Tan cover with black and blue font

How to Be an Adult in Relationships: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving

by David Richo Author

This book helped me a lot. Richo helps you trace your adult relationship issues back to whatever was going on in your family during your early childhood—whether that's putting up with stuff you shouldn't, or acting in ways you know aren't healthy, playing roles that aren't reall you, or simply expecting too much or too little. The best part about this book is that it's a guide to developing compassion, boundaries, and providing the adult relationship with yourself that you've been missing... rather than the angry focus on blame and overcoming that most books like this provide. The writing style is a bit new-agey for my taste, and I can't help but roll my eyes when the author shares a poem that he's written, but it's all in such a caring and positive tone—you get the sense that Richo himself came a long way to reach this perspective, and you can too. Every chapter has a bunch of exercises at the end of different types, and there's always one to suit. Reading this book is a real act of self-care.