If I’m So Wonderful, Why Am I Still Single? by Susan Page © 1989
Synopsis: Former director of women’s programs at UC Berkeley, Page now conducts singles workshops for both sexes. Men and women who want permanent partners will benefit from her “10 strategies that will change your love life forever,” as set forth in this engaging guide. The advice is illustrated by case histories of Page’s clients, whose progress toward emotional fulfillment is described in their own words. Also detailed are stories of failed relationships and their causes. Each chapter contains an experiment designed to teach readers why they may be losing at love by clinging to partners who won’t commit themselves; rejecting or showing ambivalence to promising mates, etc. The primary lesson to be gleaned here is that choosing a mate for life means knowing yourself first and recognizing a person with similar standards; not settling for less.
Comments: I picked up this book at the used bookstore back home a few weeks ago. It spoke to me because the title pretty much sums up my internal dialogue for the last 20 years. I’ve always heard how ‘sweet…nice…talented…funny’ I am…then the buck stops there. After a while, you gotta ask yourself “If I’m so wonderful, why am I still single?”
It didn’t take me long to get enthralled in the book and before I knew it, I was on chapter 8 (of 12)…but that’s as far as I got. The more I read, the more I started questioning what it is I want out of a relationship, even though I didn’t necessarily go into the book wanting ANYTHING, but maybe some insight into me. It’s hard to explain, because I don’t want to give the impression that the book wasn’t or couldn’t be helpful…to the right person. There were lots of things I enjoyed about the book, especially the little assignments at the end of each chapter. For example:
EXPERIMENT #6
a. On paper, describe your ideal mate. List all the qualities, talents, propensities you’d like him or her to have. “Brainstorm” with yourself. Take your time and include everything. There is no need to be “realistic.” Don’t censor.
b. Now go back over your list and place either an “E’ for essential or a “D” for desirable next to each line.
c. List all the “E” qualities on a separate page in the order of their importance to you.
d. Draw a line under the top5 items on the “E” list.
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