Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Hardcover – February 6, 2018

Right from the beginning of the introduction it grabbed me!“You, and only you, are ultimately responsible for who you become and how happy you are.”Guys how powerful is that?!?So the basic premise of the book is Rachel addressing 20 lies that have been instrumental in her life. At the end of each chapter, she discusses three specific, tangible ways she addressed that lie. The overall goal is to teach you self-awareness to identify the lies you tell yourself and to target those head on. Although I did not identify with each and every lie during this season of my life, I got a little something out of every chapter. I can totally see myself re-reading this book once or twice a year and gaining something new every time.At first I was afraid that because I don’t have children I wouldn’t get anything from the book, but that is totally not true! Yes, Rachel talks about her children and being a mother but that’s not what the book is about. This book came along at the perfect time in my life to slap me in the face and light a fire under my butt. Seriously, I needed motivation some kind of bad and this book was life changing for me. I also loved that Rachel dropped in little religious tidbits. It wasn’t necessarily a “Christian book” but had just enough in there to let me know Jesus sent this book my way.Rachel is real and raw and in your face but at this season in my life that’s what I needed. Don’t pick it up if you’re passive about making some changes. Or maybe do pick it up and it’ll slap you around like it did me. Either way every woman needs this book whether you’re 18 or 80 there truly is something for everyone.Top three things I learned from this book:1. Stop making and keeping promises to everyone else and start keeping promises to your own dang self!2. No one decides how big your dreams can be but YOU. Also write down your goals and speak them aloud3. Gods has perfect timing.4. Ok one more because I can’t narrow it down to three – EMBRACE THE CHAOS AND LOVE THE LIFE YOU ARE LIVING, RIGHT NOW, TODAY!I could sit here and quote this whole book because it’s that good but because I want you to go out and buy it for yourself, I’m going to leave you with some of my favorite quotes/advice/“You must choose to be happy, grateful and fulfilled. If you make that choice every single day, regardless of where you are or what’s happening, you will be happy.”“You are in charge of your own life, and there’s not one thing in it that you’re not allowing to be there.”“Nobody – not a voice of authority, not your mama, not the foremost expert in your arena – gets to tell you how big your dreams can be. They can talk all they want…but you get to decide if you’re willing to listen to them”“Your dream is worth fighting for, and while you’re not in control of what life throws at you, you are in control of the fight.”“Nothing that lasts is accomplished quickly. Nobody’s entire legacy is based on a single moment, but rather the collection of one’s experiences. If you’re lucky, your legacy will be a lifetime in the making.”“Pretty good is way better than trying to fake perfection any day of the week.”“God has perfect timing. Maybe that goal wasn’t ever meant to be yours. Maybe you have to walk through this space that you’re in to be ready for that. Nothing is wasted. Every single moment is preparing you for the next.”“Someone else’s opinion of you is none of your business.”“Don’t hide your light under a bushel because you’re too afraid someone won’t like the glare.”Okay I’m going to stop now because seriously there’s just too much good stuff in this book! Go pick it up for yourself! Borrow it from the library if you have to. Several chapters from the audiobook are listed on Rachel’s podcast, Rise, which is also awesome all by itself.Instagram @mrsrachelhollisWebsite: thechicsite.comPodcast: Rise by Rachel Hollis

What an uplifting read. Rachel’s infectious energy, tell-it-like-it-is, vulnerable, upbeat attitude gives this book life. For too long this society has shoved down women’s throats [in more ways than one] how we are expected to think, dress, act, walk, talk; what we’re supposed to look like, who we’re supposed to talk to, what we’re supposed to eat, what careers we’re supposed to have or not have, who we’re supposed to date, how to parent, etc. Rachel single-handedly breaks down these barriers by telling her raw, natural, real truth. My only critique would be her frequent references to Christianity. If that’s how she has been able to successfully navigate through this brutal thing we call life, then more power to her! I’m a die hard Catholic girl, myself. But if we’re preaching about touching the souls of women from all walks of life, I think it’s important to be mindful that not all are going to feel empowered or connected in that way. Some may actually feel the opposite.Regardless; the world needs more people like Rachel Hollis. Women empowering other women. Teaching us not to be afraid to look inside ourselves, and dissect our innermost workings. The good, the bad, and the hideously ugly.I had an earth-shifting moment about halfway through this book. As a 28 year old, which a masters degree in Social Work, and a full-time government job, I had a pain-stakingly uncomfortable realization. I don’t have any real goals. Sure, there are trajectories in which I would like to see my career go, all of which feel hopelessly unattainable. (I will argue with anyone who wants to go toe-to-toe, that social work is undoubtedly the most unforgiving, thankless career imaginable.) Those stories Rachel was telling about foster care and the broken system? They’re more real than you can possibly imagine. And we live it every day. In fact, it pays our bills. (Except not.) But of course, that’s not why we do it. My “life goals” at this point are to be married, buy a house in the country, and start a family. NONE of which I can control, no matter how hard I try. So, I need to find something I can control.Rachel is right. You have to dig down deep and relight the flame that went out however many years ago for whatever reason. She has reminded me that I’m too young to feel as though the world is closing in. I can’t wait to read “Girl, Wash Your Face!” and attend her conferences! I truly hope to meet her one day. I would love nothing more than to join a powerful team of women (and men) empowering other women (and men)!