Blissfully Single, A Single's Guide to Happiness

While I was marketing my first book, Love Prescription, Twelve Secrets of Happily Ever After Couples, in 2006, I was approached by single people who asked me if I would write a similar book for them. This is it.

There are many ways that people can be "single", so I've attempted to cover all the bases by interviewing 100 single men and women of all ages, from 20-90 and from Hawaii to London. I've included gay/straight, never married, divorced, widowed, with or without children, dating or not, happy or not and I hope that the quotes I've included from those interviews give a little extra insight into the experience of a life journey on your own.

I've included the techniques I used from positive psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy to help my clients find happiness in their life. One of my client was blown away that I would offer all my secrets for a paltry $15. It is my pleasure to leave this book as a legacy of the information and insight that I have garnered over 13 years of providing professional mental health therapy to people who were looking for ways to deal with life issues, depression and anxiety, eating disorders, relationship issues, and grief.

What did other people say about my book? Here are some reviews as posted on Amazon:

"Great fast read with lots of good tips and tools. Read this book while I was in quarantine which I thought wouldn't be the best idea, but it turned out great! I felt inspired with new ideas for food, meeting people in a new place, and even ways to keep myself financially and emotionally healthy. Very quick, easy read. Highly recommend for anyone who's single or even just living alone."

"This book is what every single person needs. Not advice, but useful suggestions. Ways to have fun, ways to take care of yourself. Examples of what others have done to create the lives they enjoy."

"Consider the wisdom of 100 singles, many of whom entered singledom lonely with fear and trepidation. This book offers the benefits of therapy with highly readable vignettes and helpful exercises. Readers will receive valuable guidance to finding happiness in one's own company, as well as useful hints on expanding one's universe."

"Once I looked past the word "blissfully" - which doesn't seem like a realistic state, single or otherwise, I put away my cynicism and found much to like about this unique book. The author interviewed 100 single men and women, all ages, and I enjoyed their answers to various questions. There are also helpful chapters on staying healthy, managing money, the importance of a good night;'s sleep, fun activities to do alone or with friends and suggested readings."

"All in all, this book offers helpful tips that could increase one's number of blissful moments. And, in my experience, blissful moments carry the potential of compounding when considered with gratitude."

"Because we are constantly bombarded by media with stories of how everyone is (or should be) searching for the perfect mate, it's easy to feel like you must be a loser if you're not half of a couple. So it's refreshing to read a book like this, a compilation of interviews of women and men who are not afraid to admit they are happy single."

"Amazingly succinct, well written with actual wisdom thrown in. Enjoyed hearing other's stories. Absolutely recommend it, single or not now, you never know what tomorrow will bring."

"I wish this was available back when my life was changing. A marvelous book that the author has created. I wish it had been available to me years ago when I was rediscovering my self."

" Good read and really helpful, especially during quarantine when dating is pretty nonexistent."

So don't just take my word for it. This book is literally a treasure chest full of gold. I had to laugh about the reaction of the questionable title of Blissfully Single. Happiness is the opposite of sad. We can do better than just not being sad. We can reach for the stars. We can attempt to fulfill ourselves to the highest potential. That has been my goal to help other people find the way to be more evolved, to reach that highest rung on Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs: self-actualization..... to try to reach the unattainable.

The book is available in Kindle format and the paperback book can be found at Whatcom Art Market and Village Books in Bellingham, Watermark Bookshop in Anacortes, or you can order it from Amazon or from your favorite bookstore.

It's a journey that never ends. I offer this blog to continue to walk that path with me.