The illusion of an ideal life. How to stop chasing an imposed dream and truly become happy.

Irina Dayneko is a practicing psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience. She is also a columnist for the magazine "Snob." What prevents us from being happy? If something bad constantly happens to us or, on the contrary, nothing is happening in our lives, it is not the twists of fate, but our attitudes and views on life that were formed in childhood and youth. They work as filters or blinds. And if these attitudes are not changed, nothing will change. Sometimes one right question can change everything. In her book, a psychotherapist with 20 years of experience allows us to peek into what happens in a therapist's office. The book features 39 unusual but real patients and one candid story of a psychotherapist: - "I endure because I'm afraid of being alone!" - How to overcome the fear of loneliness and build healthy relationships. - "I don't want to do anything at all. Absolutely nothing." - Where does depression come from. - "My son is 30, and he doesn't have a girlfriend." - What total control over children and fear of letting them go can lead to. - "I'm 30 years old, and I don't know what I want to be when I grow up." - Why more and more young people are postponing adulthood. - "Just not like my mom!" - How parents' personal lives can influence their children's choices. - "I won't succeed!" - How the fear of making mistakes hinders our growth and development. - "It's better to be alone." - How to regain trust in people if you have been betrayed. This book is about the search for the meaning of life, parental scripts, a difficult childhood, unrequited love, and self-rejection. It is about people who considered themselves unhappy, found the strength to come for a session, and figure themselves out.