emphasizes the importance of connecting with people and sharing our experiences.

By reaching out for help, we can get the support we need to move through difficult times.

This can help us to reduce our feelings of isolation and can provide us with a sense of connection and community.

4. Prioritizing Self-Care

Lastly, This Close to Happy reminds us to prioritize self-care.

Merkin stresses the importance of taking care of our physical and mental health.

This means taking the time to do things that make us feel good, such as taking a walk or reading a book.

Taking care of ourselves is essential for our physical and mental well-being and can help us to better manage our emotions and cope with difficult situations.

Who Should Read It

This book should be read by people who are struggling with depression, mental illness, and suicidal thoughts, as well as by loved ones of those who have been affected by these issues.

Where to Get It

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About Daphne Merkin

Daphne Merkin is a writer and critic who has written extensively on topics related to culture and psychology.

She is the author of several books, including her 2016 memoir This Close to Happy, which was long-listed for the National Book Critics Circle Award.

She has written for a number of publications, including The New Yorker, Elle, and The New York Times.

Merkin is a professor of English and Creative Writing at Hunter College, and is a consulting editor at the literary magazine The Paris Review.

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Other Depression Books you may Like:

• Best Books on Depression
• This Is Depression by Diane McIntosh
• Thrive by Richard Layard
• Undoing Depression by Richard O’Connor
• Unholy Ghost by Nell Casey

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Over to You

If you already read This Close to Happy by Daphne Merkin, please take a moment to rate it and maybe write your feedback in the comments. You’ll help other readers make the best choice.

Thanks a lot,
Simon

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