Have you ever felt lost, overwhelmed or in need of life direction? Most of us face these struggles at some point. That‘s where The School of Life steps in. Through books, videos and other media, this global brand provides thoughtful wisdom and practical tips for gaining self-knowledge and leading a fulfilled existence.
As an avid reader and self-improvement enthusiast, I‘ve explored much of what The School of Life has to offer. In this in-depth review, I‘ll give you an insider‘s look at their unique approach and most popular offerings. You‘ll also get my take on whether these resources are worth your precious time and money.
A Brief History of The School of Life
Before diving in, let‘s quickly cover what The School of Life is all about…
Founded in 2008 by author Alain de Botton and other philosophers, The School of Life aims to make the wisdom of philosophy accessible to modern audiences. Their mission is to help people address life‘s eternal questions and challenges through intelligent reflection.
Some key milestones since their founding:
- Launched online courses in 2010
- Opened their first physical location in London in 2011
- Expanded to key European cities like Amsterdam and Berlin
- Product portfolio has grown to over 500 publications
Today, The School of Life serves over 500k social media followers. Their offerings now span books, videos, card decks, one-on-one therapy, classes and more. Let‘s analyze some of their most popular self-help tools.
Review of Best-Selling School of Life Books
I‘ve read my fair share of personal development books, and The School of Life stands out for their intellectually-stimulating philosophical approach. Below I review some of their top publications that have resonated with me.
How to Think More Effectively
If you feel overwhelmed by modern life or struggle with unproductive thinking habits, this practical 138-page guide is an absolute game-changer. It comprehensively analyzes different modes and methods of thinking while providing concrete tips to enhance your cognition.
What I loved about it:
- Digestible breakdown of schools of thought like strategic thinking and contemplative thinking
- Actionable tactics to improve focus, creativity, and decision making
- Thoughtful self-assessments to better know your mind
It‘s one of few books that lives up to its ambitious title. The actionable framework revealed so much about my own limiting thought patterns.
What Does It All Mean?
As I entered my 30s, I often pondered life‘s biggest questions around purpose, love, mortality and more. This mind-expanding guide helped me find answers. It discusses how history‘s greatest philosophers would address modern existential quandaries.
Standout features:
- Concise summaries of influential philosophical texts
- Applied philosophical concepts to everyday problems
- Enlightening thought experiments that shift perspective
I gained so much clarity on what constitutes a life well lived. It helped me become at peace with life‘s ups and downs.
The School of Life Dictionary
This reference guide defines over 500 emotional concepts, ethical ideas, and schools of thought. It‘s perfect for anyone looking to expand their intellectual horizons.
I appreciated:
- Succinct, easy-to-digest definitions
- Covers positive psychology, stoicism, existentialism and more
- Empowers more nuanced inner dialogues
I loved diving into new philosophical ideas. It equips you with conceptual tools to better know yourself.
The School of Life just has a knack for stimulating important inner journeys in an accessible way. While not always easy reads, they unlock lasting personal growth.
Evaluating the Wider Product Range
Beyond books, The School of Life offers more bitesized content like videos and card decks. Their products target personal growth areas like relationships, work, anxiety and more.
Popular card decks include:
- Emotional Baggage: Reflect on negative emotional patterns
- Connect: Sparking intimate discussions for couples
- Calm: Soothing perspectives for anxious minds
I‘ll often turn to these card decks for quick doses of inspiration and self-reflection. The novel formats make internalizing the lessons smooth. However, retaining the wisdom requires repeated use.
For more immersive learning, The School of Life‘s online classes and in-person sessions in select cities are superb. I took their secular sermons course, which was brilliant for putting life in perspective.
One product category that I find hit or miss is their therapeutic offering. While the therapists come well qualified, the remote nature makes it hard to forge genuine connections in my experience. Still it can provide general guidance.
Market Research on Self-Help Industry Trends
To further put The School of Life in context, let‘s explore some key statistics I gathered on the wider self-help industry:
- Over $12 billion in annual consumer spending on personal development products
- Steady 5-6% yearly industry growth projected through 2025
- Top reasons for seeking self-help: career growth, relationships, purpose
As competition increases, most self-help brands take a psychological approach. What sets The School of Life apart is their heavy emphasis on philosophy and critical thinking over tactical advice.
There‘s incredible demand for guidance on life‘s complex problems, which explains The School of Life‘s rapid success. Consumers praise their intellectually nuanced approach in an crowded industry.
However, breaking through requires strong branding and marketing. Some accuse The School of Life of "commercializing" wisdom traditions. There‘s tensions around profiting off human frailty that warrant examination.
My Best Tips for Getting the Most from The School of Life
As an enthusiastic customer for years now, I‘ve gathered some best practices for extracting maximum value from The School of Life‘s offerings:
1. Choose narrow topics – With a sprawling product range, focus on your precise needs
2. Set goals & intentions – Define what insights, changes you hope to achieve
3. Take notes & reflect – Digest bits over weeks, not hours
4. Supplement & repeat – Combine with other self-help modalities
The lessons sink in exponentially deeper when I follow this formula. It prevents getting overwhelmed by the intellectual depth.
On the other hand, some pitfalls to avoid:
- Rushing through materials without proper contemplation
- Letting guilt or anxiety sabotage your growth
- Assuming the resources are self-sufficient – long-term counseling likely still needed for major life problems
While insightful, The School of Life cannot solve all life‘s complexities alone. Manage expectations, while leveraging as part of a broader self-care plan.
Real Customer Testimonials on Their Offerings
Rather than just taking my word, let‘s hear from others who have used The School of Life‘s products:
"I was dealing with a stagnant career and lack of direction when I discovered The School of Life. Their workshops on meaning and work profoundly shifted my mindset and led me to quit my unfulfilling job to seek more meaningful work. While risky, it was the best life decision I ever made." — John, 32
"My wife bought me the Connect card deck for my birthday to deepen communication in our marriage. The thoughtful prompts led to incredible conversations that brought us closer together. After 12 years of marriage, I feel like I‘m understanding her for the first time." — Mark, 41
"As someone who struggles with anxiety, I found the Calm card deck reassuring. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I‘ll pick a card with perspectives from Seneca or Nietzsche on understanding fear. It gives me just enough wisdom to shift my mindset, so I don‘t get consumed by anxiety spells." — Leila, 29
The common thread is that readers praise The School of Life for providing accessible bite-sized philosophy to apply to life‘s everyday problems and relationships. For many, it provides that missing link that psychotherapy or typical self-help content cannot.
However, some find the intellectual nature less accessible:
"I was intrigued by their books but struggled to get through them. As someone who never studied philosophy, the assumed base of knowledge made me feel inadequate. Their offerings speak to those already within that intellectual circle rather than welcoming newcomers." — Sarah, 44
This exposes the risk that their products overwhelm or exclude those unfamiliar with such philosophical concepts. The School of Life could do more to support different learning levels.
Final Verdict: Worth Exploring (With Patience)
The School of Life manages to successfully bring the world of philosophical ideas and critical thinking down from the ivory tower to help everyday people. Their books, videos and classes tackle life‘s biggest personal growth opportunities – purpose, relationships, mortality, creativity.
However, their intellectually dense content almost overwhelms the very wisdom and practical utility they aim to share. With persistence and an openness to new ways of thinking, the payoff can betransformative. But it does not deliver easy or rapid solutions.
Treat their offerings as a starting point for self-discovery rather than a direct solution. Invest the time to contemplate the lessons. Define the specific problems you hope to solve. And supplement with other self-care resources when needed.
Despite some limitations, I firmly believe we need more critical, intellectually nuanced perspectives within the crowded self-help space. The School of Life moves culture in a more thoughtful direction – which we desperately need.
So if you find yourself lost in life‘s complex maze, explore The School of Life‘s books and resources with an open mind. Let the philosophical wisdom wash over you and hopefully specialty you toward more meaning and fulfillment. But pack some patience for the journey ahead.
