Book 21 of 2023
Summary
In a series of short essays Glennon Doyle reveals thoughts on life through her experiences living it. Through her observations of her own she inspires the reader to discover their own observations of life. How do you feel a certain way? Why? In this book Glennon Doyle tackles the societal need to inform women who they are and how they should behave through her own perception. From a young age girls start to receive the information that will shape their perception of themselves with disastrous affects for many. But through unpacking these falsehoods Glennon offers hope to the reader and lights a desire in them to become untamed. To return to who they truly were before everyone else put their expectations onto them of who they should be. By sharing her intimate struggles and motivating moments she shares how you too can be brave, courageous, and free in your realm of the world. Glennon shares how you too can make a big difference on the world just by being you and showing up. It is an incredibly hopeful book that aims at inspiring you to shed all of the expectations and instead bring yourself to the world with your own expectations while accepting nothing less.
Thoughts and Review
This book was not just a book but a thoughtful experience. With each chapter you are immersed not just in Glennon Doyle’s experiences and thoughts but also your own. Your mind can’t help but wander to where her experience is in rhythm with one of your own. Perhaps it comes from a deep desire to find understanding within yourself but also with others. During different stages of my life I find myself feeling lost wondering, “but where now,” and within the pages here is the moment of pause. A moment to collect my own thoughts and attempt to interpret my own life as learning experiences; lessons that need to be understood to move forward. Glennon has achieved great change in her life and in turn can be a figure of inspiration to create rebirth of my own. When she speaks about her movement “Together Rising” you read how little actions can add up in a big way. After reading this I find more belief in the idea that we are more capable than we think we are on the worst of days. We can make a difference in the world. We make a difference in our own world but also the world as a whole. Every single one of us is a complete force of nature capable of great things. “We can do hard things!”
Recommendation
I would recommend this book to any woman who is feeling stuck or unsure of what to do next. Sometimes the answers can be found in our past experiences just waiting to be unpacked. As women we are found to have so many criteria shoved down our throats at all ages as to what we should do, how we should act, and what we should care about. But what about what we think? What about what we want? This book is a great place to find a moment of pause to reflect on your own experiences. Finding places to pause will ripple outwards from you and leave imprints (and perhaps even inspiration) on the young girls and women in your life as well. There is such candid honesty found within the pages of this book that you will find yourself wanting to discover that own honesty with yourself. Although it is a hard and messy journey to embark on it is a priceless one. Happy Reading!