Ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery? Ever questioned the societal norms around you? Want to know how to turn adversity into strength? Dive into the author's story of overcoming personal struggles, embracing diversity, and her inspiring journey towards becoming a successful entrepreneur. Learn about her battles with workaholism, mental health, societal pressures and how she found strength in vulnerability.

Girl, Wash Your Face

Hollis, the author, always thought that if she worked hard enough, she would find happiness. That's the lie she lived for years. So, she became a workaholic. Hollis loved her job, the people she worked with, and the sense of accomplishment she felt every day. But she soon realized that her pursuit of success was making her ignore other aspects of her life.

She neglected her family, her health, and even herself. Hollis was so focused on achieving her goals that she didn't realize the toll it was taking on her. She suffered from physical ailments like facial paralysis and vertigo, which doctors linked to the immense stress she was under.

Hollis also found that she was only receiving love and attention when she achieved something. This started in her childhood, when her parents would only acknowledge her when she did well in school or had some achievement to show. This planted a seed in her mind that she needed to constantly produce and achieve in order to be loved.

It was only when Hollis reached a breaking point that she realized something needed to change. She needed to start taking care of herself, to prioritize her own happiness over her achievements.

So, Hollis made a promise to herself. She would no longer break commitments to herself, no matter how small. She slowly started to make changes in her life. Hollis reduced her working hours, started going to therapy, and focused on finding joy in everyday life. She even started prioritizing her health and made sure she was getting enough sleep, water, and nutrition.

It was a slow process, but Hollis was determined to make a change. And while she still loved her job and strove to be successful, she learned to balance it with other aspects of her life. Because at the end of the day, life isn't just about work and achievements. It's about finding joy, spending time with loved ones, and taking care of yourself.

Hollis learned that she is enough, just as she is, and that she doesn't need to constantly produce and achieve to feel loved. And most importantly, she learned that happiness isn't something you find by working nonstop. It's something you choose. Because your life isn't supposed to be just survived—it's meant to be lived.

Is Your Pursuit of Success Costing You Happiness?

Ever been embarrassed by something trivial? Hollis sure has. She used to make fun of a girl at school who shaved her toes, only to realize later that she did the same. It was a painful lesson in hypocrisy. High school was tough, but looking back, it was the crucible that shaped her.

Fast forward to adulthood and Hollis realized that a lot of women's negativity towards each other is rooted in insecurity. They judge, they gossip, they tear each other down, often because they're trying to mask their own flaws. She was no different. She was judgmental, quick to criticize others, and often failed to see the bigger picture.

One day, while traveling on a plane, Hollis witnessed a woman struggling to handle her unruly child. Initially, she was quick to judge her. She thought the woman was a bad mother for not disciplining her child. However, after observing her closely, she saw that the woman was overwhelmed and exhausted. Perhaps her child had special needs, or maybe they were going through a tough phase. It reminded Hollis that everyone has their battles and that people should be more understanding of each other's struggles.

The habit of judging others also extends to professional lives. When Hollis was invited to cheer on her friends at a marathon, she initially felt left out because she wasn't participating. However, cheering on from the sidelines offered a whole new perspective. It was just as fulfilling to see her friends cross the finish line and achieve their goals.

The journey towards personal growth isn't always straightforward. People face rejection, disappointment, and heartbreak. Hollis once wrote a book that was rejected by every publisher she approached. However, instead of giving up, she decided to self-publish. It was a leap of faith, but it paid off. Today, that book has sold over a hundred thousand copies.

Remember, every rejection is a step closer to success. Every 'no' can be a 'not yet.' Every closed door can lead to an open window. Keep striving, keep believing, and most importantly, keep growing.

From Judgment to Empathy: A Personal Journey Towards Growth and Understanding

Hollis expresses her initial discomfort and lack of confidence in her sexual abilities, acknowledging that discussing this topic was challenging, especially as a married Christian woman. She felt out of her element, navigating the awkwardness and misery during intimacy, to the point where she and her husband nearly lost their sex life entirely. However, she proudly shares that their sex life is now legendary, driven by genuine enjoyment rather than obligation.

Hollis considered herself a late bloomer in romance and intimacy. When she met her husband, Dave, her experience with men was limited. Entering marriage without realistic expectations, she had to rely on media portrayals of sex, which set an unrealistic standard. She and her husband endured early years of misery due to this lack of understanding.

Determined to change, Hollis took control and redefined sex as a fun and enjoyable experience. She communicated openly with Dave about her feelings, fears, and desires. She explored biblical teachings, finding reassurance that marital sex is neither wrong nor dirty. Embracing her body and committing to experiencing orgasm each time, she discovered her true turn-ons. Remarkably, they even committed to having sex every day for a month, which transformed their relationship.

Switching gears, Hollis recounted her struggles as a mother, both physically and psychologically. Pregnancy was an ordeal filled with constant worries about her baby's health. As a new mom, she felt terrified and inadequate, obsessing over her baby's every breath, feeding habits, and health. Striving for perfection, she often felt like she was failing.

Over time, Hollis learned that the idea of being a perfect mom is a myth. What truly matters is caring for both your children and yourself. She accepted her imperfections and embraced the reality of motherhood, learning to enjoy it without guilt or constant self-doubt.

Hollis shares an important secret that there is no single way to be a mom or a family. Each person's unique approach adds to the richness of modern-day parenting. Whether one is a working mother, a stay-at-home mom, strict or relaxed, involved in their kids' sports or not, it all contributes to a diverse and beautiful tapestry. The key is to do your best, care for your children and yourself, and extend grace on the days you fall short. 

Ultimately, everyone is doing their best with what they have, and that is enough.

Can a Woman Truly Enjoy Sex and Motherhood Without Guilt?

In a gathering of successful women, the topic of aging came up. The consensus was that they disliked getting older not because of physical changes, but because they had not yet achieved all their life goals. 

This resonated with Hollis; she has often felt the pressure of self-imposed timelines for her goals. But she has come to realize that every moment is preparing individuals for the future. It’s a lesson she learned from her own life experiences, from taking eight months to get pregnant to the unexpected growth of her lifestyle blog.

Hollis' adoption journey was another lesson. After a failed adoption process, she was reluctant to try again. But she did, and now her daughter is a precious part of her life. This experience taught her the importance of faith, of believing that life unfolds as it's meant to, even when it's painful.

At a conference, Hollis had an epiphany about a childhood need to please her father and to be successful. She realized that she had been making herself small, downplaying her achievements and dreams to make others feel more comfortable. She has resolved to stop minimizing herself; she is a wife, a mother, and an ambitious entrepreneur with big dreams. Hollis believes that she, like everyone else, is fearfully and wonderfully made, and that those dreams are the roadmap to her divine calling.

Hollis encourages others to stop making themselves small. She urges them to embrace who they truly are and the life of incredible possibility in front of them. They are not a mistake, and their dreams are not silly. They are not little girls, but grown women. She encourages them to become exactly who God calls them to be.

She reminds everyone that they all have moments of feeling small, of doubting their worth or abilities. But those moments are just that - moments. They do not define anyone. Strength, courage, and audacity are what truly define individuals. 

So, Hollis encourages embracing chaos, dreams, and true selves. She advocates for stopping the tendency to make oneself smaller and starting to live larger. She dares everyone to be bold, to offend, to grow, and to be exactly who they are meant to be.

Daring to Live Larger: Embracing Your True Self and Divine Calling

Rachel Hollis is a self-made success who has faced her fair share of setbacks and challenges. From a teenage obsession with marrying Matt Damon to dreams of owning a Louis Vuitton bag, Hollis shares her humorous and heartfelt journey with us, illustrating how imagination and determination are vital for success. 

She vividly recalls her junior year in high school spent watching Good Will Hunting, believing she would marry Matt Damon, and even applying for jobs at Miramax Films, hoping to bump into him. 

She also shares her goal of owning a Louis Vuitton Speedy bag, which represented the woman she aspired to become. With grit and determination, she eventually achieved her goals, underscoring the power of visualizing dreams.

Hollis discusses the importance of not letting others' opinions influence your creative work, sharing her experience with receiving a bad review on her first book, Party Girl. She learned to write for herself, not for validation from others, and stopped reading reviews, ensuring her creativity wasn't stifled by fear of criticism.

She bravely shares her traumatic experience of losing her brother to suicide at a young age, leading to nightmares, anxiety, and guilt. Through therapy and talking about her trauma, she learned to face her pain and find purpose. She believes that while not everything happens for a reason, it is possible to find purpose amidst hardship. 

Can Dreams of Marrying Matt Damon and Owning a Louis Vuitton Bag Truly Drive Your Success?

As Hollis writes this book, she asks herself if she has the courage to share her whole story. It's hard to expose her vulnerabilities and experiences, but she knows that hiding them only fuels fear and negativity. Hollis wants to be brutally honest, particularly about her family's adoption journey. She hopes that by sharing their story, she can empower and inform other prospective adoptive families.

Hollis and her husband had always dreamed of adopting a little girl. So, they began their journey with international adoption, specifically Ethiopia. They believed that being an ocean apart would eliminate the risk of biological parents reclaiming the child. However, after two years in the Ethiopian adoption program, Ethiopia suspended their program. They decided to stick with it, but six months later, Ethiopia closed adoptions to the United States completely.

They were devastated, but they didn't give up. They decided to try domestic adoption, specifically foster-to-adopt. They knew Los Angeles County had a dire need for foster parents and they could provide love and care. But they were naive about the challenges ahead. They unexpectedly went from a family of three to a family of five virtually overnight. The system was more complicated than they anticipated, and eventually, the girls they fostered had to leave.

Shortly after, they received a call about newborn twins needing a home. They eagerly took them in, only to learn later that their biological father wanted them. They were never up for adoption. They were heartbroken.

During these trials, Hollis found solace in a glass of wine. It became a nightly ritual. It helped her manage the stress and pain. But soon, one glass turned into two, then three. She was using alcohol to numb her feelings, to cope. She realized this was not healthy. She needed to face her problems, not drown them. She stopped drinking and found healthier ways to handle stress.

Their adoption journey was a long, intense process, filled with highs and lows. But Hollis wants readers to see someone who kept showing up, even when it was tearing her apart. She wants them to see someone who walked in faith because she believed God’s plan for her life was magnificent, even if it wasn’t easy.

Hollis reminds others that it's important to take care of their physical body. Eat healthily, exercise regularly, drink water, and get enough sleep. And when life gets tough, it's okay to lean on healthy coping mechanisms. 

Don't let struggles define you. Stand tall and keep moving forward. The journey may not be easy, but it will be worth it.

Standing Tall: One Family's Rollercoaster Journey through Adoption and Self-Discovery

Raised in the small, conservative town of Weedpatch, California, Hollis grew up in a homogenous environment, surrounded by people who looked, thought, and acted just like her. Her first taste of diversity came during a junior high trip to Disneyland, where she witnessed an array of races, ethnicities, and lifestyles. This experience sparked a curiosity and a desire to understand and embrace diversity.

As Hollis grew older, she realized that the world is a tapestry of diverse individuals, all with their own unique stories and experiences. It became clear that embracing diversity and seeking connections with those different from her made her a better person.

Hollis had the opportunity to challenge her ignorance and preconceived notions about different cultures and lifestyles through her best friend, who is gay, African American, and Mexican American. Her friend's story brims with strength, history, beauty, confidence, and courage – elements that Hollis would have missed if she had stayed within her comfort zone.

Hollis also learned the importance of breaking boundaries and pushing herself beyond her limits through her experience of training for a half marathon. Despite her initial apprehension and doubts, she discovered that she had an innate ability to persevere and endure, to push herself beyond what she thought was possible.

In the end, the most important lesson Hollis learned is that only she has the power to change her life. No matter where people come from or what they've been through, everyone has the ability to rewrite their stories and draw their own paths. People need to stop waiting for someone else to save them and be their own heroes. It's time to rise, scrub away past pains, and start anew. It's time to wash their faces and embrace the beautiful, diverse world that awaits them.

Can Embracing Diversity and Pushing Boundaries Transform Your Life?

Rachel Hollis discusses her journey of self-discovery and how she overcame her personal struggles to become a successful entrepreneur. She shares her insights about the importance of self-care, keeping promises to oneself, and intentional choices that bring joy to our lives. 

She encourages readers to prioritize their well-being and to be aware of their actions. Hollis' personal battles with workaholism, mental health, and societal pressures provide a powerful testament to the strength of perseverance and self-belief. Her story is a reminder that each individual is unique and inherently worthy, and that one's actions greatly shape their life.

Further, she shares her experiences about societal pressures and expectations of motherhood, her struggles with body image and relationship with alcohol. Hollis emphasizes the importance of taking care of one's body for overall health and well-being, and addressing the root causes of one's issues rather than resorting to temporary fixes. 

Throughout her narrative, she stresses on the need to embrace individuality, and focus on what's best. Her personal journey serves as an inspiring reminder that it's okay to be different, to ask for help, and to persevere through adversities. Through her experiences, she encourages everyone to show up for their lives, to be bold and courageous, and to find strength in vulnerability.

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