Author:  Judith Viorst

Necessary Losses by Judith Viorst is a self-help book that explores how life's inevitable losses—like the loss of childhood innocence, the end of relationships, and the death of loved ones—are essential for personal growth, maturity, and gaining wisdom. Viorst argues that these losses, while painful, lead to deeper perspective and true maturity, and that accepting them is key to a fuller life. The book covers losses from infancy through adulthood, including the loss of illusions and impossible expectations in relationships, and is considered a classic in the self-help genre.