Untamed was my first Glennon Doyle read. I’ve heard her name buzzed in Good Reads and various places such as, ahem, Oprah. Now this book is a Reese Witherspoon choice. So…I was anxious to read this one and the description grabbed my attention.

Blurb

“There is a voice of longing inside every woman. We strive so mightily to be good: good mothers, daughters, partners, employees, citizens, and friends. We believe all this striving will make us feel alive. Instead, it leaves us feeling weary, stuck, overwhelmed, and underwhelmed. We look at our lives, relationships, and world, and wonder: Wasn’t it all supposed to be more beautiful than this? We quickly silence that question, telling ourselves to be grateful. We hide our simmering discontent—even from ourselves. Until we reach our boiling point.”

Untamed did not disappoint in the least. In fact I would say this book is a bit like drinking a Red Bull, if you’re waiting to make a change in your life.

It’s funny because right from the beginning, I was nodding my head and thinking—exactly what I was saying in my first book, especially in chapter 1—such a powerful message that doesn’t get old. Although my message may be similar, it’s not nearly as eloquent.

In addition, Doyle uses fabulous symbols to make her point and those symbols are used throughout the book to drive her message home. For example, she talks about “cages”, “keys”, “permissions slips”, the “Ache” and the “knowing”. They’re the threads that runs through the book, and are introduced in the prologue beginning with an anecdote about a caged tiger.

Doyle has a valuable message for women.

Untamed is more symbolic and philosophical than my book (and I know I have no business comparing myself to Doyle) but essentially, the same message is loud and clear; Until you are honest with yourself, you won’t make the necessary changes to live the life you’re intended for.

Doyle goes ‘deep’, as she refers to it, through meditation to seek her answers to issues, questions or problems in her life. Finding those answers within herself and not from others is her key to self confidence and believing in her authentic self and she advises us to do the same.

Doyle address the issues of gender stereotyping that begin almost at birth; what those entail, how they affected her. Also, how they can misguide us if we are not paying attention to our unique needs. The cage we must ‘make ourselves small to fit into’ are related to these gender roles. On this topic she also gives helpful anecdotes on how to avoid damaging our children with these stereotypical expectations.

Larger issues we are all facing now

In the last half of the book Glennon tackles larger issues that face us; racism, religion, sexual identity, grief and mental health. It sounds like a lot, and it is but Doyle shares her perspective in a neutral and authentic way.

I love how Doyle shares her own stories for examples of her own awakening and ‘untaming’. I enjoyed her style of weaving words that made me think about her message, but not being told what I should do to untame my own self (in case I hadn’t already) wink-wink.

Personal Untaming

I recognized Glennon’s process of awakening. It was similar to what I went through prior to and after ending my marriage. I think if you’re considering making a big change in your life, this book will provide a starting off point for you. But you don’t need a permission slip from her or me to make those changes!

Excerpt:

I’ll forsake all others before I forsake myself. Me and myself: We are till death do us part.

What the world needs is more women who have quit fearing themselves and started trusting themselves.

What the world needs is masses of women who are entirely out of control.

Glennon Doyle, Untamed.

The only pet peeve, for me, was when the author talks about her book tours. She alludes to the difficulties of promoting her best selling books, since she is an introvert. Boohoo. But I can forgive this because her message is important and powerful for women of all ages.

Glennon has used her voice, her art and her fame to create a better world. This I admire beyond words. She is a woman who is taking her own advice and making the changes she wants to see in the world.

If you’re seeking spiritual growth, finding your voice and your purpose, Untamed by Glennon Doyle is a must read. It will give you wings.

Tiger image by Melissa Mjoen for Unsplash.com