Girl, Wash Your Face

Hollis gives women both the kick in the pants and the hug around the neck they need. Filled with wit and wisdom, and heartfelt hilarity, she debunks all the most prevalent lies we tell ourselves, and cheers us on to become our better selves. It’s an intervention and a soul-affirming pep talk all in one. This is a book you’re going to want to give to all your girlfriends. I straight up loved it!

Rachel is obviously very passionate about everything she talks about in this book. I thought it was inspirational because she’s so passionate. Because she recognizes her weaknesses and what she needs to do to do better. Because she works hard to make things happen that she wants. Because she dreams and encourages other women to do the same thing. Is what she says ground breaking? Earth shattering? New and different? Nope. But she delivers in a way that speaks to people (maybe especially women). And she made me remember things I’d not thought about for awhile (personal integrity and writing down goals) and mentions things I haven’t really thought about (it’s okay to have “impossible” goals). Another thing I like: her story tells me that everyone’s story has value. You don’t have to be dirt poor, overcome a hundred hurdles, to have something of value to share with others. I like that.

Note: some swearing, very mild. An entire chapter dedicated to sex, but is very tastefully handled. Christian book; several mentions of God and her religious focus but not preachy or “in your face” at all.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Rachel reads this book herself and I think her passion comes out even more through her reading. She does a good job.

This is an underestimate when I say… I LOVE THIS BOOK. I highly recommend this to anyone who has ever doubted themselves or has ever thought a dream is too out of reach. This book motivates me to be a better person. READ. THIS. BOOK.

“When you’re looking for a community of women, look for the ones who want to build each other up instead of tear each other down.”

First, let me start off by saying, I truly hate “self-help” books. I find them too preachy and for the most part, the authors are very opinionated and they’re very impractical to follow. I literally groaned when my Atlanta Social Club Book Club decide on this book. That being said, I found Rachel Hollis’ book, Girl, Wash Your Face rather good!

Hollis’ style of writing wasn’t preachy, at all. I was shockingly surprised at how relatable Hollis’ insecurities and misconceptions of what women face were. The end of each chapter also offered the reader steps or ideas that helped Hollis tackle each chapter’s theme. For me, it was practical to accomplish some of the steps she recommended in the chapters.

I’m not going to lie, there were some chapters I skipped. They didn’t relate to me, like at all. One chapter was on children, I’m extremely single and have no plans on having little people coming out of me at any time soon. Even the chapter on sex I skipped. I’m not one on skipping chapters on sex, but for me, (honesty is truly coming through on this first post) I haven’t had sex in almost two years! As of now, I’m putting career ahead of relationships and sex. That’s just me. So, some chapters were glossed over.

The one chapter that really, I mean really, stuck with me was: “The Lie: I should be further along by now.” I’m coming close to turning 30 years old, I have both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in my field, I love my job, I truly do, but I feel stuck. I wish with all my heart that I were further along by now. Many people would say, “Katie, you’re too impatient.” Or even, “Katie, your time will come.” But right now, I just feel like I should be further ahead by now. Even looking at family and relationships I feel behind. Many of my friends are getting married, are married or even have children. As indicated in the previous paragraph, you know I’m very single and certainly not out looking for my future husband. But Hollis’ saying at the end of this chapter that really made me stop and made me go, “Hell yes!” was this:

“(Goals) can help you become your best self…but big dreams shouldn’t have expiration dates. As long as you’re working toward the things you hope to accomplish, it shouldn’t matter it if takes you a month or a decade.”

Now I said this in the book club meeting and I will say it again on here, I really think this book needs to be implemented in a high school curriculum or even a manual before college for girls. Many would say that’s a little far-fetched, that it doesn’t really offer anything to really learn in an educational sense. But let me just tell you, this book really does open your eyes up to how to be your best self.

Let’s take for instance this chapter: “The Lie: I am defined by my weight.” Through media and advertising, girls and women are fed this false image of what women should look like — thin as hell. I’ll be honest, again, I’m not super thin, I’m not even thin, I’m a curvy women. I work out, occasionally, I eat healthy, sometimes, but I know I could do better when it comes to my size and heath. But I can happily say, I’m content with how I look. I don’t starve myself and I certainly don’t excessively go to the gym working out for hours on end. One of Hollis’ quotes, which wasn’t one of the end chapter helpful bits, but was extremely funny and made me go, “Duh!” was this:

“I know they say nothing tastes as good as skinny feels, but I assume that’s because they’ve never had a Nacho Bell Grande.”

Let’s recap here. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Some would say it really is just for girls and women, but I’d say, “No!” There’s a lot a boy or man could learn from this book. It needs to be in any and all household, schools, dorms and bookshelves. It is empowering and eye-opening; it truly brings the misconceptions and lies society tells and forces upon women up to the surface. And when we’re down and crying our eyes out over, boys/men, work, children and even our bodies; we need to, like Rachel Hollis says at the end of her book:

“Rise up from where you’ve been, scrub away the tears and the pain of yesterday, and start again…Girl, wash your face!”

Read more of my review here: https://bit.ly/2wMdff2

This was an enjoyable, motivating read. I’ve listened to Rachel’s podcast before, so I knew what to expect going in: the book is one big pep-talk. Is it full of brand new ideas I’ve never heard before? No. But, she totally owns that. What Rachel brings to the table is reframing the advice that we probably know to be true deep down yet often ignore and presenting it in a way that is relatable to women. And she includes plenty anecdotes along the way, from laugh-out-loud funny to absolutely heartwrenching.

If you’re in need of encouragement to take life by the reins and pursue your dreams fearlessly, then this book fits the bill. It’s like having a best friend remind you, “You’ve GOT this.” And sometimes, we can all use a little reminding.

Meh. I don’t know what the hype was about.

Still reading this and enjoying every chapter! A no-nonsense and uplifting way to view this crazy world we live in!

Rachel Hollis is fantastic! I love her book and I’ve recommended it dozens of times. Highly recommend! @rachel_hollis

Rachel provided items from her life I to this book that had my heart wrenching out for her & made me realize that I had similar things occur to me as well.

Love the author, liked the book a lot! Fun,quick read. Good for all women, mostly over 30 years old seems to be the key audience.