anyone?
I can't afford a shrink.
anyone?
I can't afford a shrink.
"Life and death, energy and peace. If I stop today it was still worth it. Even the terrible mistakes that I made and would have unmade if I could. The pains that have burned me and scarred my soul, it was worth it, for having been allowed to walk where I've walked, which was to hell on earth, heaven on earth, back again, into, under, far in between, through it, in it, and above."
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it may be helpful to know what your issues are before we reccomend books....





When I'm bitter and sad, there's nothing like a good piece of rolicking nihilism. "Straw Dogs" by John Gray is pretty good.
But fiction is better, with the same themes. It's like my version of therapy. Lots and lots of Palahniuk, lol, what can I say? Or else Rohinton Mistry. I just know that I'm cynical and skeptical and a diehard atheist...so whenever people suggest 'self help' stuff, I roll my eyes so far in my head trying to read it...Truly, the only thing that ever makes me feel better is reading about people who think life is ridiculous.
Absurdity, girl!! It will help you out, I bet. Gives you back your sense of humour.
- i need to find a way to manage my money better so i can afford college and living expenses and travel
-i'm depressed and just got out of a horrible relationship
-i'm really weird and can't relate to anyone and feel like I'm from another planet.
among others.
"Life and death, energy and peace. If I stop today it was still worth it. Even the terrible mistakes that I made and would have unmade if I could. The pains that have burned me and scarred my soul, it was worth it, for having been allowed to walk where I've walked, which was to hell on earth, heaven on earth, back again, into, under, far in between, through it, in it, and above."
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, by Gavin Becker.
Trust me, you need it.
mollyzmoon- yeah.... self help books don't really work for me. spirituality related self help books work a little better, but traditional self help books just make me feel even more stubborn and helpless.
"Life and death, energy and peace. If I stop today it was still worth it. Even the terrible mistakes that I made and would have unmade if I could. The pains that have burned me and scarred my soul, it was worth it, for having been allowed to walk where I've walked, which was to hell on earth, heaven on earth, back again, into, under, far in between, through it, in it, and above."
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http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Nat.../9780312423933
That book is great. Dark, funny. Will make you feel better. So is "Bang, Crunch"...can't remember the author, I'll look it up.
"Enduring Love" by Ian McEwan would probably REALLY resonate with you...And for something deliciously dark and funny, also check out "Amsterdam" by him.
"Loveship, Hateship, Friendship, Courtship" by Alice Munro. Hell, anything by her, except maybe that recent Castle Rock one. No one understands loneliness and how much life can suck like her. Absurdity too...it's also dark and funny and truthful.
Lots of those are short story collections...because when I'm out of sorts, short stories and novellas are easier to take in. It's the kind of reading that gives a girl back her confidence...sense of balance, IMO.
Also, "The Best Thing For You" by Annabel Lyon...three novellas. Good stuff, same idea.




"The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron.



"Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them" ~ recommended for anyone who was ever in an abusive and/or controlling relationship. Been around since the '80's.
http://www.amazon.com/Men-Hate-Women.../dp/0553381415
"It's My Life Now" ~ starting over after leaving a bad relationship.
http://www.amazon.com/Its-My-Life-No...9977170&sr=1-4
I have read both and can recommend them highly.
Also try to find a book of daily meditations or affirmations for women. I have one, I think it is called Goddess 365 (more Wiccan centered) but reading a small passage everyday when I am super stressed really does lift my spirits.





Personally, I think you need the theoretical grounding and empowerment that some good feminist books might give you.
The Beauty Myth- Naomi Wolf. Fucking AMAZING book.
Backlash- Susan Faludi
Feminist Frameworks- Building Theory on Violence Against Women
i'll try to think of more.
and shoot, I think Reviving Ophelia (if you haven't read it) would be helpful.
But nothing will help if YOU aren't willing to change or put in the work. Best of luck.








I have "Men Who Hate Women" and "Embraced". I also have a book by Louise Hay called "You Can Heal Your Life". I can send you these since I know you are low on funds.
"The Power of Now" by Ekhart Tolle is supposed to be good...





I was going to recommend this.
It discusses how fear is used to help people decide what's best for them and help them survive and how fear is actually a gift.
There's a good story in it on how a woman saved her own life from little triggers she subconciously caught when a man raped her that he'd actually was going to kill her.
Look like a woman
Think like a man
Act like a lady
Work like a dog
- My Great Grandmother Bessie's Recipe for Success





Dr Phil - Life Strategies




I'm gonna second Colette's feminist recommendations.
But I will also say that if you can afford a couple of books (unless you're strictly getting them at the library) there is *probably* a shrink somewhere in your city with a sliding scale that you can cope with.
I mean, some of them start at, like, $20. :-)




^^
Yup. She's a "top earner most nights" anyhow.![]()
A $20-60 visit with a licensed counselor should be no problem, and is a far better investment than some books that will probably just collect dust.
Finding a counselor on a sliding scale might take a bit of effort and research, but it looks like you have plenty of free time online to do so.
Kamryn
Add me on MySpace:Check out my newbie blog:
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I checked this out at the library. I'm LOVING the library right now.![]()
"The How Of Happiness"
A scientific approach to getting the life you want.
By: Sonja Lyubomirsky
This is a great Book!!



The Four Agreements
Every single comment you make towards me reeks of bitchiness and is completely condescending. I am a top earner in my club, I make very good money and I am good at my job. I just moved to a new town, into a new apartment and there are expenses you have when you move that unfortunately have to come first- like the deposit on my apartment, 1st months rent, this month's rent, my electric bill, my internet bill, getting the doors fixed on my house, car insurance, health insurance, furniture, a BED, little things you don't think about but you need like cleaning supplies, plates, silverware..... it all adds up. Even though I am making good money, it's not being saved up or put aside for therapy and tuition just yet, because I JUST got here a little under three weeks ago.
I'm going to the library to get books and also just hanging out in the bookstore reading the ones I can't find at the library.... so I'm not spending money on any books- just borrowing them
and txchick.... even if I had the money right now, I wouldn't be spending full price on a shrink, because I can utilize the ones at the school I'm going to, or find one who works on a sliding scale. I am always trying to save money when I can. Books do not ever collect dust with me, I'm an avid reader. I read multiple books at a time. I am ALWAYS at the bookstore or the library reading about something, and when I'm done with the books I've read, I give them away to someone else- so they never ever "collect dust".
"Life and death, energy and peace. If I stop today it was still worth it. Even the terrible mistakes that I made and would have unmade if I could. The pains that have burned me and scarred my soul, it was worth it, for having been allowed to walk where I've walked, which was to hell on earth, heaven on earth, back again, into, under, far in between, through it, in it, and above."
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i know you say you can't afford a shrink, so maybe you can write yourself letters? i write letters to people who make me angry but never send them, it works really well!
haha^ funny you say that. I have notebooks full of letters to myself, rants, etc... I'm a compulsive journal writer... I have been keeping journals and writing regularly since I learned how to read/write. I've always used writing as a tool, I just need some new books to peruse...
"Life and death, energy and peace. If I stop today it was still worth it. Even the terrible mistakes that I made and would have unmade if I could. The pains that have burned me and scarred my soul, it was worth it, for having been allowed to walk where I've walked, which was to hell on earth, heaven on earth, back again, into, under, far in between, through it, in it, and above."
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I third or fourth The Gift of Fear.
Also Trauma and Recovery, Judith Herman.
Promote yourself and earn more money! This is a business that is owned by strippers for strippers. Let's make that money!
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