Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis is a self-help book. True Confession: I generally do not like self-help books. I already know my personal issues. Reading about someone else’s issues is not motivational to me. That being said, Girl, Wash Your Face is my book club’s June 2020 selection. It was chosen by one of my closest and dearest friends. Because of her recommendation, I decided to read the book with an open mind.
The book is divided into chapters about lies the author used to believe. She says that she wants readers to “speak their own lies into the world.” Her reasoning is “before you can name them, they just disguise themselves into things we’re afraid of.” She says it is okay to be discouraged and to cry. But then she wants you to dry your eyes, wash your face, and keep going.
The topics covered include procrastination, not being good enough, making yourself small to please others, motherhood, sex, alcohol, relationships, gossip, inclusion, overcoming trauma, comparing yourself to others, and achieving dreams. Ms. Hollis tells a personal story and then lists several things that helped her in that situation. She is sincere in her desire to help those “in her chic tribe”.
In the Chapter regarding the lie “I’m Better Than You”, Ms. Hollis says she has spent numerous hours trying to figure out exactly what women like us want in life. (I’m not sure who “us” is). Her answer is “Friends. How to make friends. How to Keep friends. How to cultivate real, valuable relationships.” This was the part of the book that resonated the most with me.
My book club has been requested to write down our accomplishments and also write down our dreams for the future. The assignment, as encouraged by Girl, Wash Your Face is to self assess, step out, and stretch beyond what you have been. As much as I dislike self-help books I have to admit going through these exercises can be a good thing. I am looking forward to being inspired by the women in my book club as they describe their hopes and dreams.
And now for my Recipes For Readers Recommendation:
Black Bean, Roasted Corn, and Queso Fresco Salad
