Matt Haig on finally returning to Ibiza, hope and new perspectives
Jul 22, 2024
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Bestselling author Matt Haig shares his journey from breakdown to success in Ibiza. He talks about new book, hope, sobriety, and social media impact on mental health. Reflects on early writing, ADHD diagnosis, and children's relationship with social media.
Returning to Ibiza helped Matt Haig gain a new perspective on life and embrace optimism.
Matt Haig emphasizes the importance of embracing change to overcome challenges and find hope.
Deep dives
Matt Haig's Journey to Writing and Publishing Success
Matt Haig, a bestselling author known for his book 'Reasons to Stay Alive,' has sold over nine million copies of his books worldwide. His latest novel, 'The Life Impossible,' set in Ibiza, reflects his personal journey from a breakdown in his 20s to finding hope and optimism. Haig's writing style focuses on themes of change, recovery, and finding light in darkness.
The Impact of Change on Matt Haig's Writing Process
Change plays a pivotal role in Matt Haig's writing process, reflecting his belief that stories must incorporate change to be compelling. Haig, who struggled with mental health issues, uses his novels to convey themes of hope, recovery, and transformation. He emphasizes the importance of embracing change to overcome challenges and find a renewed perspective on life.
Matt Haig's Reflections on Personal Growth and Acceptance
Matt Haig's personal growth journey includes overcoming panic disorder, depression, and addiction. With a diagnosis of ADHD and autism in adulthood, Haig gained insight into his past behaviors and choices. He acknowledges the impact of social media and addictive tendencies on his life, highlighting the need for self-compassion and understanding.
Prioritizing Work-Life Balance and Peace of Mind
Looking ahead, Matt Haig aims to prioritize work-life balance and reduce unnecessary stress in his life. He reflects on the importance of appreciating the present moment, gaining perspective as he navigates personal growth. Haig seeks to find peace of mind by focusing on what truly matters and letting go of unnecessary worries, striving for a more balanced and harmonious lifestyle.
Aged 24 in Ibiza, Matt Haig’s life changed forever when he had a breakdown. Now 49 he has returned to the island, facing his past head on, returning with a whole new perspective, more optimism, and now, a new book called ‘The Life Impossible’.
Matt has sold over 9 million copies of his books worldwide, and they have been translated into 58 languages. His bestselling book ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’ has touched millions of lives and was game changing for many people with depression and anxiety. Since then, his novel The Midnight Library has become a global phenomenon and spent over 50 weeks on the Sunday Times bestseller charts and over 100 weeks on the New York Times bestseller charts.
In this episode, as well as talking about the new book, Matt discusses returning to Ibiza, hope and sobriety. He also talks about surprising early forays in writing, how an adult diagnosis of ADHD helped him look at his younger self differently and how his experience of social media and mental health has impacted his children's relationship with it too. It feels like a whole new chapter in Matt’s life and we’re delighted to have him on to talk about it.
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