Reviewed by Becky Walsh.

The Full title of this book is 'Reclaiming Happiness - 8 strategies for an authentic life and greater peace'. Now I have to confess, that whenever I pick up a book that says ‘10 steps to bla bla bla’ or ‘5 ways to XYZ’ my body goes stiff. Life can’t be placed into easy steps that will make us happy, surely every person is different, and one happiness boot does not fit all?! But this isn’t what Nicola Phoenixis saying; in fact she declares very clearly that she doesn’t have all the answers, but what she does have is wisdom.

Nicola has accumulated wisdom from many years as a psychologist and this is combined with sharp observations from her own life experience. Her clarity of writing makes you feel like you are reading a letter from a friend who knows you perfectly. She has a remarkable way of pointing out the obvious so that it smacks you in the face and says wake up and ‘remember’. As an author she is aware that she isn’t reinventing the wheel, but bringing you back to something inside of yourself that you might have forgotten. Nicola calls it ‘Reclaiming Happiness’.

I wondered... “Why am I reading a book on happiness when I am not unhappy?” However, as I continued to read I was re-connected with the all-important personal connections we often miss when we’re busy doing something else that seems more important than who we really are.   Personally, I work with many of these ideas anyway with my own clients. I know emotions play a large part in what part of the brain we are using to function. During happy emotions we are much more likely to be engaged in the neocortex part of the brain which comes up with creative ideas and inspiration. Rather than the reptilian part of the brain which brings is into ‘flight, fight or freeze’ mode. By reading Nicola’s book we are given ways to stay thinking from the best part of our minds.

As an intuitive therapist, author and teacher myself, it’s so easy to keep working to lessen other peoples crises.  So the book helped me remember to keep a balanced life of work and play. Therefore I have renewed my resolve to exercise, and I’m now back at the gym as a result. Thank you Nicola.

Reclaiming Happiness is hand bag sized and I believe it’s a lovely book to carry on you whenever you are going through a life transition or a period of lack of self-esteem. It’s a perfect ‘pick me up’ and wonderful reminder to how amazing life really is.