‘The Flip Life’ advocates change in perspectiven & coming back to self
Rajkumari Sharma Tankha
Divided into five sections (Perspective, The Inner Game, Work & Worth, People & Pain, and The Chaos of Clarity), The Flip Life (Penguin Random House) by Amit Dhawan is worth reading, not once, but as many times as you develop some sort of confusion in your own life.
Yes, this book clears the smog not through the words of the author but by making you introspect. It doesn’t give you certain tips to achieve success but makes you think about ‘flip side’, makes you reflect on the situation at hand and be more aware. And awareness and introspection are liberating. Aren’t they?
As the author says: “This book isn’t about motivation or milestones… It’s about the small flips that bring us back to ourselves.” And, coming back to self is something that is much-needed in the times we are living in.
When I got this book, as is my habit, I randomly opened it. The page that opened in front of me was Page number 217 that talks about the presence of “beauty” “Beauty lies in the eyes of beholder, yes. But, also in the need”. The second part of this title is something I had never thought about! But, after reading it stuck me the second part is as true as the first!.
“Beauty” made me read the book from the first page. And, I wasn’t disappointed. The whole of the book has such nuggets of wisdom, realisations that gently nudge your conscious.
Consider these
The biggest shift isn’t in the situation. It is in your stance. OR Don’t confuse silence with peace. Somethimes, they are oposites. OR Some people love you but only in the ways that break you.
The bite-sized reflections are its strong point – Dhawan has not used long drawn sentences with heavy words but short punchy statements and one-liners. An easy read, suitable for readers who like quick reflection rather than a long, dense theory.
Dhawan focusses on mindset and perspective, stressing on changing your interpretive lens – flip how you view things – which is quite refreshing in a sea of self-help books that talk about “do more, hustle more”.
He has given his “reflections” on purpose, clarity, self-awareness, resilience etc. The brief and punchy style of writing seems a perfect fit Gen Z people who talk in abbreviations, although it may leave seniors ‘longing for more’.
The presentation is clean too. Dhawan has given his reflection on the left-side page and explained it through a poem on the right-side page.
Overall, The Flip Life is a solid, thoughtful read that serves well as a reflective companion for those seeking a mindful pause in a busy life. It may not dramatically change your life overnight, but it offers meaningful prompts to shift how you see your current situation. The breezy and accessible style is certainly a plus.
Dhawan’s writing is honest and relatable seems to have been borne out of life’s experiences (he himself says the book is 32 years of work) – something that makes it easy to connect with and reflect. I am sure this book can certainly help build clarity and change perspective for it need only small shifts in mindset to bring in these changes.
