WHY SELF-HELP BOOKS HAVE BECOME SO POPULAR?
Everyone wants to be a mature and intellectual person, especially teenagers. In today’s society, reading self-help books is promoted to all generations and ages. Teens who read self-help books consider themselves emotionally mature, and people who read other genres of fiction as immature. Why are many people so ashamed of simply reading a genre that doesn’t seem to benefit one’s life? Has reading always been about self-improvement? Why can’t one read for the fun, thrill, adrenaline rush, and all the other magical feelings, we get that one usually doesn’t experience in their daily life?
Self-help today
The term self-help could be a bit vague. But it is the best way to term the genre of books that deals with personal improvement. Today, this genre of books has turned into a booming industry of its own. Reports say that this industry is worth around $13 billion dollars. Not only books but there are lots of blogs, shows, podcasts, workshops, etc related to self-help and people are ready to spend more on gurus, life coaches, and productivity apps than spend some quality time with their loved ones. This has gone to a point where self-help has become a product of its own.
But have you ever wondered, if self-help books always have a solution, then why is it that everyone who reads them has not yet become superhuman or enlightened like Buddha? Maybe there is still hope…
When did this shift take place? Have we always been this obsessed with self-improvement? Could it possibly be because of the internet?
Millennials and their obsession with self-improvement
Self-improvement is not wrong. Whereas, the fact that it gives us less and less time to spend with our loved ones and make healthy relationships, might not be good. People are being so calculative than ever. Why is there a constant need to compete with our peers all the time? There is no organic relationship without competition. Somewhere, there always seems to be a need to be the best among all.
Yes, eventually all our hard work does pay off. But what about social life? When is the last time some of us had a good chat with our friends, face to face? Isn’t it as important as self-care? Maybe it’s time for us to work on self-acceptance than on personal development.
Are young adults lonelier than ever?
Internet friends are normalized by Gen Z. Millennials were ever so skeptical to make new friends online. The idea of even talking to a stranger on the internet was considered as dangerous as the men in those creepy omni vans. But for Gen Z, being born in the world of the internet, what safer place to make and hang out than the internet itself? Recent surveys show that 22% of the teens have ‘zero friends’ not to mention close friends / best friends. Thus, many people feel lonely and miss having companionship.
In order to overcome this loneliness, they turn to social media and mobile phones. But how long will it last? There is clearly something about being able to meet face-to-face, laugh together, being able to touch, and have eye contact, that can never be replaced by digital communication.
And social media can never match up to it. All that we consume around social media is about self-improvement, success stories, and self-care. This creates peer pressure for everyone to do their best constantly and become a better person each day. Because of this, we become self-critical, wanting to meet everyone’s expectations, and measure up to the best out there. Eventually, we being us, end up picking up the best self-help books on the market and work ourselves tirelessly, until we burn out.
Books over friendship!
Most people have little to no friends, which includes the millennials and Gen Z. We are more hesitant than ever to ask for help from others. Instead, we turn to self-help books. Okay, let’s accept the fact that they give hope and life lessons for free, in between their pages. But is that all there is to life? Just some anecdotal lessons, healthy habits, and other motivational stuff that clearly convince us that they will work. (If it doesn’t, then surely it is our fault.)
Self-help books are not harmful but they only offer a quick fix. In the longer run, it is crucial to have faith in ourselves and the people around us.
Perhaps, in between all of this, there is a void or loneliness that we feel as a result of not being able to interact with others.
A middle ground
Yes, it is always good to focus on self-improvement. Even though reading self-help books can help people change their outlook on life at an early age. It could never be compared to real-life experiences. Reading can only help us to some extent, rest is up to us. Whenever we feel low, there is nothing a deep conversation with our friends can’t solve. It will really help us lift our mood and clear our heads.
“One good book can replace thousands of friends and one good friend can replace thousands of books. Choose them wisely.”
Venkatesh R
So, try to find the right balance between books and friends. Because even though books help us in many ways, it will always be a one-way conversation. At the end of the day, books can never be a replacement for humans. Rather a supplement? Definitely.
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