There is nothing that makes me feel more content than curling up with a good book, and what’s better than reading a book that offers some life advice at the same time, providing food for thought and the prospect of changing your life for the better, all from the comfort of your bed.
I have read my fair share of self- help and empowerment books and have learnt to recognise the tropes that populate many of these books, but one book really stands out from the crowd to me as being fresh and unique. This book is Untamed by Glennon Doyle, a book that felt like a warm hug combined with the no-nonsense advice of an elder sister. Upon reading this book, I did some research into Glennon Doyle, and discovered the many amazing things she has done, which has led me to name her as one of the women who inspires me the most.
Something that hugely inspired me about Doyle was the way she challenges the societal expectation of women. I didn’t realise how normalised my perceptions of the way women should behave – self-sacrificing, dedicated and selfless- until Doyle’s words encouraged to question why this was such standard of female behaviour
Her book Untamed was published in 2020 and is one of many books she has written. The premise of this book is an explanation of the process of ‘taming’ that most women undergo at a very young age, and how we can throw off these restraints on a journey to becoming ‘untamed’. The concept sounds quite theoretical, but Doyle offers real, useful advice and candid descriptions of her journey from tamed to untamed.
Something that hugely inspired me about Doyle was the way she challenges the societal expectation of women. I didn’t realise how normalised my perceptions of the way women should behave – self-sacrificing, dedicated and selfless- until Doyle’s words encouraged to question why this was such standard of female behaviour. By refusing to adhere to these expectations, and explaining how she is doing so, she is pioneering a wave of women who can champion a new standard of behaviour for women, involving putting one’s own needs first- a seemingly revolutionary concept.
In 2012, Doyle created her charity ‘Together Rising’ which enables those who want to provide help for others in need to do so; their mantra is ‘turn to Together Rising to turn your heartbreak into action’. The foundation has done many admirable things, such as uniting families who have been tragically separated as a result of the zero-tolerance policy, raising money for those who suffered as a result of the Australian fires, gave aid to people struggling in Syria, amongst many other campaigns. The concept of connecting people who want to help with those who need it most is just so simple yet effective, and truly a way to unite people, and empower women through action.