We are living in a fast and dynamic world. The economic and social pressure gets heavier daily, and our limited bodies and minds may not always catch up. Anxiety has therefore become a default setting. Unfortunately, most people do not realize its presence. We get so attuned to it that it becomes part of us. We are so harried trying to make ends meet and thrive that we lose touch with our core and sleepwalk through life. Anxiety, when left unchecked, culminates into chronic stress and depression, which eventually stifles our functionality, growth and relationships. We operate from the trauma inside, which only suffices during triggers and under pressure. Mental health campaigns have been sensitized more than ever, and Kenyans are starting to appreciate the importance of therapy. Unfortunately, a large chunk of our population is so primed for basic survival that therapy is considered a luxury at the lower bar of their priorities. They are not ignorant or unyielding, but not everyone can afford quality therapy. People adamant about finding alternate and affordable solutions have resulted in self-help books and podcasts. These books are not similar to personalized therapy, but they go a long way to create self-awareness and, eventually self-actualization. The Mountain is you by Brianna Wiest is a self-help book that a friend shared in our book club called the Vast Book Club. It has been a thriving guide to many since it is written with the utmost professional expertise. It equips one with a healthy coping toolkit that provides insights into self-awareness and self-growth. Brianna begins the book by using the analogy of climbing a mountain to navigate struggles. “Just as a mountain is formed when two sections of the ground are forced against one another, your mountain will arise out of coexisting but conflicting needs. Your mountain requires you to reconcile two parts of you: the conscious and the subconscious, the part of you that is aware of what you want and the part of you that is not aware of why you are still holding yourself back,” She says.
Brianna has made it clear that wanting to improve the quality of our lives demands proactivity that stems from within us. We must take charge of what we have full control over. This author has invested a lot of research while writing the book, particularly from psychology studies and interviews with licensed international therapists. Her lessons are highly informed, unlike the superficial and hollow teachings that make people shun mediocre motivational texts. She urges people to cease denial about their state of affairs and tackle their struggles head-on. She insists that being in a constant state of panic and anxiety is a sign that we face the reality of long-term unhealthy conditioning. Committing to change and outgrowing the habits that are making us linger and stagnate is vital. The discomfort we face, according to Brianna, is a wakeup that we need to lead more meaningful lives by living authentically and claiming our peace of mind. She terms worrying as the mind’s attempt to anticipate a threat, creating a false illusion of control. When we become accustomed to associating worry with safety, we end up giving in to baseless anxiety. Brianna describes emotional intelligence as allowing all ranges of emotions to pass through us without getting stuck on either. Negative feelings are pent-up and numb when they are not validated. Brianna concludes the book by encouraging her audience to live their best versions, an intersection of our interests, strengths and the world’s needs. Awareness has been her focal point throughout the book since that is where the internal work begins.