After the stresses of the pandemic, many people crave self-care, but are still reluctant to prioritize their own needs, said Michelle Elman, author of the new book, “ The Joy of Being Selfish: Why you need boundaries and how to set them.” If you feel guilty saying no, expressing your needs or standing up for yourself, allow this book to hit you with some uncomfortable but necessary truths. Michelle’s signature take-no-sh*t attitude combines with genuine compassion and expertise to teach you what boundaries really look like, and why you deserve them. Every woman in my life would benefit from this book.” Say NO to demanding friends. NO to parties you don't want to go to. NO to being tied to your phone. NO to unwanted hugs. This is an empowering, essential and playful guide to setting boundaries, for readers aged 9+. This remarkable book grapples with the wider implications of Michelle's experiences and the complex interplay between beauty and illness ... I was so happy to have come across her story, because it made me feel like I wasn't alone, and wasn't unusual."

has been challenging in so many ways but one opportunity has arisen out of all the chaos, grief and misery. It has given us time to pause and prioritise ourselves more. It has given us the chance to be more selfish. Selfish is often seen as a negative word but 2020 has been the year that has turned boundaries from an extra perk that only the most self-aware benefit from to an essential life skill that we must all have to survive. If so, you need a strong dose of boundaries. It's time to discover the joy being selfish. Putting the needs of everyone around us before our own is ingrained in us from a young age.I received this advanced review copy of the book from a Publisher’s Weekly giveaway. I have already learned the lessons described in this book. However, both my best friend and my daughter will totally benefit from reading The Joy of Being Selfish. Now to decide which one to loan it to first. 5 stars!

Is your friendship group constantly filled with drama? * Does your boss make constant unreasonable demands? * Do you find yourself saying 'yes' to people and events to keep those around you happy? * Do you often find yourself emotionally exhausted and physically drained? When was the last time you said “no” to something you didn’t want to do or decline an invite from a person you didn’t want to see? One of the few people who truly embody the message that they teach. Her expertise is undeniable, her writing has the ability to connect with every reader in a way that feels as if they're being supported and understood"Be prepared to accept the consequences of your boundaries (but discourtesy shouldn’t be one of them)

How often have you heard of a mother being called selfish for prioritising her own dreams above her family. We are told that being selfless is the best thing you can be, but I completely disagree with that.’ In a world where dating advice seems to come either too late, too confusing or too strict, The Selfish Romantic makes dating fun again by reminding you that you are the one to prioritize and fall in love with. I wish I had this book when I was younger and dating! A book for any age trying to enter into partnership." What’s up with the title, The Joy of Being Selfish? Well…sometimes you need to just say no. For your own mental health. If you never get any me time because you are constantly fulfilling the needs of others, this is a book you MUST read.MORE : As a trans dad, I took pregnancy in my stride – but my mental health deteriorated after the birth of my child Are you constantly saying yes to Zoom calls even though you’ve completely lost interest? Do you allow your friends to offload their worries on you? The book has a very blunt and direct style, and doesn't focus much on empathy or conversation. However, in a way that might be a good thing, because someone who is prone to having their boundaries pushed will likely go too much for those elements already, and a good dose of harshness might be just what is needed. The author uses the concept of 'childhood trauma' a little too liberally for my tastes. Any and all issues with boundaries she, without hesitation, attributes to some parenting failure you had to endure as a child. The book is written in an engaging, direct style that is easy to follow. Some parts and examples have a nice self-deprecating flair to it. On top of that, the book offers various exercises one can do to improve boundaries. Although Elman doesn't explain them in any detail, she hints at/uses a number of models common in other self-help books (Eisenhower's importance/urgency matrix, stimulus-response and shifting paradigms)