End Emotional Outsourcing explores how codependency, perfectionism, and people-pleasing habits undermine self-worth, and offers tools for nervous system regulation, boundary-setting, and healthier relationships. As a woman, I found the premise resonant, and I appreciated the attempt to blend somatic practices with self-reflection.

However, the execution was not a good fit for me. The author’s style is overly conversational and self-congratulatory, with a heavy use of diminutives such as “buttercups” and “my love.” I recognize that I have a personal aversion to this style, as in my own experience people who use these kinds of terms often come across as disingenuous. Still, I found the language distracting and it lessened the impact of the message. The strong emphasis on the author’s personal brand and life-coach persona also made the book feel more like marketing than substance. It also struck me as telling that she trademarked the term “emotional outsourcing,” which reinforced the sense that this was more about branding than offering new or rigorous insight. While some practical skills were useful, the overall approach lacked depth or research and read more like popular psychology, similar in tone and credibility to Malcolm Gladwell or Girl, Stop Apologizing, than an evidence-based resource.

For readers who prefer accessible, feelings-driven self-help, this book will likely resonate. For those seeking more academic or clinically grounded insight, it may feel forgettable despite its valuable premise. Three stars rather than two only because I realize I'm just not the audience for this book.

I LOVED the topic and the author's' experience, particularly her explanation of how nervous system functions and affects us; and how we're affected by the broader structures of the society. Some of her tips helped me approach practical situations in my life.

However, I got constantly distracted and annoyed by the prevalent overuse of diminutives when the author was addressing the reader (buttercups, nerdlings, etc). I assume it was supposed to be affirming and friendly but it had the opposite effect: some of these words were cringy and there were simply too much of them, I'm surprised the editor did not catch this. I was not looking for a friend when reading this book, I was looking for professional and practical advice - and a book that opposes patriarchy and emphasizes assertivity does not need to "dumb down" the languge for its readers.

Wow, I needed this book! End Emotional Outsourcing is the perfect read for anyone who feels stuck in a cycle of disregulation, racing thoughts, bad habits, and people pleasing. This book is for you if you feel you are constantly putting yourself last in line. The parts I found most helpful were the recommended somatic practices, such as learning to regulate one's own nervous system, reframing, personal responsibility for one's time and energy, and finding one's inherent self-worth and lovability from the inside out. Highly recommended. I will be re-reading this one and keeping it close.

#EndEmotionalOutsourcing

This is an outstanding book. It is full of gentle advice and easy to implement strategies and ideas to help one live a more full and happy life. This is one I'll return to again and again. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

A truly helpful self-help book that not only details emotional outsourcing (love this term) behaviors and their roots, it also provides journaling prompts to explore as well as tactics to heal and reprogram.