Books for the Ones Who Are Done Shrinking, Numbing, and Pretending to Be Fine

These are not self-help books that tell you to “think positive” or “manifest harder.” These are mirrors, compassion, and sometimes a well-placed slap of truth—wrapped in wit, depth, and psychological clarity.

Alexandra Gulbis, LCSW, ABS, brings her years of clinical experience and lived grit to the page with three soul-shaking guides for the quietly exhausted, the invisibly burned out, and the beautifully complicated.

Whether you’re untangling your people-pleasing reflex, grappling with the shame of envy, or learning how to stop disappearing in your own life—there’s a book here for you:

📘 Shorelines and Shadows is a battle cry for the quietly exhausted—those who've spent years shrinking themselves into versions they hope the world can tolerate. This is your invitation to step into visibility without apology and reclaim the space you were taught to tiptoe around. Available on Amazon.

🌊 Waves and Walls redefines boundaries not as walls, but as radical acts of self-respect. Through oceanic metaphors and unapologetic truth, it offers you the tools to stop people-pleasing, start choosing yourself, and disappoint all the right people—joyfully. Available on Amazon.

🧠 Taming the Green Gremlin dives into envy and jealousy with brutal honesty and generous humor. You’ll stop pretending you’re “above it” and learn how these messy, unglamorous emotions can be portals to self-discovery and reclaiming joy. Available August 10 on Amazon.

These books are not about fixing yourself. They’re about finally seeing that you were never broken—just brilliant, buried under years of conditioning. Read them if you're ready to stop ghosting your own life.