On My Own: The Art of Being A Woman Alone

By Florence Falk
Published by Three Rivers Press
March 2008;$13.95US/$15.95CAN; 978-1-4000-9811-8

To be fully free, every woman must learn to be by herself

At some point over the course of the average American woman's life, she will find herself alone, whether she is divorced, widowed, single, or in a loveless, isolating relationship. And when that time comes, it is likely that she will be at a loss as to how to handle it. As a society, we have an unspoken but omnipresent belief that a woman alone is an outcast, inherently flawed in some way. In this invigorating, supportive book, psychotherapist Florence Falk aims to take the fear, doubt, confusion, and helplessness out of being a woman alone. Falk invites all women to find their own paths toward an authentic selfhood, to discover the pleasures and riches of solitude, and to reconnect with others through a newfound sense of self-confidence.

And as Falk demonstrates, once a woman has discovered the richness of solitude, she is not likely to give it up so easily.

Reviews
"On My Own looks at the joy, pain, and necessity of living solo in a society that still views unattached women as spinsters and old maids . . . An engaging read, [it] empowers more than it prescribes . . . the ideas here are important and Falk presents them with a comforting combination of analysis and empathy."
--Body & Soul

"[Falk] argues that solitude can be an empowering force -- one that doesn't supplant relationships; it enriches them. Autonomy unleashes creativity and purpose, and a woman discovers her true self."
--The Mercury News

"Fascinating . . . [Falk] demonstrates the riches and creativity that can emerge."
--Today's Diet & Nutrition

"Falk offers plenty of material to help [women] . . . appreciate the healing and nurturing benefits of solitude."
--Publishers Weekly

"Florence Falk's On My Own is a provocative, smart read for any woman who is alone, wants to be alone, or is figuring out how to be alone. An empowering, emotionally honest book that is long overdue."
--Amy Sohn, author of Run Catch Kiss and My Old Man

"In On My Own Florence Falk bravely and soulfully invites women to reimagine aloneness -- to see it as a gift rather than a failure. Her book is a call to wholeness, independence, and empowerment."
--Eve Ensler, Author of The Vagina Monologues

"Finally, an insightful and powerful book that guides us towards inner freedom that is possible when we befriend aloneness. This is for all women, single or not: The stories and practical guidance offered in this book teach us about living and loving fully."
--Tara Brach, Buddhist teacher and author of Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha

Author Bio
Florence Falk is a writer and teacher, and has been a psychotherapist in a private practice for more than twenty years. She gives lectures and leads workshops across the country. Visit her at FlorenceFalk.com.