Practical Optimism

January 8, 2024
Readers don’t have to bury their heads in the sand to live “fully and joyfully” in an imperfect world, promises psychiatrist Varma in her buoyant debut. As a trainee psychiatrist in New York City post-9/11 who treated civilian survivors and first responders, Varma wondered why some people thrive in the face of challenges that stymie others. She sought answers in trauma therapy research and in the stories of her hardworking immigrant parents, who used a mix of “positivity and pragmatism” to surmount challenges and pursue their ambitions (her father was one of the first trained child psychiatrists in northern India and a children’s rights advocate). Explaining that practical optimism combines a “belief in the boundless positive potential in yourself and others” and brass-tacks “behavioral skills that will give you access to the most... rational course of action,” Varma offers guidance on effectively processing emotions and finding one’s purpose. Elsewhere, she posits that a healthy sense of personal pride “helps us act in the face of uncertainty.” Despite a few off-kilter moments in which Varma seems to tie self-worth to others’ perceptions and physical appearance (for example, she encourages readers to “dress sharp” if they’re likely to encounter an ex, and extols exercise as a way to “look stellar”), her passion for helping people live well shines through. Studded with catchy pearls of wisdom (“Our self-worth exists simply because we do”), this can-do guide uplifts. Agent: David Labrell, CAA.

June 10, 2024

Psychiatrist Varma aims to achieve more than simple stress reduction for readers: she wants them to find the resiliency they need to reconnect to their self-worth by unleashing their "natural strengths." She discusses her own experiences with techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy and lays out foundational pillars that will engender a sense of practical optimism. These pillars are presented in an order that progressively addresses components of optimism, from setting an initial goal or vision to incorporating the principles into healthy habits. Using clients' stories, Varma shows readers that most people haven't figured out life, and she examines ways in which superficial accomplishments fail to bring happiness if they're not part of a larger sense of values. Some acronyms and phrases seem a little too cute, but this may be a consequence of an author with a high level of clinical training writing for a more lay audience. VERDICT As with any book that promises tools for finding purpose and meaning, this requires deep work, which sometimes feels like it was glossed over; still, the principles are sound and thought-provoking. For fans of authors like Martha Beck who are looking for additional clinically sound practices to explore.--Emily Bowles

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