Many of us live our lives on autopilot, repeating the same actions and thoughts. These habits feel comfortable and familiar, so we stick with them. But if we want to change, we must make a real, lasting effort to break these patterns. Jeffrey E. Young and Janet S. Klosko believe in the ability of individuals to undergo profound changes. Some people think that our childhood or genes fix our personality and that we can't change as adults. But this isn't true. We see people change considerably every day.

Changing ingrained habits is challenging. Our innate temperament and early life experiences can make us resistant to change. However, a complicated past does not prevent us from changing; it might just require more effort and support. Are you caught in repetitive negative patterns? Do you feel weighed down by poor decisions and intense emotions from your childhood? If this resonates with you, you may be stuck in a *lifetrap*.

Through careful observation, Jeffrey Young identified a shared element among the individuals who hadn’t reached well-being. These patients were entangled in recurrent cycles of self-destructive behavior rooted in childhood traumas. It became evident that they were stuck in lifetraps.

There are 11 fundamental lifetraps that individuals commonly deal with. However, the primary focus should be on seven actionable steps to break free from these lifetraps. Escaping a lifetrap can be challenging. While this summary offers valuable information to guide you in breaking free from your lifetrap, the book may give you more thorough explanations and illustrative examples. Alternatively, you may consider seeking the help of a therapist for a safe and supportive journey toward overcoming your lifetraps.