Issue 63 - The Self

Welcome to Issue 63 of Deep Life Reflections, where I share five things I’ve been enjoying and thinking about over the past week.

In this week’s issue, we examine the psychology of the self. We begin with Dr. Richard Carlson’s highly acclaimed self-help book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, which emphasises the pursuit of internal contentment. Next, we turn to the fascinating work of documentary filmmaker Adam Curtis and his exploration of manipulative psychoanalysis in The Century of the Self. Together, these works prompt us to contemplate the role of consumerism versus contentment in living a meaningful life.

Join me as we explore this week’s Friday Five.

1. What I’m Reading

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. By Richard Carlson.

Before the rise of ‘Positive Psychology,’ Richard Carlson was pioneering its concepts, working on the premise that most people are generally healthy-minded but can easily get off track. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life is a result of Carlson’s insightful thinking and work.

Published over 25 years ago, its lessons remain timeless. Carlson encourages readers to put life’s challenges into perspective and focus on what truly matters. His wisdom emphasises reducing stress and avoiding unnecessary worries, helping people live more peaceful and meaningful lives.

The book is highly accessible, featuring 100 mini chapters, each 2-3 pages long, all Zen-like in their concise wisdom and practical pointers. Here are two examples that stood out for me, focusing on mindfulness, compassion, and gratitude:

• Make Peace with Imperfection: “The very act of focusing on imperfection pulls us away from being kind and gentle. This strategy isn’t about ceasing to do your best but about not being overly attached and focused on what’s wrong with life. Realise that while there’s always a better way to do something, you can still enjoy and appreciate the way things already are.”

• Be Aware of the Snowball Effect of Your Thinking: “It’s impossible to feel peaceful with your head full of concerns and annoyances. The solution is to notice what’s happening in your head before your thoughts build any momentum. The sooner you catch yourself in the act of building a mental snowball, the easier it is to stop.”

Tragically, Richard Carlson died from a pulmonary embolism at 45 during a flight from San Francisco to New York while on a promotion tour for his new book. His wife, Kristine, has continued his legacy. She wrote:

“Richard would say no person is happy all the time, but you can get back on track faster with small adjustments to your thinking and attitude, with practice. He had a gift for taking profound ideas and stating them simply but powerfully, resonating as truth with all people, regardless of their culture, religion, language, politics, or gender.”

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff remains an important book for every generation, offering timeless advice for better living in a complicated world.

2. What I’m Watching

The Century of the Self. Documentary by Adam Curtis.

Adam Curtis is a brilliant yet little known British filmmaker known for his distinctive documentary style. Described as “whiplash digressions, menacing atmospherics, and near-psychedelic compilation of archival footage,” Curtis’ work is immediately recognisable. I first discovered his work about a decade ago. His films have won five BAFTAs.

Curtis uses archival BBC footage to explore sociology, psychology, philosophy, and political history, weaving these elements into a larger narrative that uncovers the hidden forces shaping our society. His 2002 documentary, The Century of the Self, is a great example of this approach.

The documentary, split into four one-hour parts, explores the rise of psychoanalysis as a persuasive tool for both governments and corporations. This led to the creation of the consumer culture that defined the 20th century and continues to influence the 21st. Central to the documentary is one Edward Bernays, known as the father of public relations. Bernays used powerful psychological techniques to manipulate public opinion and drive consumerism, fundamentally changing how people perceived their needs and desires. Bernays also happened to have a famous uncle. Sigmund Freud.

Bernays took his uncle’s theories and transported them to America. Like Freud, Bernays believed that by tapping into people’s unconscious desires, he could influence mass behaviour, encouraging people to buy products they didn’t consciously need based instead on identity and status. By applying psychoanalytic concepts to advertising in America, Bernays helped create a culture where personal happiness was linked to material consumption. Curtis’ documentary is rich with examples of Bernays’ influence.

One of his most famous campaigns is the 1929 ‘Torches of Freedom.’ This initiative aimed to make smoking socially acceptable for women. Before the 20th century, smoking was considered inappropriate for women. Bernays linked smoking to women’s liberation and aspirations for a better life. He orchestrated a public demonstration where young, attractive women smoked cigarettes, branded as ‘torches of freedom,’ during the Easter Sunday Parade on March 31, 1929. He made sure the press captured these powerful images, leading to a significant increase in female smokers: from 5% of cigarette sales in 1923 to 12% in 1929, 18.1% in 1935, peaking at 33.3% in 1965.

Curtis also highlights how Bernays’ techniques transformed political campaigns and governance. Bernays helped engineer public support for America’s participation in World War I, moving away from traditional democratic engagement. Politicians began using public relations strategies to shape public opinion and engineer consent, a practice that continues on an even larger scale today.

The Century of the Self is an engrossing examination of how Freud’s theories of the unconscious mind influenced corporate and political power in the U.S. and beyond, largely through the work of his nephew, Bernays. These principles of public relations and consumer psychology remain central to contemporary advertising, media, and political strategies. Curtis’ documentaries are rare finds for those interested in understanding the intricacies of modern history and social dynamics.

Watch the entire The Century of the Self for free on YouTube.

3. What I’m Contemplating

This week’s featured works bring to light a clear theme: consumerism versus contentment. Edward Bernays’ techniques reveal a society driven by external desires, while Richard Carlson’s book emphasises the pursuit of internal contentment.

Adam Curtis’ documentary challenges viewers to recognise the hidden influences behind their desires. Carlson’s work complements this by suggesting ways to regain control and focus on what genuinely matters. Both works examine the psychology of individuals—Bernays from a manipulative standpoint and Carlson from a reflective, self-help perspective. Both explore the concept of the self, but in two contrasting ways.

By understanding the psychological manipulation behind consumerism, as depicted in The Century of the Self, and adopting the mindful practices from Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, we can cultivate a healthier perspective on our desires and priorities.

This proactive and personal approach to life is something I discussed in the second part of my Building a Mind for Life series: Taking Control of Our Health. If you haven’t read it yet, you can find it here. I strongly believe in developing a mind for life—one that remains busy, curious, and dynamic at every age, helping us live meaningfully and fully. It’s a guiding philosophy behind Deep Life Journey.

4. A Quote to note

“The trick is to be grateful when your mood is high and graceful when it is low.”

- Richard Carlson

5. A Question for you

In what ways can you shift your perspective to focus on what truly matters in life?

Thanks for reading and being part of the Deep Life Journey community. If you have any reflections on this issue, please leave a comment. Have a great weekend.

James

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