I have written the line “this book literally changed my life” about 10x but I keep deleting it because it sounds like too cheesy of an opening for a blog post. It sounds even cheesier when said book is also found in the “self-help” section of Chapters. But it’s true. This book has literally changed my life, and it still is changing my life even though I’ve been finished reading it for a month.

The best part of this book, is even though it seems like a fluffy, common sense topic, it’s not at all. It’s based on over 15 years of research and it’s LIFE CHANGING. It’s been brought up a few times that I should have shares in her book sales because of how much I’ve raved about it, but it’s a book I sincerely believe EVERY single person should read because EVER single person can benefit from it.  (If you aren’t a reader, I’ve also included her TED talks below! It covers the jist of her book!)

For as long as I can remember, my main strive in life was to perfect myself. To have no flaws. Or to make it so the only flaws I did have were cute endearing ones. I thought it would make me happy. I thought it would make people like me. I thought it was something worth striving for.

IT’S NOT.

“You either walk inside your story and OWN it, or walk outside of it and hustle for your worthiness.” Brene Brown

I was the one who wanted to be SuperMom, who had meltdowns whenever I failed, who has never felt so unhappy in my entire life and who lived in fear of not being liked. The fear of not being good enough almost consumed me.

Adding another child into our family broke me. I couldn’t be perfect. Two kids is a game changer for any family. It changes the entire dynamic. My struggles to build a “perfect” life had been broken WIDE open with the birth of our daughter, and it left me searching for a more meaningful life….because I was left always thinking “this can’t be it.”

Right around the time I was feeling my lowest, a close friend going through a similar struggle sent me Brene Browns TED talk.

“If you aren’t also in the arena getting your ass kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback.”

I fell in love with her and wanted her to be my best friend. I then went on to watch every single video she has ever put out there, and every single blog post. When I saw she had a  book I knew I HAD TO HAVE IT.

My amazing brother got me the book for Christmas and I dove right in. I got so panicked and uncomfortable by the introduction to the book that I had to walk away and read it again a few days later. It challenged me in ways I never had been before. And it still does.

It’s made me realize striving to be perfect is the fastest way to an unhappy life. The fastest way to a life of being NEVER good enough. The fastest way to be someone other than ourselves. The biggest obstacle in building meaningful relationships, and the biggest obstacle to success. It has never been more freeing to realize I am good enough, and that being me and that to dare greatly, all that I needed to do was to have the courage to show up in my life everyday and simply be seen. Let my armour down and just be me.

Before giving away the ENTIRE book, and writing a novel of my own about the life-changingness that happened….I will leave you with a few of my favourite quotes that are now printed off and posted around my house as daily reminders to live more authentically, and the power of being vulnerable. The power of SHOWING UP and simply BEING SEEN.The imprtance of DARING GREATLY.

“There is no emotion harder to feel than joy, because we are so afraid it won’t last.”

“Daring Greatly means the courage to be vulnerable. It means to show up and be seen. To ask for what you need. To talk about how you’re feeling. To have the hard conversations.”

“The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows.”

“There is no innovation and creativity without failure. PERIOD.”

And my favourite for marriages, and any relationship for that matter:

“A connection is the energy that exists between two people when they feel seen, heard and valued; when they an give and receive without judgement; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”

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