Last week at Target (@ 9am on a Tuesday – still one of my favorite parts about my new flexible-work lifestyle!) I bought this book.

Rachel Hollis has seen it too often: women not living into their full potential. They feel a tugging on their hearts for something more, but they’re afraid of embarrassment, of falling short of perfection, of not being enough.

In Girl, Stop Apologizing, #1 New York Times bestselling author and founder of a multimillion-dollar media company, Rachel Hollis sounds a wake-up call. She knows that many women have been taught to define themselves in light of other people—whether as wife, mother, daughter, or employee—instead of learning how to own who they are and what they want. With a challenge to women everywhere to stop talking themselves out of their dreams, Hollis identifies the excuses to let go of, the behaviors to adopt, and the skills to acquire on the path to growth, confidence, and believing in yourself.

If you don’t live near a Target, or have the luxury of visiting it at 9 am on a Tuesday, it is also available on Amazon: HERE.

I didn’t think I needed it. After all, I am a pretty confident human being, a confident woman. I do not feel shame for chasing my dreams and choosing an unconventional working lifestyle. I have achieved my dream – leaving the practical and stable day job to pursue a career of my dreams. I set goals, both failing and achieving in equal measure, and (here’s the important part) I keep going.

I believe that my children, who are tugged along through a chaotic life filled with calendar items placed there by both of their parents’ dreams, will be better for it. I believe that seeing their parents hustle and dream and work and care deeply (not only for them, but also for ourselves and our dreams) will teach them more about life than if my husband and I were to fully devote ourselves only to their care and well-being.

So, I’ll say it again. I didn’t think I needed this book. But I kinda wanted it. It was early in the month and I still had fun money accessible, and so, like Ariana Grande says, “I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it.”

And I was right. I didn’t need the book the way some people might… as a gentle push toward being courageous. As a strong nudge toward pursuing their dreams. But as I read it I realized I needed it in a different way. (Aren’t books amazing that way? Delivering a unique message for each and every reader?)

I didn’t need this book as a self-help guide, I needed it as an affirmation. I didn’t need it to be told, Girl, stop apologizing for wanting more. What I was delighted to hear in Rachel’s honest straight forward tone is Girl, keep going. You are on the right track and doing good things. It was validating to hear the message, This journey you are taking might seem crazy to some, but who cares what they think?! You deserve this and if you want it, continue to get it. And more.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book.

Girl, Stop Apologizing was like hanging out with a good friend, fun, valuable and good for the soul. For me this book was a little pick-me up in the month of March… a firecracker under my own ass that propelled me to work harder, dream bigger and keep the faith. If you are looking for any of those things in your life, whether personal or professional, I highly recommend picking up your own copy. (Trust me when I say you’ll want to own it, because my copy is full of underlines and hearts and I hear they frown upon that kind of thing with books you borrow from the library.)

Happy reading and happy dreaming,

<3,

Amanda

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