After my last CBT session it became apparent that perfectionism was really causing me problems. Although I have read a lot about depression I knew little about being a perfectionist (actually I know a lot about being a perfectionist - just not the whys, hows etc) and the psychologist recommended that I might want to read about it. I enjoy reading books and have a lot of books on self-help, cbt, depression and buddhism so an excuse to buy another book sounded good to me.

Anyway, I found this little book called "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...and It's All Small Stuff" by Richard Carlson and it's just a small book containing thoughts and suggestions on improving your life. There isn't any big idea and it's one of those common sense type books that reminds you of stuff you already but has quite a lot of new stuff as well (new to me anyway!). It's a book about trying to make small changes, a book about taking 10 minutes out of your day to try to do something different, to break the bad habits and start new good ones. The idea being that your new habits get easier and easier and gradually become a bigger part of your life.

I have problems letting things go and accepting things (try telling me "life is unfair" and I'll be upset forever!) and this little book has made me change my actions without even thinking about it. The nice thing is that this isn't a book about mental health as such, it's just a book about trying to be happier with yourself and the things that happen to you. I don't agree with each of the suggestions but that doesn't matter it's still a great book.

This is a book I would recommend to anyone even if your already quite happy with life.