As someone who has been in and out of therapy most of my life, a lot of the information and coping strategies in this book were not new to me, and some I had even put into practice prior to reading this. However, it came at the recommendation of a therapist so I gave it a shot, and I'm so glad that I did!
I found myself doing frequently (not because the book was difficult), but because I found it important to establish many of the reaffirming mantras throughout it into my daily life. I believe that each individuals' experiences are very different, and there isn't an "end all be all" answer to coping and healing. This specifically is one of the reasons i loved reading. It provided several different women's accounts/experiences with their mothers, and which path and method of healing they chose for themselves. There is no single direction one must work towards to mend damage done. Some women in the book chose to continue to work through their relationships, some continued to work through the relationships while setting strict boundaries, and some chose to cut off the relationships entirely. All paths being valid and deeply pertaining to the individual. Another part of the book that I enjoyed was the follow up to each patient, learning what did and did not work for them etc.
My biggest takeaway understanding that you cannot change someone who refuses to, that that is okay, and that focusing on healing and moving on, or setting boundaries is crucial for your own emotional well being and worth. I would highly recommend to anyone seeking clarity and affirmation. Know that you are not alone, and that it starts by changing your self worth and unpacking the emotional damage, laying it on the table, and tackling it head on.
