Sometimes you want a book to change your life: The Fast Diet, He’s Just Not That Into You, How To Stop Losing Your Shit With Your Kids. And sometimes you want a book that is just going to confirm that you are doing it all right and that you’re marvellous just as you are.
So it was with me and The Paleo Life, which is a new non-fiction book by Clare Foges, out in June - pre-order your copy here.
A few year ago Foges had a panic attack and went to the doctor who said, “I’m not surprised, you’re living a totally unnatural life.” (I may be paraphrasing.) Foges has always been very hard working and glamorous, slogging away in Downing Street doing something or other high level and possibly top secret. But the drama of Westminster life had clearly taken its toll, so Foges took herself off to learn about how she ought to be living her life in order not to e.g. faint in the middle of the Oxford Circus intersection, clutching her fourth coffee (this didn’t happen).
The book is the product of Foges’ research on ancient humans, drawing from what we know of how Stone Age people lived. The Stone Age, argues Foges, is when people were most content. We know this because there are tribes on Earth still rolling with Stone Age vibes and they are just very content and don’t have panic attacks or get shingles from stress. We need to pay attention to them and less attention to, say, Instagram Reels?
Chapters cover “Tribe and Friendship” (only having 3 friends - or fewer! - is fine), “Hierarchy and State” (being super successful will not make you happy, avoid people who make you feel envious) “News and Views” (stop scrolling dailymail online) “Body and Movement” (there’s a reason we don’t want to go for a run)… and so on.
Broadly, I have already come to most of the conclusions that Foges offers for a more content life. And you know what? I really am absolutely more content, (because “happy” is such a misleading word), than I was when I allowed myself to obsessively doom scroll or see social media content that made me believe that I was unsuccessful, overweight and ugly.
From what I know about readers of The Spike, they don’t tend to live their lives thoughtlessly. I’m always astonished at how healthily you eat, the supplements you take, the complex skincare routines, containing percentages of acids and so on. Even if you are already living a moderately paleo life instinctively, The Paleo Life will give you background on why this works and ideas for embracing it fully. Plus it will make you feel super smug and please don’t tell me that Stone Age man didn’t have the capacity to feel smug…
So am I right? Are you already living a Paleo Life? What are your top Stone Age habits? (Keep it clean). Please leave a comment in the handy box below to amuse and inform the group.
Hmmm. Not sure these are paleo…. But I’ve admitted my laziness to myself and now indulge it at every opportunity. The woman who wrote Bad Therapy (amazing) had a throwaway line about a lot of humanity being lazy and it being a defining trait of humans. Accepting and laughing at myself for being lazy and then giving myself a mental cuddle anyway - huge improvement in contentment.
I also try to speak to my child-self as much as I can remember. I suppose it’s “being kind to yourself” - but it does work. Far more pleasant to hear yourself saying “oh darling thats a shame but don’t worry sweetheart” than “ffs you stupid bitch” when you eg drop a full pint bottle of milk on floor at 6AM.
Yes! I’ve been eating primarily paleo-primal for more than a decade, and it has been life changing for my health and my relationship to food and my body. AND, as you and this book make clear, it’s not just about diet. For me, limiting screens (haven’t watched tv since 2019), not scrolling (off all social media except Notes), time in nature, and getting good sleep are essential to well being.