Untamed by Glennon Doyle was recommended by a friend who mentioned that I would love it. She also knew the short chapters would be captivating as she knows my attention span. This is in no way a book review. I just wanted to share a few snippets from the book that sat well with my soul.
The book is about the part of Glennon’s life where she felt like she was coming into her true self. She takes us on the journey through her past and current life, where she identifies significant experiences that affected her and allowed her to unlock piece by piece the life that she ultimately felt like she should be living. The good, the bad and the ugly. Isn’t that the aim of the game…to live our best lives; however that looks to each individual person?
There is a life meant for you…
Glennon tells us about the first time she laid eyes on her now wife, Abby. She describes the thoughts that were going through her head all at once that basically ended with – this was her person. And although I would love to walk into a room and identify the person of my dreams, who by the way is still a stranger, this isn’t the part that gave me the feels. She tells us what the truth inside her was saying:
“ There is a life meant for you truer than the one you’re living. But in order to have it , you will have to forge it yourself. You will have to create on the outside what you are imagining on the inside. Only you can bring it forth. And it will cost you everything.”
I feel like this is such a powerful thing to say because it speaks of the power that each one of us has inside of us to change our own lives, determine our own destiny, and go for that best life. But it also identifies that there can be a significant amount of fear attached to going and getting what’s ours. I say fear because, for me, I always think about what I am going to or could lose by going all in. Glennon makes sure to add that sweet part “it will cost you everything” to remind us that it’s not always an easy journey to find our true self.
We can do hard things
WE CAN DO HARD THINGS. A sign that Glennon had noticed in her friend’s classroom. It’s her mantra, and now also my mantra. I cannot be the only one that has had to make hard decisions in life. I know I have told myself a million times that there are some things I just cannot do, because it’s too hard for whatever reason. Maybe hard emotionally or mentally, maybe even physically. I have made hard decisions, and they did feel hard, but I am here to live another day. I’ve gotten through them and over them, however, when there is a new decision to make I still get that thought running through my head – “this is too hard.”
This new mantra I have adopted allows me to validate my feelings of it being hard but also empowers me. Here’s the thing…we quickly forget how strong we are and how much stronger we can be. So for me, it’s a nice little reminder.
Being human is hard
Who hasn’t had this thought before? It’s either: being a female is hard, being a mother is hard, being a wife is hard, being single is hard. In general, being human is hard.
“Being human is not hard because you’re doing it wrong, it’s hard because you’re doing it right.”
I have to believe this is true, I feel like each new stage of my life is a new learning experience, and new experiences are sometimes hard. We think that the minute we decide we are going to live towards our best life, everything has to fall in line. It just does not work that way. Overcoming obstacles and making changes in our lives can often feel hard at the time… but I would like to think that through that “hardship” of life, we have to see a rainbow at the end in some way. For this to happen we have to change our perspective on the way we thought life was supposed to be. As Glennon says “you must change your idea that it [life] was ever supposed to be easy.”
Everything I needed to know next was inside the discomfort of now
When we are feeling uncomfortable or hurt or in pain, it can tend to feel like it’s never ending. Like the racing thoughts about how unhappy we are will never stop. Or is that just me? Like most of us, Glennnon explains throughout the book that her addiction and unhealthy coping mechanisms were a means of numbing her feelings. Through her transition to her recovery she discovers that those negative or hard feelings don’t last forever. Instead, when she faced those feelings she often discovered new things about what she wanted for herself.
“Everything I needed to know next was inside the discomfort of now”
Oftentimes when we pay attention to what is actually keeping us in a state of discomfort, we can find the answers to the next step. In moments of unhappiness in my previous life, or moments of just not feeling fulfilled, I had to break down my feelings and thoughts and figure out the alternative. Figuring this out can often lead us to the next step in making changes. Even if that change is unattainable immediately, we can make small steps towards it.
Next time, instead of wishing the uncomfortable feelings go away, start listening and paying attention to yourself and you just might find the answer you are looking for.
The braver I am, the luckier I get
There are so many great snippets of insight in this book. I will leave you with one more that I absolutely loved. “The braver I am, the luckier I get.” This one is plain and simple. Be brave, make the leap, take the risk, do whatever you need to do to find you!
Overall, Untamed by Glennon Doyle was an amazing book to restart my reading journey. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a little reminder of how strong they are or who just needs a boost in confidence.
Have you read this book by Glennon Doyle or any of her other books? I would love to hear your thoughts. Any other book suggestions for me?
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Thanks for sharing these reminders. I especially liked “Everything I needed to know next was in the discomfort of now”
If you’re interested in a delightful and inspiring read, check out Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis.
Hey Mezan,
I will definitely check that book out. Thanks for your recommendation!