From an award-winning professor at the University of Washington’s School of Business, a guide to turning exhausting relationships into energizing ones, so you can overcome social burnout and build a sustainable, fulfilling social life.

We’re told that this is the lonely century. And while it is true that we’re starved for meaningful connection and relationships, the root of our relationship issues is often misdiagnosed. According to leading researcher and psychologist Ryan Fehr, it is the quality of our relationships—the emotions they stir in us, and the support they offer or withhold—that matters, not the quantity.

It’s Okay to Leave Early unpacks the concept of social burnout that plagues our relationships, and the exhaustion, frustration, and detachment at the heart to it. Fehr then coaches you through the three principles of social sustainability: Principle 1: Do Less, Connect More, Principle 2: Free Your Voice, and Principle 3: Find Your Fuel—so you can build a social life that leaves you feeling genuinely connected to others.

Lastly, you’ll learn how to deal with common burnout hot spots like networking events and conflicts with partners, as well as manage the people who fuel your social burnout most—narcissists, cynics, pessimists, and instigators.

It isn’t easy to cultivate an energizing and joyful social life. Our lives are filled with too many people who ignore us, frustrate us, or try to push us down paths we know aren’t right for us. It’s Okay to Leave Early helps you chart a different course.