Table of Contents
Author's Note xix
Introduction: All About Emotional Detoxes 1
What Do I Mean by Cleanse? 2
Cleansing 101 6
Step 1 Clear Reactivity
Step 2 Look Inward 9
Step 3 Emit 10
Step 4 Activate Joy 11
Step 5 Nourish 12
Step 6 Surrender 13
Step 7 Ease 14
Some Tips for Moving Through the Cleanse Process 15
About Emotions 16
Part I Self & Everyday Life
Cleansing Self-Sabotage 21
Cleansing Avoidance 24
Cleansing Excuses 26
Cleansing Self-Inflicted Pressure 28
Cleansing Inadequacy 30
Cleansing Making Mistakes 32
Cleansing When You Feel You Don't Fit In 34
Cleansing When You Hear Yourself Saying, "Yeah … Yeah …" 36
Cleansing Insecurity 38
Cleansing Feeling Tricked or Misled 40
Cleansing for Self-Forgiveness 42
Cleansing Procrastination 45
Cleansing Impoliteness 47
Cleansing Rushing 49
Cleansing for Moodiness 51
Cleansing Regret 53
Cleansing Intimidation 55
Cleansing Powerlessness 57
Cleansing Holding a Grudge 59
Cleansing Sadness 61
Cleansing Poor Self-Esteem 63
Cleansing Negative Self-Image 65
Cleansing Misdirected Ego 67
Cleansing Lack of Purpose 69
Cleansing Feeling Blocked 71
Part II Love & Relationships
Cleansing When You Feel Alone 75
Cleansing Fear of Getting Hurt 77
Cleansing Rejection 79
Cleansing Conflict Around Money 81
Cleansing Judgment 83
Cleansing Jealousy 85
Cleansing Secrets 87
Cleansing Deflection 89
Cleansing Blame 91
Cleansing Defensiveness 93
Cleansing Negativity 95
Cleansing Withdrawing 97
Cleansing Abandonment 99
Cleansing Disconnection 102
Cleansing Distrust 104
Cleansing After an Argument 106
Cleansing Enabling 108
Cleansing Infidelity 110
Cleansing Your Relationship with Your Children 112
Cleansing Your Relationship with Other Family Members 115
Cleansing Diminishment 118
Cleansing When You Miss Your Significant Other 120
Cleansing When You Feel Unappreciated 122
Cleansing Self-Consciousness 124
Cleansing When You Have Little Time for Others 126
Part III Family & Home Life
Cleansing Family Get-Togethers 131
Cleansing Travel 134
Cleansing Paying Bills 136
Cleansing When a Family Member Is Upset 139
Cleansing Hyper-Focusing on Others 141
Cleansing Time 144
Cleansing Homework 146
Cleansing Grief 148
Cleansing Holidays 150
Cleansing Chores 153
Cleansing Put-Downs 155
Cleansing Projection 157
Cleansing Poor Choices 159
Cleansing When You Feel Like You Put in an Unfair Amount of Effort 161
Cleansing Homesickness 164
Cleansing Annoyance 166
Cleansing Political Differences 168
Cleansing Miscommunication 170
Cleansing Overscheduling 172
Cleansing When You Lose Your Pet 175
Cleansing Power Struggles 177
Cleansing When a Family Member Is Struggling 180
Cleansing Codependent Behavior 182
Cleansing Discipline 185
Cleansing Differences of Opinion 187
Part IV Work & Community
Cleansing Fear of Conflict 191
Cleansing Competition 193
Cleansing Lack of Enthusiasm 195
Cleansing Rudeness 197
Cleansing Unemployment or Being Laid Off 199
Cleansing Fear of Public Speaking 201
Cleansing Chaos 203
Cleansing When a Coworker Rubs You the Wrong Way 205
Cleansing Feeling Trapped 207
Cleansing People-Pleasing 209
Cleansing for Boundaries 211
Cleansing Drama 213
Cleansing Disagreements 215
Cleansing Work Itself 217
Cleansing Making a Decision 219
Cleansing Uncertainty 221
Cleansing Working Overtime 223
Cleansing When Someone Does Not Give You Credit for Your Ideas 225
Cleansing Disorganization 227
Cleansing Not Speaking Up 229
Cleansing Goals & Deadlines 231
Cleansing Technology Issues 233
Cleansing When You Feel Like You Are Not Earning Enough Money 235
Cleansing Criticism or Being Reprimanded 237
Cleansing Burnout 239
Part V Health & Well-being
Cleansing a Poor Night's Sleep 243
Cleansing When You Feel a Little Off 245
Cleansing Feeling Undeserving 247
Cleansing Emotional Eating 250
Cleansing External Pressure 252
Cleansing Social Media 254
Cleansing Discomfort with Your Age 256
Cleansing Anxiety 258
Cleansing Addictive Behavior 260
Cleansing Pain 262
Cleansing Transitions 264
Cleansing Expectations 266
Cleansing Fear 268
Cleansing Dread 270
Cleansing Anger and Control 272
Cleansing Disappointment 274
Cleansing Stigma 276
Cleansing Your Immune System 278
Cleansing Perfectionism 280
Cleansing Exhaustion 282
Cleansing Cravings 284
Cleansing Inflammation 286
Cleansing a Tough Diagnosis 288
Cleansing Physical Tension 290
Cleansing Sedentary Behavior 292
VI Crisis & Tragedy
Cleansing Being Overwhelmed by the Suffering of Others 297
Cleansing Helplessness 300
Cleansing Fear of Contracting Illness 302
Cleansing Fear of Death 304
Cleansing Witnessing or Being the Subject of Abuse or Violence 306
Cleansing Global Financial Crisis 309
Cleansing Hatred and Racism 311
Cleansing Extreme Powerlessness 313
Cleansing Inequality and Injustice 315
Cleansing While Waiting for Aid and Support 318
Bonus: Morning Cleanse 321
Notes 323
Acknowledgments 325
Resources and Ways to Connect 327
About the Author 328