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Cover of As a Matter of Course

As a Matter of Course

Written by Annie Payson Call

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Mental health

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About this book

"As a Matter of Course" by Annie Payson Call is a self-help book written during the late 19th century. The text aims to assist readers in identifying and removing various nervous irritants that contribute to physical disease and hinder personal fulfillment in daily life. It delves into the various pressures and expectations of modern civilization that can lead individuals to overlook the simplicity of maintaining a healthy and balanced life. The opening portion of the book begins with a metaphor of climbing a mountain, emphasizing the idea that many small irritants in everyday life can easily be overcome if faced with the right mindset. Call discusses how trivial problems often magnify our stress and nervousness, leading to mental and physical setbacks. She suggests that recognizing these issues and taking them as they come—"as a matter of course”—can help regain one’s balance and peace of mind. The author further elaborates on how civilization’s complexities contribute to chronic nervous irritation and proposes that a practical and non-sentimental approach to everyday challenges will lead to a healthier and more fulfilled life.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in As a Matter of Course, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • uplifting
  • instructive
  • philosophical

Annie Payson Call's "As a Matter of Course" is a late 19th-century self-help guide designed to alleviate nervous irritants and their detrimental effects on physical and mental well-being. The book posits that many everyday stresses are trivial but become magnified due to a reactive mindset, hindering personal fulfillment. Through a practical, non-sentimental approach, Call encourages readers to confront life's minor challenges with a calm, balanced perspective, taking them "as a matter of course." It argues that modern civilization's complexities often obscure the path to a simpler, healthier existence, and by adopting a specific mindset, individuals can regain peace and vitality. The text, beginning with the metaphor of climbing a mountain, emphasizes that resilience to small setbacks is crucial for navigating life's larger difficulties.

“Many a mountain is climbed easily, if we only take one step at a time, and not look too far ahead.”

Key themes

Overcoming Nervous Irritation
This is the central theme of the book, focusing on identifying and neutralizing the multitude of small, everyday stressors that accumulate to cause significant mental and physical distress. Call argues that these irritants are often trivial but become magnified by an inappropriate mindset.
Simplicity vs. Complexity of Modern Life
The book critiques the pressures and expectations of 'modern civilization' (late 19th century) for fostering an environment where individuals overlook simple truths and healthy living in favor of complicated, stress-inducing routines and reactions. It advocates for a return to a simpler, more natural way of engaging with life.
Mindset and Perspective
A core tenet of the book is that one's mindset and perspective are crucial in determining how external events impact internal well-being. It emphasizes that problems often magnify stress not because of their inherent difficulty, but because of how they are perceived and reacted to.

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