The Kindness Method by Shahroo Izadi is a well-researched addition to the typical self-help section of the bookstore.

I have to make a confession. This one took me way longer to finish than it should have. I actually put it down pretty early deciding that the book wasn’t for me.

Here’s why:

Shahroo Izadi is a Behavioral Change Specialist. She studied Psychosocial Sciences and Psychology, and her work has almost completely involved drug addiction and recovery work. She talks A LOT about this in the first chapters. So, me being me, decided that the book was for that audience despite what the synopsis described, and it wasn’t going to help me.

Luckily, I decided to read a bit more later. What I found was a book that was clear and practical. Her “maps” were extremely useful. The exercises were motivating and helped me to learn more about my personal needs.

I also learned this: Drug addiction, alcoholism, and overeating are just some ways that people deal with the problems that most of us face on a daily basis. This book taught me that I can’t approach solutions with an, “It’s not for me because I’m not like that,” attitude. This author explains that being judgment-free and helping someone increase self-esteem, self-belief, and self-awareness is how we all stop negative behaviors. (Personally, mine are procrastinating on my books and posting to this blog too sporadically. #Truth)