My life is in crisis. I am a mess. I need help, but I'm poor...so self-help it is.

I picked this book because the title spoke to me - I see self improvement as a project, something that will take work and isn't as simple as reading some inspirational quotes on Insta. But also, I don't really do spiritual. So a straight talking approach with a realistic approach sounded perfect to me.

This book is set out really well - each section contains a short discussion and then some practical exercises for you to apply. The sections mean you can take what you need and leave what you don't in a really clear way, and makes this a book that you can return to when different things come up in life. Some topics were more applicable to me than others, but the book embraces that. As promised, it also doesn't shroud its advice in spirituality or inaccessible concepts - this is down to earth, accessible and inclusive no matter what your beliefs.

When I started reading and realised that Holly Matthews was, in her early life, an actor in one of my favourite childhood tv programmes (Byker Grove...don't judge), I was both delighted and sceptical - how did that equip her to dole out advice? However, her life after the Grove has taken a different path. She isn't qualified in psychology, but she has turned her interest in self improvement into a career as a life coach. So whilst she doesn't have the qualifications as such, I found her advice is backed with research and in most cases brought together well popular concepts with actionable exercises to actually put them into practice.

However, I did feel that this book tries to cover so many things that nothing is really given the deep dive you may need. I suppose in those cases, you should seek out specific sources that do go deeper. So this is more of a jumping off point for self improvement. And for me, as I've read slightly wider in this genre, I did find it quite surface level. I enjoyed Holly's voice and the format of this book, but for anyone really struggling or going through a specific trauma or mental health struggle then this might not be as helpful as it would be for someone who just needs to get them out of a rut.

What a great 'tell it like it is' book of navigating your way through life. I picked up this book at a time when I really needed to hear Holly's advice. The chapter that struck me most and I found really comforting is when Holly talks about facing challenges in life and how important it is to notice when we are in a lull or period of respite from those times and fill those moments with life, love, good experiences and appreciation. I like Holly's very conversational style of writing. The chapters are short and get to the point and Holly shares a lot of her own experiences, including losing her husband and father of their two daughters. I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of this book and I look forward to buying a hard copy and filling it with notes of my own. I firmly believe this will be a bestseller and will help many people who might be struggling or just simply want to live their life to the full.

Thank you NetGalley for the super early ARC in exchange for an honest review

I found Hollys writing to be a very positive book, which straight to the point, which is what I like. No BS or chatting. Just saying it how it is.

I think this will help a lot of people
And mindsets alike.

Everyone should try the Happy Me Project

Ok, so I've only read a few chapters, and I'm in love with this book! Holly writes about the brain and how it works using easy analogies that anyone can understand and not just those with degrees, it's a user-friendly way to understand your brain! Often when books talk about these things it makes you feel a little thick if I'm honest but Holly's way of writing makes me feel anything but that.
She writes in a light-hearted fashion but I think that just helps you take everything she's saying in even more because you're not slogging through a mass of serious, word-heavy information to get to what you need.
In short, this book is great (so far but I can't see that changing) and I foresee it being something I will jump back to with great frequency.

A very positive book, which straight to the point, which is what I like about it.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Great book, easy to follow and some really useful tips for day to day use. I love how it's broken down into easy go to sections to pick up just when you need it. It's clear that Holly Matthews knows her stuff and has plenty of life experience to go with it. Go check out her podcasts too, you will not be disappointed!
#TheHappyMeProject #NetGalley

I loved this, I have recently read a book about creating habits and this reinforced that with a more general over review. I only took a star off for not quite looking at trauma. Otherwise loved it.