Happiness, Anxiety, and Writing: Using Your Creativity To Live A Calmer, Happier Life (Writing As A Second Career)

Asking What If? and imagining the worst possible outcome ratchets up conflict in stories. For that very reason, in real life it can create or heighten anxiety. So do many other habits writers and creative people develop.
But it doesn't need to be that way.
You can use your imagination and writing skills to create a calmer, happier life.
In this book you'll learn:
- Techniques to derail anxious thoughts you otherwise repeat;
- Ways to talk to yourself and others that promote calm rather than reinforce worry;
- Specific, targeted exercises to direct your creative mind and imagination in a positive way;
- How and when to write and rewrite the best parts of your life for greater happiness;
and more.
Part memoir, part How To, Happiness, Anxiety, and Writing explains clear, simple steps to lower anxiety and stress, solve problems, and increase happiness. It includes examples from the author's own journey from being gripped by anxiety to a healthier, happier life.

A vivid imagination when you are a creative person is avital component to your personality, but when that spills into your personallife it can cause distress and anxiety. Throughout this comprehensive guide,Happiness, Anxiety, and Writing by Lisa M Lilly, you will not only learn how torewrite your thought processes when they do nothing to serve your well being,but you will discover how to completely shift the inner workings of your mindand, in turn, your thoughts and behaviors. Explore how you can find solutionsto overcoming obstacles, stop overthinking and start taking action and settinggoals that inspire you to succeed not cause you to quit, plus so much more.This is not a quick fix positive thinking guide but a step by step manual withexercises at the end of each chapter to transform your mindset to one ofoptimism and peacefulness.
 
The major aspect of this guide that I most enjoyed and foundbeneficial was that it didn't profess to be a quick fix solution, which youfind in the majority of self-help books. The techniques and exercises werereally helpful to shift my focus and place a brake on my imagination when it isrunning out of control. I loved the analogy of 'needle stuck in the groove of arecord' and this is something I am going to visualize when I am asking myselfthe 'what if?' question. The explanation of the flight or fight syndrome andthe magnification of problems was invaluable. I spent the entire time readingthis guide nodding my head because it was as if this book was writtenespecially for me. I thought the solutions given to changing your mindset weresimple to execute but had extraordinary results. This would make a perfect giftfor anyone with a creative imagination.
 
Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite