Maybe you can't be anything, but you can be something. Beautiful Badass

I've read a lot of self-help that seems to expect me to separate from the fact that I live with mental illness and the aftereffects of trauma. Anyone who's experienced these things knows that it's often impossible to compartmentalize them completely; sometimes, these things become part of who we are. Chrysta Bairre understands this and has done a beautiful job writing a book that extends this kind of compassion toward the reader. These pages are full of practical tips, advice, and reframes for people who struggle to adopt the "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" mentality of so many other self-help books out there. Perhaps the most impactful part of this book is the permission it gives: permission to take up your space, permission to stop diminishing yourself, permission to take the reins of your own life and create something that works for you, permission to write your own definition of success, and permission to love yourself - just as you are. With its clear structure, seamless transitions from memoir to self-help and back again, and fun illustrations, this is an easy and engaging read full of little nuggets of treasure along the way.

I pre-ordered this book because I saw Chrysta Bairre deliver the keynote presentation at a conference, and was impressed by her raw vulnerability, on a stage in front of an audience of 350+. Building on her honesty about her very personal anxieties that many humans share but don't discuss, she proceeded to demonstrate how she used her insecurity to build a beautiful life, full of personal connection, business success, and service to others. Beautiful Badass goes deep, depicting Bairre's difficult childhood and resulting challenged young adulthood, true stories that function to demonstrate that folks struggling with even the great disadvantages can re-/claim their lives with easy-to-implement tools, practices, and mindset shifts. Read it--it'll lift you up and carry you forward!