It has been a long time since I have written a book review or report but after reading this one by Joanna Gaines, I felt compelled to write an honest review. The timeliness with International Women’s Day just happened to coincide but is so appropriate for this one and the message.

First, I want to clarify that if you are looking for an autobiography about Joanna, that is not this book. She explains that right upfront and it was intriguing to me because I wondered how she could write such a vulnerable book without it being a complete autobiography about her rise to fame and how she came to be known as one of America’s favorite designers. But as I continued to read each chapter, I realized that she does give you a peek into who she is but not as part of the famous duo we all know and love from Fixer Upper but as a woman trying to find her way as a wife, mother, working professional and entrepreneur.

Each chapter of this book explores a different theme and so many of them resonated with me and felt so relatable as we evaluate our own lives. For Joanna, she started writing this book as she saw her mid-40’s approaching but also felt the weight of impending change with her first son heading off to college. I can absolutely relate to the mixed emotions around letting your kids go and find their way in the world as young adults but also what your new role as their mom looks like in this new transition period. I think this time in her life forced her to stop and really process not only those emotions but how she wanted to change the trajectory of her own story as a result.

Themes like trying to take control, living safely in a comfort zone, stopping to look up from daily life and embracing the little moments all really hit home for me. What makes this book so relatable for women of all ages and stages of life is that I think we can all take Joanna’s story and translate that into what our own story looks like. Interestingly enough, she went through the exercise of writing her story in her early 20’s during another critical time in her life. She reflects back on how different parts of her life, including childhood experiences, early career aspirations, the newlywed stage and ultimately motherhood all shaped her story into what it is now and helped her reflect on the parts of that she wants to take with her into the next phase of life and what she wants to change.

I’ve read several great self-help and motivational books over the years but the best way I would describe this book is self-discovery. From what I have read and heard, Joanna Gaines, despite her notoriety, is one of the most private people in real life, but in this book, she gives you bits and pieces of her soul and really challenges you to look at your own story. How will you write or change it as you look at the rest of your life or even ahead to the next ten years? I found myself really sitting and pondering after each chapter, reflecting on my own experiences but also areas where we are a lot alike and I find the same need for change that she does.

This is not a book that is a quick and easy read because I really wanted to take each chapter and fully understand and process it. I broke it down and tried to read a chapter at a time to so I could really think about her words and intentions. To be honest, I will probably go back and re-read certain parts of it that really hit home. To say I would recommend this book is an understatement. I would definitely pick it up and really take the time to digest it. You will be amazed at some of the feelings it stirs up. Happy Reading Friends!