Meet Alejandro: Learning to Work With Himself Again
When the Right Book Shows Up at the Right Time
At Lay It Flat, we’ve always believed books aren’t just words on a page. They’re guides, reminders, sometimes even a lifeline. The right book, appearing at the right time, can alter how you perceive yourself.
That’s precisely what happened with Alejandro. His review of The Self-Esteem Workbook stopped us in our tracks. He wrote:
“This workbook has given me the tools to have a fresh start for myself. I am healing, and I am starting to be happy again.”
It is not a flashy story. It is not about overnight success. It is about a regular guy who has been carrying a lot of self-doubt, and how one book helped him finally start losing that weight.
Meet Alejandro
Alejandro is 48 and lives in San Antonio, Texas. He works in facilities management at a hospital, which basically means that if something breaks, clogs, or leaks, Alejandro is the guy who gets the call. People at work describe him as steady and dependable.
But what they do not see is the quiet second-guessing that runs in the background of almost everything he does. If he made a mistake, even a small one, he would replay it repeatedly. He often told himself others were smarter, more capable, more deserving. It is the kind of self-talk that wears you down gradually.
His son, Mateo, now lives out of state. They talk on the phone, but Alejandro feels the distance. With no kid at home to keep him busy, the silence left a lot of space for that critical voice in his head to get even louder.
The Breaking Point
One moment really stuck with him. He was in a staff meeting, asked to give his input on a new workflow system. He knew the system better than anyone, but as soon as he started talking, his hands shook, his throat tightened, and his mind filled with "You are not good enough" on repeat.
A coworker told him afterward, "You did fine." But Alejandro did not feel fine. Driving home that night, he thought, I cannot keep living like this.
Finding the Right Tool
Like a lot of us, Alejandro turned to the internet. He read articles, watched some videos, and even looked up local therapists. But what caught his eye was The Self-Esteem Workbook by Glenn Schiraldi.
Two things sold him. People said it was practical with real exercises, not just theory. And two, he saw we offered it spiral-bound. That mattered more than he expected. He did not want a book he would fight to keep open. He wanted something that would sit flat on the table while he wrote things out.
"This is not a book you just read once and shelve," he told us. "I wanted something I could actually use. The spiral binding made it possible."
Getting Started
When the book arrived, Alejandro sat down with it and a cup of coffee. He flipped through and saw the exercises, prompts, reflections, and lists. It felt doable, but also a little intimidating.
He promised himself one thing: just five minutes a day. No pressure to finish it quickly. Just a steady pace.
At first, even simple exercises like "list your strengths this week" felt impossible. He would stare at the page, maybe jot down one thing. But slowly, he began to notice the small wins. Assisting a coworker in resolving a scheduling conflict. Sticking with his evening walks. Giving thoughtful advice to Mateo over the phone.
The First Breakthroughs
The real test came in another staff meeting. Same nerves, same setup. But this time, Alejandro paused, took a breath, and remembered something he had underlined in the workbook: Mistakes do not define your worth.
He still stumbled here and there, but afterward, he did not spiral. That was new.
Another moment came with his son. Mateo called about a job opportunity and asked for his dad’s advice. Normally, Alejandro would have thought, Who am I to give career advice? But instead, he listened, shared his thoughts, and Mateo said, "Thanks, Dad, that really helps."
That little thank-you stuck with him. His voice mattered after all.
Where He Is Now
It has been a few months, and Alejandro says the changes feel subtle but steady. He no longer avoids speaking up at work. His evening walks have turned into a moving meditation. And his phone calls with Mateo feel deeper and more encouraging.
"I am healing," he told us. "And I am starting to be happy again."
What He Would Tell Someone Else
Alejandro is quick to say he is still learning. But here is what he would share with anyone curious about the workbook:
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Start small. "Five minutes a day is better than nothing."
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Be honest. "The exercises only work if you tell the truth on the page."
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Notice the little things. "Those small wins build into bigger ones."
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Make it easy on yourself. "The spiral binding seems minor, but it made me keep coming back."
Your Turn
Alejandro’s story is proof that change does not have to be loud to make a difference. Sometimes it starts with a quiet decision: I am going to treat myself with a little more kindness.
If you are ready to do the same, The Self-Esteem Workbook is a great place to start. And yes, our spiral-bound edition will stay open on the table while you work.
You do not have to rush. Just start.
