Maybe it sounds familiar to you: the idea of feeling a bit stuck in your life. That can be related to your relationship, your work, or just with yourself. That feeling has become so much stronger for me since corona. You can do much less and sometimes it feels so hopeless. Last March (we've been in this misery for a year now) I optimistically thought that by the end of summer things would be normal again — and in winter we could definitely laugh about that little coronavirus. Well, that turned out differently... And then sometimes it’s quite difficult as a thirty-something living alone in Amsterdam with an awkward love life. As I said: that must sound familiar to you.

But I don't make it too gloomy, and sitting down and feeling sorry for myself is definitely not something for me, which is why I ordered this book: The Happiness Trap. That might sound a bit airy-fairy but it really isn't at all. This book is based on the six principles of ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, very handy and concrete points that can influence your thinking and actions. Whether it's to reduce your stress, control your panic attacks, or work on your self-confidence: ACT can be used for almost anything.

This book is of course one ‘for dummies’, or for beginners. You can start by being happy with what you have. Not wanting more all the time, but appreciating more what is already in your life at that moment and what is happening so that your real goals become clearer. Okay, sorry, this might sound a bit airy-fairy after all.

Anyway, this book is really a recommendation. It reads very easily and even if you are just feeling perfectly fine, it is incredibly interesting. Ideal to read on a sunny Sunday.