A radical exploration of guilt—what it is, why women feel it so excessively, and how we can reclaim our agency

Women are consumed by guilt. Whether in parenthood, relationships, our careers, or identity, we are powerfully socialized to feel as if we're not doing enough, not caring enough, or are simply not enough. Over time, guilt becomes the driver for everything we do, from the roles we take on in our homes to the opportunities we pursue. How do we lessen guilt’s debilitating influence on our lives?

For over a decade, psychiatrist Jennifer Reid, MD has asked herself this very question. Witnessing otherwise highly functional and compassionate women walk through her practice crippled by guilt, she realized there is often a mismatch between one's expectations and perceived reality. This gap is where guilt resides—and is ultimately the key to freeing us from its grip.

In Guilt, Dr. Reid unpacks why this otherwise adaptive emotion disproportionally affects so many women, tracing the unreasonable expectations society, others, and we ourselves uphold that skew our perception of our capabilities. Inviting us to peel back the layers of these impulses, she shows how you can start making choices based on what you want and need, not what you think we should be doing.

The result is a guide to moving from guilt to agency, from staying small to living on your own terms.