Here's why you need to read "How to be Alone," if you haven't already

How to be Alone by Lane Moore is exactly the kind of book that I usually buy. A woman writer? Check. Self-help? Check. Making light out of hardship? Check.

How to be Alone really became a book that changed my feelings on aloneness, being single, and cutting out toxic family. Sometimes, being alone is the best thing - and learning how to be alone can benefit you in multiple ways.

Now, I'm definitely not the kind of person to glorify pain. Like, "you have to see pain to feel happiness" kind of mindset. I certainly don't support feel-good stories about people going from rags to riches. However, Moore takes us on a journey with How to be Alone - it feels like we discover how to be alone, without going through the same troubles that she went through (hopefully).

The book is incredibly honest, to a point where it kind of feels like we're reading her teenage diary. She talks about her family problems, being homeless, and relationships. Moore, unlike the majority of my favourite journalists around, comes from nothing. She worked her way up through hard work, perseverance, and an evident good skill. Her writing is impeccable and captivating.

Obviously, judging from the title, the book revolves around the theme of aloneness. It's different. Most of the time we hear about the importance of friendships, family, and connections in life. It's so unique to see somebody talking about being alone and how to cope with that. It doesn't come across in an individualist type of way, either. Rather, it comes through in a "sometimes you're alone in this earth, and here's how to deal with it".

As a book of essays, this book will likely include a paragraph which you can relate to in some way or another. Whether it's regarding your childhood, your career struggles, or your relationships. Importantly, Moore doesn't try to make you feel sorry for herself either. Her sense of humour obviously shines through in this book. It's like telling you "you may be alone, but that doesn't make it sad". It's enlightening and empowering, especially in a world which tells women that they always need somebody.

There's almost an air od sisterly advice when reading this book. Like, don't do what I did - learn from my mistakes. And also, look at what I did against all odds, you can too! Everything all about it is amazing.

Moore was the former sex and relationships editor at Cosmopolitan, and this really does shine through. She's been through it, and she's willing to tell you all about.

Now, when I first saw the title, I thought it may be one of those self-help books which don't really help. You know the kind. It's filled with statistics and clinical evidence and is likely written by somebody who has never dealt with anything in their life.

Moore offers a candid introspect into her life. It's a journey which you need to take. One that she invites you, without patronising opinions.

One of my favourite lines was "why did we stop wanting dinner and a movie and maybe flowers?....When did we start thinking that courtship was too time-consuming and everything romantic comedies waxed on about was just a dumb fairy-tale concept, instead of our expectations for romantic love? I’m tired of pretending I’m cool with whatevs. I’m tired of pretending that laziness can replace thoughtfulness and still be acceptable to me.”

This really hit me. We've become conditioned to accepting not that much, and why? Because of a capitalistic view that we should be alone? Because of a patriarchal view of what feminism should look like? If there's one thing you should learn from this book - your love and efforts deserve to be reciprocated.

It's really a genius way of thinking. That through these essays, she manages to make you feel less alone - all by talking about loneliness. So, thank you Lane Moore - for sharing your stories, that I'm sure so many people can relate to.

I couldn't recommend this book enough, give it a read!