by Richard Templar
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Category: Book Reviews | Personal Development | Life Lessons

“If we weren’t all different, we’d all be the same. How boring would that be?” — Rule 15, Difference Is a Good Thing

Sometimes we come across a book that doesn’t try to change our lives with groundbreaking revelations—it simply reminds us how to live with a bit more grace, clarity, and calm. The Rules of Living Well by Richard Templar is exactly that kind of book. A quiet guide. A voice of reason. A gentle nudge toward a better version of yourself.

I picked this up during a time when I’d already started noticing a shift in myself. I’ve been calmer lately. Not overthinking as much. I’ve been gentler with my own expectations and learning to love myself more honestly. This book arrived like a mirror, gently affirming what I’d already begun to practice—living well doesn’t require perfection, just intention.

What the Book Is

This isn’t your typical self-help book with heavy theory or chapters to read in one go. Instead, The Rules of Living Well offers short, digestible reflections—each “rule” its own standalone insight.

Think of it like a life manual written by that one wise friend who gives advice without sounding preachy. The tone is warm, sensible, and often gently humorous. It doesn’t tell you to “fix your life”—it invites you to reframe it, rule by rule.

What I Loved Most

Here are a few standout rules that stayed with me—and why they hit differently:

1. Rule 15: “Difference is a good thing.”

This chapter made me stop and smile. It was a reminder that we weren’t meant to fit into the same boxes. Whether in how we think, love, dress, or dream—our differences aren’t flaws. They’re flavors. And I needed to hear that. As someone who’s often felt “too quiet,” “too deep,” or “too sensitive,” this rule gave me permission to simply be.

“If we weren’t all different, we’d all be the same. How boring would that be?”
A perfect quote to scribble into the margins of life.

2. Rule on Resilience: “Our thoughts and feelings may be different, but they’re not entirely separate.”

This one felt especially relevant for me as a nurse and writer—someone who constantly holds space for both emotional depth and mental clarity. The line between thought and feeling is not always clean, and that’s okay. What matters is learning to pause, to notice, and to respond with compassion toward ourselves.

3. Rule on Parenthood: “Your partner won’t know how you’re feeling if you don’t tell them.”

Simple, but powerful. It reminded me how often we expect others to read our minds, especially those we love. Communication isn’t just an act—it’s a kindness. I found myself thinking about my own relationships and how I can be more honest, not just in what I say, but in how I open up.

Personal Reflection

Reading this book felt like sitting down for tea with someone wiser than me—someone who wasn’t judging how messy life can get, but simply offering a few tools to make the days smoother.

Lately, I’ve been trying to be more mindful of how I spend my energy. To be softer with myself when I don’t get everything done. To choose presence over productivity. And this book? It aligned perfectly with that season of life.

Each rule served as a quiet checkpoint. Am I living in a way that reflects what matters to me? Am I communicating honestly? Am I showing up fully—for others and for myself?

It didn’t try to impress. It didn’t complicate things. It just helped me come back to the kind of person I’m trying to be: calm, kind, whole.

Favorite Quotes

• “If we weren’t all different, we’d all be the same. How boring would that be?”
• “Our thoughts and our feelings may be different, but they’re not entirely separate.”
• “Your partner won’t know how you’re feeling if you don’t tell them.”

These lines, in their simplicity, hold enough truth to guide a lifetime.

The Rules of Living Well isn’t revolutionary—but that’s what makes it beautiful. It’s honest. Practical. And full of small, golden reminders that can truly shape how you move through the world.

If you’re looking for a book to ground you—especially in a time when everything feels like it demands too much—this one is for you. It won’t overwhelm you. It’ll anchor you.

Would I recommend it?

Yes. Especially for anyone in a transition season—new job, relationship changes, burnout, or just trying to be a better human.

Best read when:

You need perspective. Or when you’re sipping coffee on a slow morning, reflecting on life’s quiet lessons.

Quote to remember:

“Living well doesn’t require you to be perfect—just present.”