Self-helpLESS: A Cynic's Search for Sanity

by Rebecca Davis

Everywhere she looked, the world was in poor shape. And because she’d quit drinking, she no longer had the comfort blanket of alcohol to tamp down her anxiety. How did sober people stay sane?

In recent times, the self-help industry has exploded into a multi-billion dollar global industry – and along with it has come every imaginable type of therapy, healing or general woo-woo. In the past, Rebecca scoffed at this industry, mocking its reliance on half-baked science and the way it appears to prey on the mentally fragile.

But as she searched for a meaning of life that did not involve booze, she found it increasingly hard to rationalize her default scepticism. This shit really seems to work for some people, she reasoned. And it’s not like I have any particularly solid alternatives.

Rebecca lives in Cape Town, the undisputed epicentre of ‘alternative’ paths to peace and enlightenment in South Africa. She decided that over the course of a year, she would embark on a quest for personal wellness, spiritual enlightenment and good old-fashioned happiness. She was willing, within reason, to try anything. She would open herself to even the most outlandish contemporary fads in self-improvement.

What followed was a twelve-month immersion in the world of auras, chakras, hallucinogenic drugs, sweat lodges, sangomas, past lives and more.

And by the end of it? Maybe she would find some new ways of thinking and living. Or maybe she would emerge with her prejudices untouched.

Either way, it would be a good story.

Genres: Self Help

209 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

I write the Untwisting Scriptures series of books for those who have experienced spiritual abuse that includes the twisting of Scriptures.

I also offer "untwistings" on my blog, heresthejoy.com, and in emails to my email subscribers.

Before writing for adults, I wrote nonfiction for children and young people--biographies of great Christians, true stories of "hidden heroes" in various countries, and two devotional books for children.

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca took me on what I would go through should I ever have the need to self-discover. Some of the practices she tried to achieve spiritual growth and enlightenment were questionable. Had me going over my bookshelf searching for "Self-help" titles. Found two...Lean In and I'd Rather Eat Chocolate. Sigh.

Firstly, magic mushrooms. Even I would have told her "NO GO"...The decluttering session was hilarious. Left me in stiches. The sweat lodge was totally creepy. in all fairness, we all, at some point in our lives, search for our "Eat, Pray, Love" moment. Cannot help but wonder how costly this adventure was. At the end of the day, the price, literal or figurative, is the decider.

Loved her account of this journey. Delivered in a witty and non-judgemental tone. The encounter with Dr. Musa had me rolling on the floor with laughter. Next time you need a sangoma, Rebecca, there's a reputable one on twitter @noksangoma. EVERYBODY KNOWS SHE IS THE REAL DEAL!!!!

[Alistair Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Rebecca’s first book and I loved this. Her writing is smart and laugh-out-loud funny but it also handles the subject of this book (the great question - what does it all mean?) really beautifully. It’s not just jokes. There are moments of real pathos. I related to so much of this journey, had a good cry or two, and put it down feeling weirdly connected to her experience and relieved not to be alone in feeling how I feel most of the time, even if there are no answers to make the shit-show of mortality any easier.

[Paige Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, clever, smart-smart-smart Rebecca Davis at her best. ❤️

When Rebecca decided to go clean and serene and stop drinking, she spent a year in a search of calm, serenity and sanity. What she found in its place is very very funny.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I laughed so hard and enjoyed Rebecca’s reflection on her search for sanity. I couldn’t put it down.
So glad I decided to go to the launch at Love Books.

[Tania Kliphuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fresh, funny, smart and highly entertaining.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, was well written and funny, found myself laughing out loud quite often. Covers some serious stuff in a not so serious but honest manner.

[Pete Farlam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Rebecca Davis is a delight - funny, cynical, wise, thought-provoking.
In this book she embarks on a fascinating and often hilarious quest for better health, enlightenment, happiness, whatever. Whether it is going to a "Sacred Mushroom Ceremony" or a silent retreat, a sweat lodge or a sangoma, Davis will go there.

As a psychologist I read a smattering of self-help books (The Road Less Travelled etc.) This is the best one since Oliver Burkeman's The Antidote: Happiness for People who can't stand positive thinking. Read this and share it with your friends. Just don't steal it!

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebecca Davis lives in Cape Town - land of drought and money and 'undisputed epicentre of "alternative" paths to peace and enlightenment in South Africa'. She has recently given up booze, and is on a search for life's true meaning. She's not at all sure she'll find it, but reckons either way, it'll make for a good story.

And it does.

Rebecca is clever, witty and has a way with words. A search for the meaning of life would have been entertaining with just these qualities. However, she is also brave (she dives right into things that'll make your hair stand on end or your toes curl, depending on your preferences) and she's also been through a lot.

Read my full review here.

[Shitesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, amusing trip through a number of self-help practices. No doubt it’ll be very relatable to many people that are doing some soul-searching. I learned a bit about some wellness fads I hadn’t heard of before—sweat lodges sound pretty crazy, and not in a good way! It’s also nice that it’s written by a fellow Capetonian—I didn’t know sensory deprivation tanks were a thing here! Perhaps I should check them out…

Don't look for too much deep insight here—for me, the most interesting chapter in that regard was the opening one on the author’s relationship with alcohol—but of course, this isn’t a self-help book. It’s an account of a cynical, sceptical woman’s experiences with self-help, and it’s nice to be able to read such a personal, fun, and well-written example of such.

[Joanne Olivier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved every moment of this book. I am a self declared wellness cynic and yet also completely open to the ideas and practices and sincerity of it when coming from source and not some new age capitalistic trend. I feel like Rebecca Davis and I could have a good few laughs together. Not often you read a book that makes you think, damn, someone else also feels like that. Unapologetic, un PC, cynical and so real. I went to the very same sweat lodge Rebecca did, and let’s just say, I won’t ever be returning again either. Your wit, ability to make every day things so easy to read and relate to and laugh at is incredible. I miss you on Twitter and damn I wish I had written this book. Hugely enjoyable and recommendable.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book on the multi-million dollar self-help industry is well-researched by the author personally, and is in parts hilarious. I especially loved the Marie Kondo section on de-cluttering your life. I had previously watched this Japanese celebrity’s reality television show, which I found unbelievably astounding. How she has created a highly lucrative business from showing gullible US citizens how to throw away their unwanted items “with love and appreciation” I personally cannot comprehend.
There are other self-help workshops the author writes about with cynicism and humour. But her writing is always down-to -earth and witty.
I spent my public holiday reading this book. I found it compelling and well worth the time spent. I’ll certainly read more of her writing in future.

[dina a ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clarity, Sanity, and some great laughable moments!

This book will have you laughing to tears and thinking long and hard before you embark on a crazy wellness challenge! Enlightening when it doesn’t seem to intentend to be and uplifting in those empty moments. Highly recommend!

[Liz & COTTON · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frivolous, frothy, amusing, easy read of short articles on the author's search for the meaning of life.

[Annelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and her take on the whole 'self-help' industry.

[Cassey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, easy, funny and entertaining read of Rebecca's Davis journey in trying to figure out what life is. The right read for anyone who wants to figure life out, but is so not a crunchy person :)

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly did laugh out loud, several times whilst reading this book. This is a rare event.

[Don Packett · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read. While I think of myself as a ‘questioner of everything’, Davis’ views on the world are entertaining and thought-provoking, and more often than not, hilarious. Just superb.

[Alison Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Capetonian explores the self-help/Wellness industry. Enlightening! see http://thebooksmithblog.wordpress.com for full review

[John Spiers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading about the journey. Great humour and will be especially enjoyed if you live in Cape Town - many nearby experiences to put on your bucket list.