A Guide to Loving Yourself and Living Your Dreams

This book is neither radical nor especially original. It is divided into three sections: Loving Yourself, Loving Others (friends, romance and sex) and Daily Magic (manifesting, style and manners for the "modern minx". Written in a breezy, chatty style, it is most likely to appeal to younger people. The tips range from valid (clear out clutter, put down the cell phone.) to silly (a cab driver's suggestion to make a sex date) coverage is broad and largely superficial. there are black and white graphics and homework sections that repeat and reinforce the chapter concepts. She gushes about tapping (EFT) and directs readers to her website. EFT is effective and easy to do. This information is available free on line. It is an easy read not unlike reading a bunch of blog posts or magazine articles. generally unobjectionable, it lacks the depth to make it a meaningful guide.

I admit, I was very much looking forward to receiving this book, and kind of disappointed once I'd read it. It feels very much geared toward the 30-something ladies, which I am not. I honestly didn't read anything I've not read elsewhere before, so there wasn't a lot of original content.. with the exception of the "tapping"... yes, tap your problems away. Eating disorder? Tap! Physical ailments? Tap! Sounds unique -- but the author drops the ball completely and doesn't explain anything about the technique of the "tapping" she is so adamant about. Most topics are old and re-hashed, such as "You get back what you give" or "Positive thoughts are more powerful than negative thoughts". Yawwwnnn. Anyone who's ever watched Oprah has heard all of this before. Overall, very disappointing. I'd rather borrow it from the library than spend good money on it.

The description had me saying yes, yes, and yes... We usually know what we want in life; the good stuff... but it's how to get there is the problem. It's never too late to learn life lessons about love, especially self love, because we're going to be stuck with ourselves until the end of time. I also felt like I would relate well to the author because she's unique and there she is with a big beaming smile on the back cover. Who doesn't want to be that happy?

First thing I did was turn it to a random page, which I always do for books that aren't a story that must be read front to back. That page spoke to me strongly and I knew I had made the right choice with this book. With confidence I went back to the beginning and dove in, reading front to back over the course of a few days.

I really love the subjects that Gala Darling touches upon. I also felt it was appropriate for young and young at heart adult women. I suppose I'm leaning more to the latter now without realizing it. The little doodles and drawings are a welcomed and uplifting break from the text. The imagination incorporated is another affirmation that I chose a like-minded author that I could really lean upon and look to like a friend or a sister who has the wisdom of an elder. The book is a very manageable length; not too long to be intimidating, but still full of insight and positive directives. Of course some of the information may not apply (ie: advice for partnered vs. single, or for different age groups) but it never focuses on one type of person so everyone can get insight from what she has to say. The advice she gives is realistic and makes me smile too! This book is full of smiles and "feel good" but it doesn't just shine it's light on you, it lights a fire within you to keep shining within through the practical advice and insights.

I really enjoyed this book and if you're an adult female looking to learn some of the lessons in self love and self esteem that may have passed by in younger years, it's never too late. I think this one was worth the read.

Some helpful advice, like positive thinking homework and changing things you're doing to live the life you want to get the life you're dreaming of, which can really be beneficial, lots of really helpful advice here that I have been able to implement to my daily living and I've already noticed positive changes, but also a lot of recycled concepts here that I've read in plenty of places before, which is why 4 instead of 5 stars. They're all still plenty helpful so still a great read for anyone who hasn't read a bunch of these books. I really enjoyed learning all of the newer homework tricks and putting them to use though, especially helpful about decluttering the past and getting rid of things! It seems so simple but it really is empowering and feels great and allows you to finally move on when you release exes things and stop talking about the past and saying old names, already I notice my interest coming around a LOT more, and I've known him twenty years, hopefully this is finally our time and he sees I'm changing for the best!

Radical Self-Love: A Guide to Loving Yourself and Living Your Dreams by Gala Darling is a wonderfully amazing book on falling in love with ourselves. It is broken up into three parts called, “loving yourself”, “loving others”, and “daily magic”.
One way we learn to have radical self-love (I love that title by the way) is to take ourselves on a date. While not a new one, it’s a splendid one, I plan on doing so tonight by giving myself a long overdue bubble bath after everyone is asleep.

I really enjoyed this book. We are given plenty of activities and ideas to start to love ourselves. We are even shown how out style expresses who we are and relates to our self-love. I especially enjoyed that chapter as I found it fun and entertaining.

I recommend this book to every woman out there. We could all use more “radical self-love”.

I acknowledge that I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

There are some books out there that I genuinely believe should be read by everyone.

This book is one of them.

Gala Darling doesn't just talk about self-esteem ... she talks about the importance of self-love. This is the ultimate in self-care, and she just just talk platitudes. Darling provides practical "homework assignments" to get readers thinking about how they talk to themselves, treat themselves, etc. Short version: most of us aren't very good at it. Darling starts with her own experiences and how she went from living with an eating disorder to becoming a guru of radical self-love, and brings us along on the journey.

The primary message is one that should be self-evident, but really isn't: we must love ourselves first, in the same way (if not better) than we love our friends, in order to truly love anyone else. The message is brought through clearly in an entertaining, charming, and yes ... loving fashion. Delightful.

I received this product for free for my unbiased and honest opinion. I was not paid for this. I did enjoy reading this book. I find that most of the book I was familiar with. I found though some new ideas I think I will attempt to incorporate in my life. I also think I will have my son read this book to get ideas on positivity, finding and keeping friendships and the most important idea of all radical self love. I agree aagreewith surrounding yourself with positive people also.

When I first picked up “Radical Self-Love,” I thought “yeah, no, this probably isn't my thing.” But less than five pages in I was hooked. Darling has an exuberant, confident style; reading her is like talking to a highly charismatic new friend!
While Darling often uses the word “magical,” this isn't a book of spells; it's simply about seeing the magic and beauty in ourselves and in life. Some of the techniques, such as tapping, might raise eyebrows; however, there is a lot of plain common sense that even the most skeptical reader can benefit from. Darling has a way of phrasing this common sense that really makes it stick. For example, she describes trying to love a romantic partner who doesn't love him/herself as being “like playing tennis with a hand grenade.”
While the book advocates self-love, it certainly doesn't promote coddling. Darling is refreshingly willing to hold herself and her readers responsible for actions and attitudes. She tries to shake us out of the mindset that we have no control, and therefore no responsibility, in our lives. She points out behavior patterns and how we can break free of them. She does, of course, add that we are NOT responsible for abuse that may have happened to us.
Personally, I had a lot of “ah-ha” moments while I read the book; a lot of Darling's advice seemed obvious in hindsight but hadn't occurred to me before. Other pieces of advice made me think more deeply about wisdom and life lessons that were already a part of my life. While I haven't done the exercises or gone to the website yet (and no, I haven't tried tapping – yet), I look forward to doing so! The ideas in “Radical Self-Love” were interesting and thought-provoking, even the ones I didn't agree with, and so the book alone has enriched my life. I highly recommend it!

Gala writes about loving yourself in such a way that isn't irritating or brash. I learned so much from this book and continue to pick it up and read passages when I am feeling out of sorts. I have had love addiction and not to myself...for years. It takes consistent feeding of positivity to change one's personal internal outlook.

As a body positive person I loved reading this book on how to be more self loving. There were specific and easy goals and idea to work towards. Great for those just starting out on the self-love journey!

This new self-hep guide directed toward women is one that is written in a witty, personal, and irreverent style by the author. Gala even explains in the book how she renamed herself "Gala Darling" as part of her recreation of herself into someone with more self-love and self-assurance. The book is kind of like a Cosmo meets all the popular spiritual teachers you would find on Oprah. Think the Law of Attraction combined with the Power of Now and A Course in Miracles. That combined with lots of practical tips on clearing out self-limiting habits and beliefs and building a positive mindset and social charisma. If you are insecure and self-loathing then this book can help you change your mental patterns and daily routines to support becoming the person that you would truly love to be. The book is a fairly quick read and doesn't present anything that novel if you are already familiar with the new age/spiritual self-help genre. It seems ideal for young women who wish to be exposed to a more spiritual mindset and to break free of old self-defeating thoughts and superficial living. Having read many books in a similar vein I figured someone would publish something on "radical" self-love - and here it is. I will perhaps put this on my book shelf next to "Radical Forgiveness," "Radical Self-Forgiveness," and "Radical Healing."

I admit, I was very much looking forward to receiving this book, and kind of disappointed once I'd read it. It feels very much geared toward the 30-something ladies, which I am not. I honestly didn't read anything I've not read elsewhere before, so there wasn't a lot of original content.. with the exception of the "tapping"... yes, tap your problems away. Eating disorder? Tap! Physical ailments? Tap! Sounds unique -- but the author drops the ball completely and doesn't explain anything about the technique of the "tapping" she is so adamant about. Most topics are old and re-hashed, such as "You get back what you give" or "Positive thoughts are more powerful than negative thoughts". Yawwwnnn. Anyone who's ever watched Oprah has heard all of this before. Overall, very disappointing. I'd rather borrow it from the library than spend good money on it.