How to Resist Guilt: On What's Holding Women Back

From the author of “In Defense of Witches,” a powerful exploration of self-blame, its origins, why women are prone to it, and what we can do about it.

Many of us battle a relentless inner critic, which whispers to us that we are unworthy or inadequate, whether in our role as parents, employees, or citizens of an unjust world. In How to Resist Guilt acclaimed feminist writer Mona Chollet asks why we so often succumb to these feelings and settle for a second-rate life lived under constant pressure, instead of fighting back, having the courage to say no, protecting our boundaries and living the life that we deserve.

Drawing widely on popular culture and literature to expose this “enemy within,” Chollet encourages us to reject the fear of not being good enough, to liberate ourselves from overwhelming duty and to enjoy the profound simplicity of just being. Delving into the insidious ways guilt is wielded as a tool by those with power and privilege, particularly against marginalized communities including women and sexual and racial minorities, she helps us to identify the source of the critical voice, question its validity, and ultimately silence it.