Why Should I Worry When I Can Face the World? | Shibu Nair | Book Review

CONCEPT: 4/5
WRITING: 3.5/5
RELEVANCE: 4/5
OVERALL: 3.5/5

When it comes to reading non-fiction self-help, I believe in Loyal ‘Jack’ Lewman’s famous quote, “Never stop learning; when we stop learning, we stop growing.”. Thus, whenever I come across a self-help book I give it my best. I give it my best attention, my best focus, and most important of all – my willingness to learn something new. 

If not new, then my willingness to reinforce and remember my previous learnings in the pursuit of becoming a better version of myself. Thus, with that thought in mind, I sat down to read Shibu Nair’s Why Should I Worry When I Can Face the World? A book that is short, succinct, and has many takeaways for anyone interested in growth and happiness.

First impressions

While the cover doesn’t do much to ignite the reader’s curiosity about the book, the blurb does a good job of catching and retaining one’s attention. The cover seems dull, unimaginative, and looks like a thousand other covers that might have pushed their books into oblivion. But the blurb addresses some crucial, urgent, and relatable issues.

What is the book all about?

At the core of the book lies not one, but a couple of urgent questions.

–       When we all want to be happy, why don’t we make efforts in the right direction?

–       Why do we delve into the past, and worry about the future, when we should be actively involved in the pursuit of living the present?

–       Why do we always keep worrying and overthinking even as we dream of peace?

–       When we are born free and raised carefreely, why do we eventually fall prey to anxiety and depression as we grow in age?

Why Should I Worry When I Can Face the World? attempts to provide some sincere answers and solutions to these conundrums.

What to expect?

Since the book is written in a simple and easy-to-understand language, with a focus on concepts and practicality, while deliberately steering away from redundancy and monotony, it can be easily picked up by beginners as well as regular readers.

Ample use of personal examples

The author understands that nonfiction without examples often ends up becoming a tedious monologue. Hence, he makes use of ample examples, most of which are derived from his personal life experiences as well as from those of his family, friends, and acquaintances. 

An optimum combination

The writing is an ideal combination of concepts and examples, used effectively for maximum understanding. I also love how the book doesn’t get preachy at any point but hand-holds the reader like a friend and philosopher, gently guiding her towards a better life.

The structuring of chapters

The chapters are structured in a way that they begin with a powerful quote, followed by the text, and concluded with an activity that ensures some major pondering and reflections on the part of the reader while urging them to participate.

Puts the reader at ease

The author has this ability which puts the reader immediately at ease, and slowly engages her attention by establishing an easy camaraderie. This is further boosted by sharing a generous number of experiences from both the author’s personal and professional life.

Bonus points for relatability 

I love how relatable the book really turns out to be. The issues and situations that the book mentions have been faced by most of us, and this universal applicability only enhances the book’s relatability factor.

What could have been better?

Now there are certain areas where the text may feel a tad repetitive but if you read the book a chapter a day, slowly absorbing the lessons it imparts, you should be good to go. 

What did I miss?

I always love it when nonfiction books include real-life examples of famous people/achievers/leaders. And also, when the text is complemented by even a little bit of secondary research or data. This, however, isn’t the case with Why Should I Worry When I Can Face the World? 

In the end

Why Should I Worry When I Can Face the World? is a book that will be of immense benefit to people who are constantly worried about the future, or brooding over the past, while forgetting to live in the present. It is a book for the worriers, givers, self-doubters, and underconfidents of the world, and would especially appeal to beginners.

As for regular readers, the book reinforces many learnings that they may have previously read in other such books on similar subjects. And in that sense, would turn out to be a helpful read.

Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of the book using the link below.