Forty years in clinical psychology private practice brings a depth and perspective. I've seen it all. One of the most underrated conditions in the human psyche is ambivalence. We all experience it, in small ways, like whether to change lanes on the freeway, or buy an off-brand of cereal. When ambivalence strikes, anxiety comes along. Menu indecision often paralyzes diners. Some can't decide which shirt to buy in the store. Ambivalence is not considered serious enough to be a clinical syndrome, yet the more it controls you, the more paralyzed you become.
The book's focus lies in the bigger versions, the more global conditions, that are more like syndromes—all rooted in ambivalence. There are three: procrastination, guilt, and forgiveness. The initial one usually is annoying to others. The second one causes pain to other, but mostly to you. The last one, forgiveness, is painful. Resolving this transforms lives.
This book explores the mechanisms of ambivalence, and its hidden influence on three major life experiences. It goes into depth about the dynamics--reasons, elements, locations, timings. Crucially, there are tools, techniques and general strategies for overcoming procrastination, guilt and forgiveness. The goal is to understand and triumph—to take your life back.
