Today’s society is the land of the narcissist, with the media encouraging people to spend more time taking selfies and talking about themselves, than helping others. Although a clinical disorder of people who have a grand sense of self-importance and gaslighting onto sensitive beings, society tends to encourage a worldview where people have to think they are ‘special’ (the same goes for some children raised this way, who risk turning into nightmare adults).
A well-known way to describe someone of this ilk is The Narcissist’s Prayer. Read this, to confirm whether you’ve ever met one:
That didn’t happen.
And if it did, it wasn’t that bad.
And if it was, that’s not a big deal.
And if it is, that’s not my fault.
And if it was, I didn’t mean it.
And if I did, you deserved it.
Humble: Free Yourself from the Traps of a Narcissistic World is a practical and philosophical dive into humility, and how it can build confidence, foster honest about our strengths and limitations, and help us to achieve success. Humble people not only handle challenges better, but often are the people we like the most. In a world where narcissists dominate social media (and getting noticed is key to getting ahead), it’s not surprising we have work to do, on our sometimes self-sabotaging egos. Humbleness is the happy medium between self-denial and self-obsessions, and grants the holder an accurate view of reality. By seeing where we have room to improve, we can grow. Yet by admitting our doubts, we can learn. And by acknowledging our own worldview as one of many, we can truly connect with others. This book shifts us from the ‘self-esteem movement’, to a world in which we lift one another up.
Making Space is a book about how setting boundaries, can make life better. Boundaries and self-care go hand-in-hand, you can’t have one without the other. When we have healthy boundaries, we create a space between us and others, to feel safe, clear and confident in who we are, and what we need. Our boundaries (the limits on what we will and won’t tolerate) define our routines, habits, choices, parenting, jobs, relationships. In this practical guide, look at boundaries that work for and against us, and create new boundaries so physical, mental, emotional and digital spaces are protected. Packed with friendly advice for anyone who feels overwhelmed, disconnected or walked on in life, and wants to make a change in an ever-enroaching world.
Can I Say No? is a book for those who get manipulated by narcissists. For most of her life, Stephanie Preissner was a people-pleaser. From hair-raising sleepovers and endless offers of cake to unwanted second dates and unrealistic work demands, she said yes to everything, even if it scared her or made her uncomfortable. Until one day, she realised that her life had become more about agreeing to other people’s decisions, than making any of her own. So she made a decision. She would start saying no – to everything! Hilarious and honest, follow Stephanie through managing her fear of disappointing people, the thrill of setting boundaries and coming to understand that she was worth more than the sum of her yeses. ‘No’ may not always be the right answer, but the secret is finding the balance.
