Detach: Ditch Your Baggage to Live a More Fulfilling Life

by Bob Rosen

From a renowned psychologist and businessman, learn a fresh, powerful approach to replacing your unhealthy attachments with positive aspirations to unlock your full potential.

Our lives are guided by our attachments. When they’re healthy, they offer us security, pleasure, and validation. But for many of us, something has gone awry. We’re distracted and sabotaged by these attachments, like control, perfection, or success, which morph into internal conversations that undermine our best selves—ultimately inhibiting our ability to live a full, happy life.

The antidote to the poison of unhealthy attachments? Trading them in for positive aspirations.

Rooted in a blend of Western and Eastern psychology, supported by research, and told through the stories of real people from all walks of life who have overcome their own self-sabotage, Detach walks readers through the ten unhealthy attachments many of us carry, as well as the ten positive aspirations we can use to combat each one of them. Equipped with newfound self-awareness, readers will learn

Improve their health, wellbeing, and quality of life Experience the freedom that accompanies reaching one’s full potential Get rid of their baggage to fully embrace an abundant, meaningful life Trade disappointments for joy, worries for peace, and fear for love Detach is your personal guide for life-altering change, offering a chance to reflect on how you might be standing in the way of your own success—as well as the tools you need to overcome your anxiety and rewrite your story.

Audible Audio

Published April 29, 2025

Reviews

[Epistafi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Чудова книжка, автор розповідає про 10 видів прив'язаності, такі як прив'язаність до юності, досконалості, контролю та розповідає через персональні історії можливі шляхи звільнитися від цих нездорових прив'язаностей. Автор також доволі глибоко обговорює протидії цим прив'язаностям і це прагнення. Прив'язаність до досконалості протидіється прагненням до покращення, що звільнює нас з пастки "завжди бути ідеальним" і дає свободу не полишаючи бажання ставати кращими

[Michele H L · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you consider yourself to be self-aware…. This is a great book for you to read. Many of us believe we are self aware in that we control ourselves, meet expectations, etc. However, understanding what drives us to be workaholics, what character flaws may stem from shortages in trust, where those mistrustful feelings and control issues began, etc.

Rosen discusses why mutual respect, trust, and self awareness are needed for relationships to work.

All POSITIVE here!!!

[Beth Bonness · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fascinated me about Bob’s unique perspective in Detache, was the weaving together of Western and Eastern approaches to life; our Western get-it-done with an Eastern wabi-sabi, not-so-fast attitude.

During our thought echoes podcast conversation, I mentioned to Bob that we couldn’t cover all 10 attachments and offered my top 2: control and perfectionism (a bit of control on my part). He said, “The attachment to control and the attachment to perfection is very common, particularly around businesspeople.”

He explained how from an early age, we’re taught to shape our ecosystem. We learn to influence and maneuver around people in our lives to control situations to feel safe. But then something happens. We “bump into reality because we can’t control a lot of what goes on in our lives, and we hide our vulnerability. So many people get hijacked by control. And the secret is learning how to get in touch with vulnerability. To allow yourself to recognize that you don't control everything. And you let it go.”

The concept of control hijacking our lives and learning how to embrace vulnerability as a way to let go really stuck with me. Simply understanding the different types of control provided a filter to reflect on my upbringing and what may have seeped into my parenting style.

When I finished my interview with Bob, I felt like I’d started a new exercise routine. A mental health exercise routine.
First, you need to learn the new routine. It has 10 exercises. Then you realize your mind (like your body) is different every time you exercise. Sometimes I can only do one full plank pushup; the rest are on my knees. Other times, a weight is too easy, so I increase it a bit. It feels that way going through the checkpoints of the 10 attachments where Bob asks probing questions in each chapter of his book.

1. Attachment to Stability invites us to embrace agility
2. Attachment to the Past invites us to accept and forgive
3. Attachment to the Future invites us to live in the present
4. Attachment to Control invites us to share our vulnerability
5. Attachment to Perfection invites us to befriend our imperfections
6. Attachment to Success invites us to celebrate our achievements
7. Attachment to Pleasure invites us to find peace with life’s ups and downs
8. Attachment to Aging invites us to embrace where we are
9. Attachment to Self invites us to explore belonging and generosity
10. Attachment to Life invites us to welcome gratitude

This may seem formulaic, but it’s like a DIY mental-health check-up. So regardless of how you are attached — to whom or to what. Periodically reflecting and exploring where you might feel a bit stuck or giving up too much mental real-state to, reflecting on Bob’s list of attachments and their anecdotes, might offer you some insights and relief.

I highly recommend Bob's book.

[Hanna Bexley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detach explores ten common types of personal attachments. Drawing from both Western psychology and Eastern wisdom traditions, Bob Rosen unpacks each attachment through real-life personal stories that illustrate the struggle and journey toward letting go.

Each chapter offers not just a diagnosis, but a path forward, pairing each attachment with a healthy aspiration. One of the most memorable for me was the contrast between the attachment to perfection and the aspiration to excellence. The shift that encourages self-compassion while still striving to do your best.

I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by the author himself. His voice is warm and grounded, like an older friend sharing what they've learned through experience. It adds a personal, reflective tone that deepens the message of the book.

Thanks to netgalley.com for providing a free copy.

[Felicia Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful book full of useful information and practical tips. It explains the many different ways you can form attachments to both internal and external forces. These attachments affect us in many different ways and can truly wreak havoc in our lives. I had many ah-ha moments and am fully onboard to start making the necessary changes and habits to detach and start truly living in the present. This book is a handy field guide to living your most authentic self and I will look back at it in the future for myself and to help others. I listened to the audiobook and the author/narrator did a fantastic job. I would like to thank Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for giving me an ARC (which did not sway my opinions or review).

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, informative book with logical information that causes you to reflect and be inspired to make changes. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC opportunity! I will definitely read another book by this author.