Madly in Love with ME

November 19, 2012
Arylo’s (Choosing ME before WE) unabashedly positive, step-by-step workbook is designed to help women take the compassion, appreciation, and care one would lavish on a companion, and redirect it inward. The author rescues the notion of “self-love” from the reductive realms of masturbation, narcissism, and days at the spa, and presents it instead as a fruitful alternative to the incessant reprimands to sacrifice. Arylo is an enthusiastic mentor, and she offers plenty of creative tips for creating self-love, from going on a nice date (by yourself), working on a self-love–centered art project, and taking a love bath. For those made uncomfortable by the admonishment to “vigorously love-loofah yourself,” she also provides practical exercises, such as quizzes, suggestions for how to productively rephrase ideas of oneself, and inspiring affirmations and “love truths” to guide readers on their journey. Though couched in overwhelmingly saccharine language, Arylo’s warm, fun, and informative handbook contains deep truths.