Getting to Good Riddance

May 2, 2022
In this upbeat if conventional outing, psychologist Eckleberry-Hunt (Move on Motherf*cker) lays out a tough love approach to getting over breakups. Using client stories and psychological theory, the author provides the brokenhearted with strategies for “taking your frustration and anger and channeling it into forward progress.” Citing research that found swearing can have a cathartic effect, Eckleberry-Hunt encourages readers to adopt the mantra “move on, motherfucker” and take responsibility for their sulking. She recommends keeping a journal to identify problematic beliefs, and illustrates its benefits with the story of a client who made peace with a breakup after writing about things he was grateful for and working past his conviction that being single made him a loser. The author details psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s five stages of grief and urges readers to navigate them by reflecting on and arguing back against negative thoughts. “Survival skills” for managing a split include keeping a daily routine, avoiding alcohol, and doing yoga. The advice isn’t novel, but Eckleberry-Hunt’s can-do attitude is motivating (“You will feel better.... I can’t say exactly when, but it will happen”). Heartsick readers will appreciate this humorous, compassionate, and profane manual.