The Fix Yourself Handbook

What is the Process Way of Life? Professional Pennsylvania-based therapist Faust Ruggiero describes it as 'a journey that begins as you decide that your life is not as happy and productive as you would like it to be.'

FYHB Publishing sent me an advance copy of Mr Ruggiero's new book, The Fix Yourself Handbook. Using The Process Way of Life, his clinical concept, he guides us through life's main psychological challenges: routines, honesty, the conflict over intellect and emotion, fear and self-trust, among many other personal quandaries that I have no doubt we've all faced from time to time. The Process Way of Life aims to give the reader internal balance through the development of four attributes: physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual. (Mr. Ruggiero gracefully separates faith from religion, making his teachings accessible for atheists and agnostics alike.)

The book describes the difference between 'journey living' and 'destination living,' two different mentalities that are particularly poignant now that we're living in lockdown. Let's take our current situation. If we're looking forward to being let back out, we're using 'destination living,' meaning we're perceiving happiness only to attainable 'once this is over.' 'Journey living' would have us say, okay, what's the benefit here? I'm saving loads of money not going out, I'm still healthy, touch wood, I'm still in work on the same wage, and I've got loads to do at home. I'll go back to seeing my mates when it's safe to do so.

It's full of positive revelations and guidance. There are a couple of suggestions I'd make, though. Mr Ruggiero's formal qualifications aren't listed until the end of the book. This info earlier might have set the scene a little more. A glossary of terms might also have been handy.

There is a comparison in the book that describes emotions as 'to your brain what a virus is to a computer.' I get that emotions can stop you from doing things- they unfortunately stop me- but aren't emotions a natural part of your Endocrine system, as opposed to something that has infected us? Isn't it when we lack control over them that the problems arise?

Despite this, The Fix Yourself Handbook is a solid, reassuring book full of positivity. I'm looking forward to putting the teachings into practice, particularly after lockdown.