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Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It
In December of 2011, I gave a talk to an audience of scientists, Pentagon officials, politicians, and CEO's on the secret of life and how I'd figured it out the previous summer.
Afterwards, people came up individually and told me how much what I'd shared meant to them. This book is based on the truth I spoke about.
It's something I learned from within myself, something I believed saved me. And more than that, the way I set about to do it.
This is a collection of thoughts on what I learned, what worked, what didn't. Where I succeed and importantly, where I fail daily.
The truth is to love yourself with the same intensity you would use to pull yourself up if you were hanging off a cliff with your fingers. As if your life depended upon it. Once you get going, it's not hard to do. Just takes commitment and I'll share how I did it.
It's been transformative for me. I know it will be transformative for you as well.
Afterwards, people came up individually and told me how much what I'd shared meant to them. This book is based on the truth I spoke about.
It's something I learned from within myself, something I believed saved me. And more than that, the way I set about to do it.
This is a collection of thoughts on what I learned, what worked, what didn't. Where I succeed and importantly, where I fail daily.
The truth is to love yourself with the same intensity you would use to pull yourself up if you were hanging off a cliff with your fingers. As if your life depended upon it. Once you get going, it's not hard to do. Just takes commitment and I'll share how I did it.
It's been transformative for me. I know it will be transformative for you as well.
68 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 2012
About the author
Kamal Ravikant
5 books483 followersI've been fortunate enough to have some amazing experiences in my life so far. I've trekked to one of the highest base camps in the Himalayas, meditated with Tibetan monks in the Dalai Lama's monastery, earned my US Army Infantry patch, walked 550 miles across Spain, lived in Paris, been the only non-black, non-woman member of the Black Women's writers' group, written a novel, held the hands of dying patients, and worked with some of the best people in Silicon Valley.
But the most transformative experience has been the simple act of loving myself.
But the most transformative experience has been the simple act of loving myself.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,204 reviews
April 22, 2013
Yes, the book is short, simple and reiterates a familiar self-help axiom. No, it's probably not going to tell you anything you don't already know, at least intellectually.
But here's the thing: It's a really, really good place to start when you are so low you've forgotten everything you ever knew about being happy.
It's simple, stuff, really, the way he presents it. But it isn't so simple or obvious for the person who lives within a paradigm of fear. When dealing with anxiety (which is closely related to depression) the most "commonsense" reaction is to try to treat the fear and get yourself to just be "brave".
I personally spent years chasing demons before I realized that this doesn't get you anything but more fear. You can't fight fear. But you can shift it into something else.
It is my opinion, that energetically speaking, love is the opposite of fear, rather than courage (which is really just fear you are willing to confront), and this is why "loving yourself" so effectively addresses fear.
Fear makes it very difficult to experience love. But the opposite is also true, and this is the magic of the book. The more you can pull yourself towards the love end of the continuum, the more you squeeze out fear.
Love expands what fear has contracted, a process that creates a domino affect in your life.
But here's the thing: It's a really, really good place to start when you are so low you've forgotten everything you ever knew about being happy.
It's simple, stuff, really, the way he presents it. But it isn't so simple or obvious for the person who lives within a paradigm of fear. When dealing with anxiety (which is closely related to depression) the most "commonsense" reaction is to try to treat the fear and get yourself to just be "brave".
I personally spent years chasing demons before I realized that this doesn't get you anything but more fear. You can't fight fear. But you can shift it into something else.
It is my opinion, that energetically speaking, love is the opposite of fear, rather than courage (which is really just fear you are willing to confront), and this is why "loving yourself" so effectively addresses fear.
Fear makes it very difficult to experience love. But the opposite is also true, and this is the magic of the book. The more you can pull yourself towards the love end of the continuum, the more you squeeze out fear.
Love expands what fear has contracted, a process that creates a domino affect in your life.
November 11, 2012
My main takeaway is this: Anything worth attaining, including your own happiness, takes practice and work.
A couple months ago, when I temporarily got lost [See: How to Get Lost] and forgot why I was traveling, I came to a simple realization: To prevent this from happening again, I must constantly remind myself why I’m here.
From that point on, I decided that every single day, I would reconnect with The Why. Daily. Constantly. Always remember why.
From this realization came another, simpler realization: Anything worth attaining takes practice and work. Including something as simple as reminding myself why I’m traveling.
In this stream of thought, two types of people came to mind: Athletes and Monks. Why does the athlete practice daily? Why does the monk pray all day, every day?
Both the athlete and monk know their goal. And they know the optimal physical or mental state they need to reach their goals. They know because they’ve been there before. But they’re not always in that state.
The athlete needs to be focused. She knows what it feels like to be focused. She’s been there before. She’s felt it.
The monk needs to be present and one with God. He knows what it’s like to be in that perfect state. He’s been there before. He’s felt it.
But although they know the state they need to be in, getting there isn’t easy. Reaching that state takes practice.
So the athlete practices daily to help herself get closer, more quickly, to that peak physical and mental state. The monk prays constantly to help himself reach that state of consciousness and oneness with God quicker and with more intensity.
Their goal is simple, but it’s not easy.
Unfortunately as humans, we’re not perfect. We can’t just flip on a switch to reach a certain physical, mental, emotional state. But with practice, I think we can get there quicker. The same thing goes with happiness and inner peace. This is where Love Yourself comes into play.
There will always be Ups. There will always be Downs. There are times when we feel aligned with the universe and everything is going great. Then there are times where we feel down and nothing seems to be going our way.
We know the feeling of being on top of the world. But reaching that physical, mental, or emotional state takes work. It takes constant, persistent, dedicated practice.
The key is accepting that both the Ups and Downs will happen. And the challenge is in prolonging the Ups and shortening the Downs. Getting there takes practice.
I’ve had a few friends approach me recently about feeling down or lost. The best I can offer is the main message in this book: Love Yourself. And like anything else worth achieving, quickly getting and staying in that state takes practice.
A couple months ago, when I temporarily got lost [See: How to Get Lost] and forgot why I was traveling, I came to a simple realization: To prevent this from happening again, I must constantly remind myself why I’m here.
From that point on, I decided that every single day, I would reconnect with The Why. Daily. Constantly. Always remember why.
From this realization came another, simpler realization: Anything worth attaining takes practice and work. Including something as simple as reminding myself why I’m traveling.
In this stream of thought, two types of people came to mind: Athletes and Monks. Why does the athlete practice daily? Why does the monk pray all day, every day?
Both the athlete and monk know their goal. And they know the optimal physical or mental state they need to reach their goals. They know because they’ve been there before. But they’re not always in that state.
The athlete needs to be focused. She knows what it feels like to be focused. She’s been there before. She’s felt it.
The monk needs to be present and one with God. He knows what it’s like to be in that perfect state. He’s been there before. He’s felt it.
But although they know the state they need to be in, getting there isn’t easy. Reaching that state takes practice.
So the athlete practices daily to help herself get closer, more quickly, to that peak physical and mental state. The monk prays constantly to help himself reach that state of consciousness and oneness with God quicker and with more intensity.
Their goal is simple, but it’s not easy.
Unfortunately as humans, we’re not perfect. We can’t just flip on a switch to reach a certain physical, mental, emotional state. But with practice, I think we can get there quicker. The same thing goes with happiness and inner peace. This is where Love Yourself comes into play.
There will always be Ups. There will always be Downs. There are times when we feel aligned with the universe and everything is going great. Then there are times where we feel down and nothing seems to be going our way.
We know the feeling of being on top of the world. But reaching that physical, mental, or emotional state takes work. It takes constant, persistent, dedicated practice.
The key is accepting that both the Ups and Downs will happen. And the challenge is in prolonging the Ups and shortening the Downs. Getting there takes practice.
I’ve had a few friends approach me recently about feeling down or lost. The best I can offer is the main message in this book: Love Yourself. And like anything else worth achieving, quickly getting and staying in that state takes practice.
March 7, 2014
Very short, very simple book. The basic idea is that you repeat "I love myself" over and over in your head as a mantra, choosing to repeat that instead of the other junk that usually loops non-stop in there until you wear a new groove with it, deeper and better than the old ones. I probably would have dismissed the idea out of hand, but someone I respect a lot tried it and got results within only a few days. Ok, I'm game. I've been trying for years figure out how to love myself unconditionally. Maybe I was making it too complicated.
The other pieces of the puzzle are a simple meditation, basically breathe in "I love myself" and breathe out whatever comes up, and a question: "If I loved myself truly and deeply, would I let myself experience this?" That question knocks me out. I'm definitely using that!
Notes:
location 427:
"James Altucher, in one of his best blog posts, talks about how he stops negative thoughts in their tracks with a simple mind trick. 'Not useful,' he tells himself. It's a switch, a breaker of sorts…"
This is the book with the story about the doctor curing the schizophrenic who was hallucinating snakes.
The other pieces of the puzzle are a simple meditation, basically breathe in "I love myself" and breathe out whatever comes up, and a question: "If I loved myself truly and deeply, would I let myself experience this?" That question knocks me out. I'm definitely using that!
Notes:
location 427:
"James Altucher, in one of his best blog posts, talks about how he stops negative thoughts in their tracks with a simple mind trick. 'Not useful,' he tells himself. It's a switch, a breaker of sorts…"
This is the book with the story about the doctor curing the schizophrenic who was hallucinating snakes.
October 26, 2017
I received this book recommendation from a friend. She battles depression and said this book helped her cope with some of her negative thoughts.
I knew this was about 68 pages so it wasn’t going to be overwhelming with self-help points.
I liked what the author did with this book. He didn’t dumb it down and he didn’t try to say more then what was needed. If you battle negative thoughts and struggle with mental health issues, this might help you as it helped my friend.
Good advice to change the negative loop in your head to something positive. I think we can all work on this concept in a society that tries to pull you down.
Say this constantly throughout the day or even while having tough times in your life.
"I love myself. I love myself. I love myself."
It’s not as easy as you would think.
I knew this was about 68 pages so it wasn’t going to be overwhelming with self-help points.
I liked what the author did with this book. He didn’t dumb it down and he didn’t try to say more then what was needed. If you battle negative thoughts and struggle with mental health issues, this might help you as it helped my friend.
Good advice to change the negative loop in your head to something positive. I think we can all work on this concept in a society that tries to pull you down.
Say this constantly throughout the day or even while having tough times in your life.
"I love myself. I love myself. I love myself."
It’s not as easy as you would think.
November 8, 2015
I cannot express my disdain for this cover. This is pretty much THE LAST COVER I need clients to see as they battle suicidal thoughts or ideations. And people are right, this is fluff. Even if it wasn't, I still could not use this because THE BOOK HAS A FRIGGIN' SILHOUETTE OF A DUDE WITH A GUN TO HIS HEAD. Cut it out man! Mayhem and foolishness.
July 18, 2020
It's ironic that self-love is a euphemism for masturbation. 'Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It' is one of the most masturbatory books I've ever read and I don't mean that in a good way.
Self-indulgent, self-involved, and selfish. The only impressive thing about it is that they had the chutzpah to call it a book when it's shorter than most blog posts.
Kamal Ravikant's premise is a simple one: repeatedly say to yourself 'I love myself' and your life will be transformed. It worked for them so it will also work for you.
Of course it helps to have the likes of James Altucher and Tim Ferriss to call your friends and promote your book for you.
The book isn't a book, or even a blog post, so much as an exercise in extreme narcissism.
My favourite line because it's also the line that filled me with the most bile:
“I love myself, I love myself, I don’t give a damn about anything else, I love myself.”
Yeah. Good luck with that.
Self-indulgent, self-involved, and selfish. The only impressive thing about it is that they had the chutzpah to call it a book when it's shorter than most blog posts.
Kamal Ravikant's premise is a simple one: repeatedly say to yourself 'I love myself' and your life will be transformed. It worked for them so it will also work for you.
Of course it helps to have the likes of James Altucher and Tim Ferriss to call your friends and promote your book for you.
The book isn't a book, or even a blog post, so much as an exercise in extreme narcissism.
My favourite line because it's also the line that filled me with the most bile:
“I love myself, I love myself, I don’t give a damn about anything else, I love myself.”
Yeah. Good luck with that.
January 13, 2013
The book did two things for me. It made me realize I didn't have to be a perfect person first to love myself, and it made me start loving myself from the first 15 minutes. I didn't think it was possible so early, ... what had I done but read a few chapters, but I had been trying to love myself from the outside in and not the inside out. There is something fundamentally different about his approach which is easy to start, makes actual physical sense, and can change the way you feel and view the world. Read it, and pass it along. This is one book everyone of us knows a friend who could use a quick shot in the arm to put them back on the right life track.
June 20, 2018
My interview with the author, Kamal Ravikant.
Vani via Businessviews.in (Click here to read more: http://businessviews.in/love-thyself-...)
In an interview with author Vani Kaushal, American author Kamal Ravikant who wrote two bestsellers opens up on his craft, philosophy, and outlook on life.
Ravikant is famous as a writer. But in the United States, he is more popular as a Venture Capitalist, motivational speaker and founder of many start-ups in the Silicon Valley.
According to Bloomberg data, Kamal Ravikant heads California-based RevNetics Inc as its founder and CEO.
Ravikant’s first book Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On it has an important message that loving oneself truly and deeply would lead to the complete transformation of that person’s life.
The American writer’s latest book: Rebirth: A Fable of Love, Forgiveness and Following Your Heart has that idea reverberating yet again.
Vani is a well-known author and columnist in India. This former Times of India journalist published her debut novel The Recession Groom in 2015 and received widespread critical acclaim.
Vani contributes regularly to Quint, Scroll, and Huffington Post. More about Vani can be seen on her website www.vaniauthor.com.
EXCERPTS
What is it like to truly and deeply love yourself?
First, it is a practice. Like going to the gym, brushing our teeth. Call it a focused practice. The results are that one is naturally lighter, happier, and life just works better. At its very essence, it is living in the flow and magic of life.
And then again -- a book about loving oneself! -- Do you think a theme like that needed a book?
Yes. I wrote the book I wish someone had given me when I was down. No fluff, only actionable and practical truths.
Don't people already love themselves?
I haven’t met many. If they did, the majority of their personal dramas wouldn’t exist.
With respect to the exercises you share with the readers (looking in the mirror, meditation etc), do you think these techniques really help?
These are what I came up with when I was bottom to literally save myself. They worked for me. I shared them with friends. The exercises worked for them. I shared them in my book. I have thousands of emails from readers sharing how they work for them.
All the exercises are simple. Doesn’t matter how old you are, what your color or religion is. What matters is that you’re human. We all have the same monkey minds. Thus, solutions that work effectively are simple and work for all.
Do you believe that if a person just loves himself, he can turn around the environment that surrounds him? How does it change anything?
How can it not? Try it. You’ll find yourself making better choices in your life easily and naturally; ones that serve you. And as you get better, the world around you gets better. Things just work that way. That’s what I’ve learned.
How many days did it take you to write this book?
It took me over a month to write this book. That was full-time from waking to sleep writing. I cut out 90 percent of what I wrote. I edit with an axe. My goal was to share only the truth that saved me and some thoughts on it; just enough to get the reader to try it. Then, the journey is theirs.
How has the response been?
Life-changing. I get so many emails, tweets, and reviews from readers all over the world. That’s the power of sharing your truth - the ripples have far greater effects than you can imagine. I’m extremely grateful for it all.
Would you not like to write a book for women. They are trained from their childhood to keep their family/husband/father/brother etc first, before themselves. We see it in our homes all the time.
I once watched Maya Angelou, an amazing African American poet, and writer, give a talk. She quoted a Roman poet from centuries ago. She said, “I am a human being, therefore nothing human is foreign to me.”
I wrote a book about fundamental human truths that apply to everyone. Women, men. It doesn’t matter. We all needed to love ourselves truly and deeply.
As a writer, I want to write fundamental human truths that apply to any reader.
Does loving yourself mean lack of fear?
No. You just don’t pay attention to them. Or, sometimes you laugh at them.
Does it mean that one become selfish?
Depends on how you define “selfish.” It does mean that you tolerate less garbage from others. It does mean that you remove what doesn’t serve you in your life. It does mean that you make choices that are for your good. If that’s considered “selfish,” I’m ok with that.
Can it help conquer doubt?
Doubt is just a shade of fear. Let it come. Let it go. The monkey mind plays its games. When you love yourself truly and deeply, these affect you less and less.
Make a person more self-confident?
How can it not? Self-confidence is a belief in oneself in a healthy way. If you loved yourself truly and deeply, you would naturally give yourself that.
Any practices that you could suggest -- aside meditation, of course -- that could help create loving thoughts/feelings about oneself?
Life is simple. It is the mind that makes it complicated. What I’ve learned is that instead of the mind-wrecking havoc, it’s better to focus and use it instead. So any focused attention on what can make you better - gratitude, loving yourself, loving another, etc. - all can be vehicles for helping create loving thoughts and feelings.
Could you tell our readers a bit more about your forthcoming title? Is it available in all formats?
My novel, Rebirth, was published last year. It tells the story of Amit, a 26-year-old Indian American who travels to India with his father’s ashes and then ends up in Spain. There, he walks an 11th Century 550-mile long pilgrimage. Along the way, he meets other pilgrims and they share with him the stories and lessons of their lives.
Ultimately, it is a story about love, forgiveness, and following your heart. It is based on my journey after my father passed away.
I’ve woven many of the lessons I’ve learned in my life so far into the novel. It is available in all formats (hardcover, paperback, electronic). I hope that it serves you well. Thank you for interviewing me.
Vani via Businessviews.in (Click here to read more: http://businessviews.in/love-thyself-...)
In an interview with author Vani Kaushal, American author Kamal Ravikant who wrote two bestsellers opens up on his craft, philosophy, and outlook on life.
Ravikant is famous as a writer. But in the United States, he is more popular as a Venture Capitalist, motivational speaker and founder of many start-ups in the Silicon Valley.
According to Bloomberg data, Kamal Ravikant heads California-based RevNetics Inc as its founder and CEO.
Ravikant’s first book Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On it has an important message that loving oneself truly and deeply would lead to the complete transformation of that person’s life.
The American writer’s latest book: Rebirth: A Fable of Love, Forgiveness and Following Your Heart has that idea reverberating yet again.
Vani is a well-known author and columnist in India. This former Times of India journalist published her debut novel The Recession Groom in 2015 and received widespread critical acclaim.
Vani contributes regularly to Quint, Scroll, and Huffington Post. More about Vani can be seen on her website www.vaniauthor.com.
EXCERPTS
What is it like to truly and deeply love yourself?
First, it is a practice. Like going to the gym, brushing our teeth. Call it a focused practice. The results are that one is naturally lighter, happier, and life just works better. At its very essence, it is living in the flow and magic of life.
And then again -- a book about loving oneself! -- Do you think a theme like that needed a book?
Yes. I wrote the book I wish someone had given me when I was down. No fluff, only actionable and practical truths.
Don't people already love themselves?
I haven’t met many. If they did, the majority of their personal dramas wouldn’t exist.
With respect to the exercises you share with the readers (looking in the mirror, meditation etc), do you think these techniques really help?
These are what I came up with when I was bottom to literally save myself. They worked for me. I shared them with friends. The exercises worked for them. I shared them in my book. I have thousands of emails from readers sharing how they work for them.
All the exercises are simple. Doesn’t matter how old you are, what your color or religion is. What matters is that you’re human. We all have the same monkey minds. Thus, solutions that work effectively are simple and work for all.
Do you believe that if a person just loves himself, he can turn around the environment that surrounds him? How does it change anything?
How can it not? Try it. You’ll find yourself making better choices in your life easily and naturally; ones that serve you. And as you get better, the world around you gets better. Things just work that way. That’s what I’ve learned.
How many days did it take you to write this book?
It took me over a month to write this book. That was full-time from waking to sleep writing. I cut out 90 percent of what I wrote. I edit with an axe. My goal was to share only the truth that saved me and some thoughts on it; just enough to get the reader to try it. Then, the journey is theirs.
How has the response been?
Life-changing. I get so many emails, tweets, and reviews from readers all over the world. That’s the power of sharing your truth - the ripples have far greater effects than you can imagine. I’m extremely grateful for it all.
Would you not like to write a book for women. They are trained from their childhood to keep their family/husband/father/brother etc first, before themselves. We see it in our homes all the time.
I once watched Maya Angelou, an amazing African American poet, and writer, give a talk. She quoted a Roman poet from centuries ago. She said, “I am a human being, therefore nothing human is foreign to me.”
I wrote a book about fundamental human truths that apply to everyone. Women, men. It doesn’t matter. We all needed to love ourselves truly and deeply.
As a writer, I want to write fundamental human truths that apply to any reader.
Does loving yourself mean lack of fear?
No. You just don’t pay attention to them. Or, sometimes you laugh at them.
Does it mean that one become selfish?
Depends on how you define “selfish.” It does mean that you tolerate less garbage from others. It does mean that you remove what doesn’t serve you in your life. It does mean that you make choices that are for your good. If that’s considered “selfish,” I’m ok with that.
Can it help conquer doubt?
Doubt is just a shade of fear. Let it come. Let it go. The monkey mind plays its games. When you love yourself truly and deeply, these affect you less and less.
Make a person more self-confident?
How can it not? Self-confidence is a belief in oneself in a healthy way. If you loved yourself truly and deeply, you would naturally give yourself that.
Any practices that you could suggest -- aside meditation, of course -- that could help create loving thoughts/feelings about oneself?
Life is simple. It is the mind that makes it complicated. What I’ve learned is that instead of the mind-wrecking havoc, it’s better to focus and use it instead. So any focused attention on what can make you better - gratitude, loving yourself, loving another, etc. - all can be vehicles for helping create loving thoughts and feelings.
Could you tell our readers a bit more about your forthcoming title? Is it available in all formats?
My novel, Rebirth, was published last year. It tells the story of Amit, a 26-year-old Indian American who travels to India with his father’s ashes and then ends up in Spain. There, he walks an 11th Century 550-mile long pilgrimage. Along the way, he meets other pilgrims and they share with him the stories and lessons of their lives.
Ultimately, it is a story about love, forgiveness, and following your heart. It is based on my journey after my father passed away.
I’ve woven many of the lessons I’ve learned in my life so far into the novel. It is available in all formats (hardcover, paperback, electronic). I hope that it serves you well. Thank you for interviewing me.
January 31, 2020
Audiobook via BookBeat UK!
I've listened to lots of self-help books in my time but I struggled to find one that was simple yet still got the message across. Love Yourself is an inspiring listen taking into account real-life events that Kamal has been through in his life so far, with also the steps he took to gain a healthier and positive mindset. Good listen!
I've listened to lots of self-help books in my time but I struggled to find one that was simple yet still got the message across. Love Yourself is an inspiring listen taking into account real-life events that Kamal has been through in his life so far, with also the steps he took to gain a healthier and positive mindset. Good listen!
June 29, 2012
If you are in a funk I highly suggest you read this short but very magical book.
July 13, 2012
If you are literate, you should read this book.
August 19, 2016
Yeah.. I didn't like this book at all. It's supposedly on some "Top Books To Read Before You're 25" list, but I found it superficial, lacking in substance and I thought it has the potential to cause a lot of people harm.
All through reading the book I kept on thinking what if Raskalnikov from Crime and Punishment was reading this? Or Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights? Or Jane Eyre?
It seems ridiculous to think of these brilliant characters, these extraordinary people overcoming the trials they faced by repeating to themselves "I love myself". It's absurd.
This whole book seems like recycled pseudoscience, with borrowed ideology from many traditions and areas, that has been washed down and diluted to the point where it has little meaning.
However, having said that, I believe there is some truth. I do believe that people are in control of their thoughts and the thoughts that recur the most are who that person is. This book confirmed that for me.
All through reading the book I kept on thinking what if Raskalnikov from Crime and Punishment was reading this? Or Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights? Or Jane Eyre?
It seems ridiculous to think of these brilliant characters, these extraordinary people overcoming the trials they faced by repeating to themselves "I love myself". It's absurd.
This whole book seems like recycled pseudoscience, with borrowed ideology from many traditions and areas, that has been washed down and diluted to the point where it has little meaning.
However, having said that, I believe there is some truth. I do believe that people are in control of their thoughts and the thoughts that recur the most are who that person is. This book confirmed that for me.
June 22, 2012
Was reminded of the quote "I share therefore I am" - Included the quotes I loved below,
“Besides, being a tourist in a crowded city is a guaranteed way to feel lonely. At least when you walk in nature, you are supposed to be alone.”
“This helps me feel a little better. I may not know the details of the pilgrimage, but I know how to walk.”
“Then, like the nuns from my one year at Catholic school, she firmly lists the rules.”
“I get the sense that I’m part of something bigger than myself. It’s a strange feeling, but one I like. I don’t feel so alone.”
“don’t get lost.”
“Escuche,” he says. Mouth to my ear, his breath smelling like old coffee, he whispers: “It means ‘listen’…you could be putting off things forever.”
“when will I draw the line and commit to a career?”
“Besides, being a tourist in a crowded city is a guaranteed way to feel lonely. At least when you walk in nature, you are supposed to be alone.”
“This helps me feel a little better. I may not know the details of the pilgrimage, but I know how to walk.”
“Then, like the nuns from my one year at Catholic school, she firmly lists the rules.”
“I get the sense that I’m part of something bigger than myself. It’s a strange feeling, but one I like. I don’t feel so alone.”
“don’t get lost.”
“Escuche,” he says. Mouth to my ear, his breath smelling like old coffee, he whispers: “It means ‘listen’…you could be putting off things forever.”
“when will I draw the line and commit to a career?”
February 9, 2014
This is the shortest book I've ever read. In approximately 50 pages Kamal Ravikant vulnerably shares the story of his rise to early success that was quickly followed by his plummet to painful failure, severe depression, and chronic illness. This book chronicles the simple steps Kamal took to pick himself up, dust off, and rise again to an entirely new level of abundant living far greater than financial success. Every day we hear and celebrate the success of others. We rarely hear of the challenges, failures, and growing pains along the way to that success and that is what made this book interesting and inspiring to me.
July 17, 2017
Colossally unhelpful. Reads like an unedited journal entry. No idea how this became a book.
May 19, 2015
I hate this book. It disgusts me. Every word of it feels like a lie.
But here’s the problem: i know why it made me sick; i know why reading (listening to) it felt like being constantly punched in the gut. I had to stop every five minutes to literally keep myself from throwing up. It made me angry.
But i kept going back. Every time, when the nausea passed, i picked up where i’d left off. I took it like the awful, revolting medicine i wanted it to be; i took it in, hoping that somehow it might actually work. I wanted to believe in it; but i did not; i did not believe in any of it at all.
I have harmed myself in the past. Walking into the emergency room and saying these words was the hardest thing i’d ever done in my life up to that point:
I’m scared. I don’t want to hurt myself again.
And… there was no magic. Not exactly. But when i was helped into a chair and given a glass of water; as i sat there watching the people around me: paramedics, parents, friends, lovers, strangers, helping one another; i had a thought, and i wrote it down on the inside of a cardboard chocolate bar package: “Humanity is filled with love.”
I’d forgotten about that moment, until i read this book; i don’t mean i actually couldn’t remember it until the book (“magically”) reminded me. I mean i had let that moment get buried under all kinds of other garbage. It’s not fun to remember being in the hospital; it was a very scary, dark, unhappy time for me. But it was also something else. I was witnessing something that moved me; i was seeing something mundane in an extraordinary way. These people helping one another, without fanfare or even commentary; these acts of kindness, gentleness, even when performed with a cool professionalism; these facts; they coalesced in front of me, and i felt something… I felt love.
It is easy to dismiss this; i was “crazy”, wasn’t i? Yes and no. I was in a very vulnerable and volatile state of mind. But i was also, by the same token, open to thoughts that were new. This was a new sort of idea; the poor word love, so routinely abused, so trivialized by overuse; the idea of love as an actual force, as a presence permeating our species — unevenly, inconsistently, and “weakly” (in the sense of John Caputo’s weak theology) — was new to me.
And i promptly forgot about it. I had work to do; i have two kids (only one at the time); i was in graduate school; i was in the midst of a broken relationship — my partner and i were in counseling, and she was working hard with me to keep fear and guilt from interrupting our communication. I kept that chocolate bar package, i think; it’s somewhere in my unfortunate hoard of stuff. But i very rarely thought of it. Until i was reading (listening to) this book.
I still hate this book. But i’m going to keep reading it. And i may never like (or love) it… but i intend to learn from it. I recognize i need it. My life really does depend on it.
May 13, 2015
This book ends with the following line :
"This book could have been a cover, plus one almost blank page with two words in the middle: Love yourself."
I find myself wishing that it was.
It's a short little book that's ironically still a little too long. It probably should have been a long blog post (at least for me, others love it).
It went from 4* to 3* to the final 2. That's pretty sad.
"This book could have been a cover, plus one almost blank page with two words in the middle: Love yourself."
I find myself wishing that it was.
It's a short little book that's ironically still a little too long. It probably should have been a long blog post (at least for me, others love it).
It went from 4* to 3* to the final 2. That's pretty sad.
January 9, 2021
At least it was short.
March 4, 2014
A 68 paged book about loving oneself. On an honest note I did not think my interest or patients was going to last but strangely enough I enjoyed every word of it. This book starts off with the author rather than talking greatly of himself and how many books he has sold like other writers would do, he writes of himself in a lower status of emotional confidence which I found extremely ironic considering the title of the book. As I continued on to read it started to feel like a speech, but not a bad one. More like an awesome TED Talk that I wouldn't forget. He talks about the process of getting a person to love oneself and the how to over come all the issues that might arise leaving his plan flawless.
It was written in such a way that he was able to talk about his experiences and directly to the reader on how to go through the right proceeders so smoothly that it is literally almost unnoticeable. Each chapter named after each step in the process of "loving Yourself" and the books small size made it pass so fast that when your done reading I feel like I want to do all that was explained.
I have got to give the author all the credits cause I personally put myself down a lot and now after this book I have to say I am getting a little cocky :p I would love to recommend this book to as much people as possible and to anyone. I think guys and girls of any age, adult or child, should read it cause it is never wrong to love yourself. The more readers the happier people are, then the more social this population will become.
It was written in such a way that he was able to talk about his experiences and directly to the reader on how to go through the right proceeders so smoothly that it is literally almost unnoticeable. Each chapter named after each step in the process of "loving Yourself" and the books small size made it pass so fast that when your done reading I feel like I want to do all that was explained.
I have got to give the author all the credits cause I personally put myself down a lot and now after this book I have to say I am getting a little cocky :p I would love to recommend this book to as much people as possible and to anyone. I think guys and girls of any age, adult or child, should read it cause it is never wrong to love yourself. The more readers the happier people are, then the more social this population will become.
July 18, 2021
Brutally boring. Intermittently irritating. Half helpful.
Discovered him as a guest on the Rich Roll podcast, where he talked about loving yourself. Kamal is the brother of Naval, a very famous Silicon Valley VC guy (I like how both their names rhyme).
Kamal's book is the result of him failing and trying to construct his life again. His solution centers around loving yourself - repeating that mantra while meditating, saying it out loud in front of a mirror, and just randomly throughout the day. He encourages readers to follow that approach.
And that's literally all that is said in the book, again and again..aaaaand again.
I think of myself as an open minded person, so I figured I should drop my judgement and try this out. However, the more he said the same thing, the more I realized this shit isn't for me. He had to come up with that for his own extreme scenario of failing to become a doctor or VC guy.
The entire self-care thing reminds me of this hilarious rant. So it was hard to take the message as seriously as it was meant to be.
Also, both in the podcast and this book, Kamal kind of came off as a somewhat know-it-all, philosophical, artsy type of guy. Speaking of came, he mentions this time his soon-to-be ex girlfriend didn't allow him to 😳😳😳😳 --- and yeah, all that imagery made me fully tap out. As I closed the book, my reaction was to say out loud, "EW", followed by "Ahhh..fuck..god...the fuck man fuck that was rough." I had to walk around for a couple of minutes to get un-creeped out by that scene 😂 .
So I really was serious about the brutal part at the beginning of this review. Boring is the main descriptor for sure though. I guess cheers to the people who benefitted from this.
Discovered him as a guest on the Rich Roll podcast, where he talked about loving yourself. Kamal is the brother of Naval, a very famous Silicon Valley VC guy (I like how both their names rhyme).
Kamal's book is the result of him failing and trying to construct his life again. His solution centers around loving yourself - repeating that mantra while meditating, saying it out loud in front of a mirror, and just randomly throughout the day. He encourages readers to follow that approach.
And that's literally all that is said in the book, again and again..aaaaand again.
I think of myself as an open minded person, so I figured I should drop my judgement and try this out. However, the more he said the same thing, the more I realized this shit isn't for me. He had to come up with that for his own extreme scenario of failing to become a doctor or VC guy.
The entire self-care thing reminds me of this hilarious rant. So it was hard to take the message as seriously as it was meant to be.
Also, both in the podcast and this book, Kamal kind of came off as a somewhat know-it-all, philosophical, artsy type of guy. Speaking of came, he mentions this time his soon-to-be ex girlfriend didn't allow him to 😳😳😳😳 --- and yeah, all that imagery made me fully tap out. As I closed the book, my reaction was to say out loud, "EW", followed by "Ahhh..fuck..god...the fuck man fuck that was rough." I had to walk around for a couple of minutes to get un-creeped out by that scene 😂 .
So I really was serious about the brutal part at the beginning of this review. Boring is the main descriptor for sure though. I guess cheers to the people who benefitted from this.
April 20, 2017
At the most this was a half hour read. It right from the heart though. A personal journey of thriving despite detrimental failures and overcoming hopelessness despite loss. It has a very simple yet powerful message. Read it.
March 31, 2021
I honestly cannot express my detestation for this book. In fact, I created an account solely to write a review for this book. The title pretty much sums up the entirety of the advice in this self help book. It's main point is to repeatedly say "I love myself" and eventually it will become true. While I have no doubt that this might help someone who hasn't had a history of mental health issues, it doesn't need an entire book.
As a person who has struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts at a young age, this book is not only laughable in terms of providing advice, but can be dangerous to someone who really needs help. The author mentions some of his own struggles and trauma that he has mentioned in his book. However, in comparison to personal experiences and events that have occurred to those around me, it seems superficial. That's not to discredit his own experiences, but they're not ones that I can personally relate to.
Aside from the author's experiences, he also does not seem to be an expert on how mental health works on a professional level. Nevertheless, he gives advice as if he's studies it for years. In addition, he goes back and forth between giving advice and writing a narrative. His narratives come off as underdeveloped and the author doesn't give enough background about his experiences, only how his method seemed to pull him out of his mood.
There is one paragraph that sticks out to me because it seems like the author is trying to form a connection with the reader but instead comes off as awkward and left me feeling VERY uncomfortable. In it he describes his experience after being broken up with his girlfriend.
"A few days later, we make love. It is the most awkward of dances, knowing that the music's stopped. When I'm close, she asks me not to come inside of her. It's the first time she's ever done that."
After reading that I physically could not bring myself to finish the rest of the book. If you're looking for a genuine self-help book I would suggest you skip this one.
As a person who has struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts at a young age, this book is not only laughable in terms of providing advice, but can be dangerous to someone who really needs help. The author mentions some of his own struggles and trauma that he has mentioned in his book. However, in comparison to personal experiences and events that have occurred to those around me, it seems superficial. That's not to discredit his own experiences, but they're not ones that I can personally relate to.
Aside from the author's experiences, he also does not seem to be an expert on how mental health works on a professional level. Nevertheless, he gives advice as if he's studies it for years. In addition, he goes back and forth between giving advice and writing a narrative. His narratives come off as underdeveloped and the author doesn't give enough background about his experiences, only how his method seemed to pull him out of his mood.
There is one paragraph that sticks out to me because it seems like the author is trying to form a connection with the reader but instead comes off as awkward and left me feeling VERY uncomfortable. In it he describes his experience after being broken up with his girlfriend.
"A few days later, we make love. It is the most awkward of dances, knowing that the music's stopped. When I'm close, she asks me not to come inside of her. It's the first time she's ever done that."
After reading that I physically could not bring myself to finish the rest of the book. If you're looking for a genuine self-help book I would suggest you skip this one.
April 3, 2017
I am not the one to write reviews, but this book makes me want to. So here I go.
Basically the whole book is summarized in the title. How to do that? Three tricks. And then... your life will be transformed. Everything will magically change. (His words, not mine.) And if it doesn't you are probably not working hard enough.
I read selp-help books on a regular basis, so I am not against the genre, but this is just a very bad one. I have never encountered a book that promised so much with so little work.
Are you unhappy, depressed or anxious? I would suggest reading a book about mindfulness. It will probably give you the same result, but with more realistic promises.
Two stars, because of the few sentences that were actually nice sparks of wisdom.
Basically the whole book is summarized in the title. How to do that? Three tricks. And then... your life will be transformed. Everything will magically change. (His words, not mine.) And if it doesn't you are probably not working hard enough.
I read selp-help books on a regular basis, so I am not against the genre, but this is just a very bad one. I have never encountered a book that promised so much with so little work.
Are you unhappy, depressed or anxious? I would suggest reading a book about mindfulness. It will probably give you the same result, but with more realistic promises.
Two stars, because of the few sentences that were actually nice sparks of wisdom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2016
This was a waste of time. Fortunately not too much time. It is suited for people who are desperate for help, like some drug addicts or broken hearted low confidence folks, but who with the common sense could comit to the effort of repeating I love myself all the time? I am not convinced and to make it work, you have to be convinced without a doubt.
August 21, 2021
“This day, I vow to myself to love myself, to treat myself as someone I love truly and deeply - in my thoughts, my actions, the choices I make, the experiences I have, each moment I am conscious, I make the decision I LOVE MYSELF.”
Everything I write down here is less of a review but more of an appreciation of the author.
Where do I even start about how beautiful and worthwhile I found this book. To mirror my stance, I would like to use one of Ravikant’s statements from the book.
“In simplicity lies truth. In simplicity lies power.”
The writer is found sharing his journey towards self-love in the most candid yet persuasive manner. Everything that has been penned down feels uncluttered, from his ideas to advice.
This book deserves all the love, hype, and most of all some time from your today.
Just read it !!!
Everything I write down here is less of a review but more of an appreciation of the author.
Where do I even start about how beautiful and worthwhile I found this book. To mirror my stance, I would like to use one of Ravikant’s statements from the book.
“In simplicity lies truth. In simplicity lies power.”
The writer is found sharing his journey towards self-love in the most candid yet persuasive manner. Everything that has been penned down feels uncluttered, from his ideas to advice.
This book deserves all the love, hype, and most of all some time from your today.
Just read it !!!
May 24, 2020
Very succinct. Cut straight to the point without meandering. The words are soaked in genuine feeling,which one can sense as he/she travels through them.
January 14, 2022
This book is the author's deeply personal account of how he pulled himself out of a dark place in his life after an emotional breakup. There are a lot of really powerful nuggets of wisdom in this book and it will certainly help a lot of people. The people that will benefit most from this book are those have found themselves at rock bottom emotionally and reaching out for a lifeline in the form of comforting words and practical strategies. It is mostly made up of strategies that we have all heard of before but when put together in a really dedicated and focused way have the power to really shift the mindset.
The biggest takeaways for me....
Make a practice of continuously asking yourself "If I loved myself what would I do"? I think this can be really effective when trying to make decisions about self-care, personal boundaries, and motivating yourself to tend to your health and wellbeing...
Make a vow to love yourself. Your vow will be your declaration of to yourself of what you want your life to be. Literally write down that vow and put it somewhere prominent that you review everyday.
Repeat "I love myself" over and over every chance you get with conviction until it is no longer just words but your mind starts to believe and it becomes embedded in your consciousness.
For some people the approaches may seem basic or rudimentary but again, I am certain it will help a lot of people and possibly save lives :-).
The biggest takeaways for me....
Make a practice of continuously asking yourself "If I loved myself what would I do"? I think this can be really effective when trying to make decisions about self-care, personal boundaries, and motivating yourself to tend to your health and wellbeing...
Make a vow to love yourself. Your vow will be your declaration of to yourself of what you want your life to be. Literally write down that vow and put it somewhere prominent that you review everyday.
Repeat "I love myself" over and over every chance you get with conviction until it is no longer just words but your mind starts to believe and it becomes embedded in your consciousness.
For some people the approaches may seem basic or rudimentary but again, I am certain it will help a lot of people and possibly save lives :-).
October 10, 2017
Book 49 is Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It by Kamal Ravikant.
I wanted to love his book like I love myself but it felt like a sales pitch.
Kamal did sound sincere and vulnerable but he also sounded like he was selling an inflatable version of self confidence. Not the fake self confidence but truly believing in yourself.
As a disciple of cognitive behavioural therapy, I know you can reset your pathways and think differently. He didn't even touch the science around that. It was more of a "I got dumped and now someone loves me" chant. I wanted to hear that he was OK alone, not that he was OK in a relationship.
Disappointed at every turn, all I can agree with is something I've always told people myself: Give yourself oxygen before you help others.
There are many better books on this subject. Don't waste a couple of hours on this.
2 sales pitches of 5.
Should I read this? Sadly, no. Grab Brene Brown or Trevor Noah. There are many better ways to the same destination.
What did I learn? No one else can complete you. Being able to fall in love and be loved back does not define you. Standing alone is done alone and then others may join. He failed to express this.
I wanted to love his book like I love myself but it felt like a sales pitch.
Kamal did sound sincere and vulnerable but he also sounded like he was selling an inflatable version of self confidence. Not the fake self confidence but truly believing in yourself.
As a disciple of cognitive behavioural therapy, I know you can reset your pathways and think differently. He didn't even touch the science around that. It was more of a "I got dumped and now someone loves me" chant. I wanted to hear that he was OK alone, not that he was OK in a relationship.
Disappointed at every turn, all I can agree with is something I've always told people myself: Give yourself oxygen before you help others.
There are many better books on this subject. Don't waste a couple of hours on this.
2 sales pitches of 5.
Should I read this? Sadly, no. Grab Brene Brown or Trevor Noah. There are many better ways to the same destination.
What did I learn? No one else can complete you. Being able to fall in love and be loved back does not define you. Standing alone is done alone and then others may join. He failed to express this.
May 6, 2019
For its cost, this very easy and quick to read book gives us a small reminder shot on self-affirmation and its probable effects on the unconscious. Moreover, what I personally appreciated was his simplistic vision (in the non-pejorative sense of the term) of life through meditative practice, of the present moment because it is true that a practice of several years is helpful, gives another perspective of things and a certain detachment and analysis of our emotions (in terms of managing emotions). Simple, fast and positive without writing 300 pages or more like many other books.
December 28, 2015
Author Kamal Ravikant offers these easy steps to ease readers into a more positive attitude. 1. Mental loop 2. A meditation 3. One question. The steps are easy and he offers good advice on why they work and how to approach them. This 68 page book is a quick feel good read that is well worthwhile to people looking for a positive approach to life. For me, it will probably be a book that I will reread again and again.
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