The Butterfly Garden

Have you ever wondered why life feels so stressful and exhausting? This books explains why.

This is a life philosophy for everyone - a self-help book to help you find yourself again amidst the dizzying lights of deeply overwhelming social integration.

In every walk of life, you are governed by the judgements of others. You spend all your time and energy sweating, scurrying, agonising over winning the approval of someone else. Whether trying to impress a friend, a romantic interest, or a potential employer, the desire to be loved has never been greater. And it is so tiresome and damaging.

From the moment we started a society together, we began comparing ourselves. Who was the strongest, the loudest, the tallest, the wisest, the fastest, the most beautiful? A cut-throat competition to the top commenced. In every group, we want to be liked and admired - we don't want to embarrass ourselves in public or say something stupid. This is a miserable existence of people pleasing.

This book traverses a timeline of society - because life never used to be this way. We began by wandering the woods alone, with only one goal: to survive. But this peaceful life at one with nature faded away as we gradually recessed deeper into society: families, friends, lovers, workplaces, and now social media - the pinnacle of this self-destructive hamster wheel, where a global, 24/7 audience is waiting to 'like' your photos, 'follow' your feed, and 'celebrate' your achievements.

In constantly living in the judgement of others, life has become about faking it until you make it. We walk around behind social masks to cover our insecurities, wearing socially-approved clothes, thinking socially-acceptable thoughts.

Whatever happened to being comfortable in your own skin? Whatever happened to having your own ideas, beliefs, and opinions?

Daniel Sillett is a political writer and commentator. This is his first book. For the good of the world, hopefully it is not his last.