You never know when your perspective will be altered forever. Like most things in life, you never know when or what will change you. Glennon Doyle has opened my eyes to a world of possibilities and fresh perspectives. She shows you how her life has changed for the better by being more true to who she is inside, versus what the world tells her she is on the outside.
Glennon discusses personal topics most would avoid discussing, proving that “we can do hard things.” She talks about how she handled the situation when her husband, the father of her children, cheated on her. She gives insight on how to make choices and do what is best for you by looking inward.
"Perhaps for us, as for Tabitha, the deepest truth is not what we can see but what we can imagine. Perhaps imagination is not where we go to escape reality but where we go to remember it" (65-66).
I am a very indecisive person, and Glennon's tips on how to make decisions are fantastic. She talks about how we, as people of society, rely too heavily on other people’s opinions and not nearly enough on our own. Meditating and looking deep inside are ways that helped her find happiness and make decisions in her own life. I hope to try this in mine.
She discusses how the world tells people who they should be instead of letting them cast the mold. And we should instead cast our own molds and be whoever we decide we want to be. Straying from the path society puts us on and following our own hearts and imaginations is an extremely unique and amazing sentiment.
This book took me much longer to read than a normal book of its length. Not that it was difficult or an actual slow read, but it was so insightful I wanted to allow time to soak in each message the author had for me. I wanted to understand each brilliant point she made and avoid overlooking any minute detail.
Glennon Doyle doesn’t stop with society’s impact on women but has the brilliance and insight to discuss its impact on men. There are so many aspects of our society that remain invisible to us until we identify them. One of these things is how boys are raised in a society that tells them they have to be masculine, brave, unemotional and strong. They are essentially trained to cut off half of who they are.
"Our men are caged, too. The parts of themselves they must hide to fit into those cages are the slices of humanity that our culture has labeled "feminine"-- traits like mercy, tenderness, softness, quietness, kindness, humility, uncertainty, empathy, connection. We tell them, "Don't be those things, because these are feminine things to be. Be anything but feminine" (164).
It is cruel to think about how much our culture tries to program each person based on whether they are a boy or a girl. I don't understand the need to create pre-programmed individuals. Why is it they can’t just decide for themselves? Glennon points out it is the parent’s job to guide their children in life and help them become who they want to be.
"The problem is that the parts of themselves that our boys have been banished from are not feminine traits; they are human traits" (164).
Glennon addresses so many intricate conditioned traits instilled in us from society. One of these traits that affects so many women all around the world is the drive to put ourselves down when we have every reason to be proud of who we are. This is a conditioned societal trait. We should acknowledge this trait and alter our view, encouraging all women to have confidence in themselves. There is no reason for women to dismiss who they are.
"Playing dumb, weak, and silly is a disservice to yourself and to me and to the world. Every time you present to be less than you are, you steal permission from other women to exist fully. Don't mistake modestly for humility" (286).
Glennon’s talent of looking beyond societal constructs is inspiring. Not only does she point out the conditioning we go through to become functioning members of society, but she challenges it. This societal conditioning is what Glennon calls “blueprints.” She was unhappy in her life, and instead of grumbling and doing nothing about it, she figured out what would make her happy and acted on it! She left her unhappy marriage for the love of her life. Although she was at the risk of disappointing everyone, she made this leap of faith to attain her own happiness.
If there is one overarching mantra for Untamed, it would be Glennon's motto, "We can do hard things." She expresses how each person has the capacity to do anything they set their minds to. Sure, some may fail, but we all have the strength to try. If we don't try, we may never truly be happy. After all, you have to do work to get to where you want to be.
This book is inspiring and eye opening. It shows its readers what they are unable to see for themselves. Glennon does this not by convincing, but by simply pointing them out.
Glennon has a unique ability to see how society shapes people. She is able to spot the flaws in the system and see the ways societal beliefs imprison people. She talks about how we are always free to change our beliefs and should be encouraged to question them.
“Untamed,” is an amazing and timeless piece. It is now one of my all time favorite books, and I believe that I am a more compassionate person after reading it. I hope it inspires a new generation of more insightful individuals who can spot the ways society cages people and have the knowledge do something about it.
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