Running on Empty
by Jonice Webb
Webb names childhood emotional neglect, what did not happen rather than what did, and its adult signature: feeling empty, counter-dependent, hard on yourself, unsure what you feel. She offers exercises for identifying emotions, self-care and self-compassion. It fills a gap most trauma books miss.
Read it if…
nothing terrible happened in your childhood and yet you feel empty and cannot name feelings.
Skip it if…
you experienced overt abuse; other books address that directly.
Three things you will actually use
- Neglect is invisible; learn to see what was missing.
- Name feelings as a practice.
- Treat yourself as a good parent would have.
Do this first
Three times today, stop and name what you feel in one word.
Our verdict
Clarifying and kind; names an invisible wound.
Compare with other Relationships books
Big Friendship
Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman · Relationships
Honest and warm; friendship taken seriously.
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We Need to Talk
Celeste Headlee · Relationships
Brief and useful; conversation rules that work.
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