Book Club: Lindy West's Shrill Pt. II

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We're chatting about Lindy West's up-front honesty. 

This book is doing a lot for women everywhere. 

There is a fabulous article on Slate praising West as "she attacks entrenched sexism with skilled polemic". West has such an articulate voice in defending women and their choices. She unapologetically questions others who get in the way of women, and I couldn't be more happy to have her as a role model to young women and girls. 

Here on The Guide, we celebrate the every woman in whatever body, lifestyle, career, or love she chooses. Reading Shrill seems to embolden us even further to draw attention to the controversies we see in our lives and then call out the unfair societal expectations that accompany them. Whether it surrounds abortion, periods, fat-shaming, love, or anything else (so everything else) women are criticized about, West has broken it down and shared her opinion. 

What do you think? Do you like how strong her voice is in this work? Or do you think it's a little too forward? Let's discuss in the comments below.  

For next time (August 8th), finish it up! 

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Book Club :: Elizabeth Gilbert's, Big Magic Finale!

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BIG MAGIC BY ELIZABETH GILBERT COVER

BIG MAGIC BY ELIZABETH GILBERT COVER

Another book down for book club! I've so enjoyed reading this with you and having it spark discussion not only on the blog but also in person! I love the literary tribe that's growing.

If you've missed any prior Book Club get-togethers, head over to Book Club and catch up! Still haven't grabbed the book? It's not too late. Promise! Buy it here.

So let's chat the fifth and sixth section and your overall thoughts on the book. I find myself referencing Big Magic almost daily. I'm still riveted by her idea of showing up for creativity, letting it know you're willing to put in the work and dedicate your time, and allowing it a safe space to crash. I'm also still hung up on the idea that ideas find you, and if you are not receptive to them, they will find someone else.

What I love so much about this book is the way it takes the responsibility away from the individual. Yes, once your spark is lit you have to put in the work, but you aren't a failure if you're not 'feelin' it every day. Not even a little bit. I think that alleviates a lot of pressure!

Ending this book felt strange. I thought I would feel emboldened to move forward and pursue all of my passions, and to a certain extent, I do. But I also feel like I knew this knowledge all along and someone just opened my eyes to it. So while my brain knows more, my soul still feels the same.

What are your thoughts? How do you feel at the end of the book? What really irritated you? What has stayed with you? What do you want to chat about? What do you want to read next!

Let's chat in the comments below!

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Book Club :: Elizabeth Gilbert's, Big Magic Part One & Two - Courage and Enchantment

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cover photo for Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

cover photo for Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Today we're finally jumping into Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I feel like these last few weeks have been yeeeaaaarrrrrsssss. Ya feel me? But gosh, what a book!

For today, we're talking all things Courage and Enchantment. What lovely titles, huh? Let me just say that this book is beyond captivating. I find myself talking about it with everyone I speak with, explaining her views on ideas as living entities and our responsibility to "show up". I've yet to read elsewhere how we're responsible and also not responsible at all for the spark. We can ask for it, want it, show up for it, hold hands and skip with it, but we're not lost if it isn't there or if it takes flight in the middle of a good conversation.

I never read Eat Pray Love, but I bet women and men everywhere really identified with her voice, because I find myself associating with the images she outlines. I find myself falling for her narration and the tales she's woven of creative habits, of falling in love with your craft, and freaking owning everything you've got to put it out front and center.

I've got a few questions to spark discussion, and I'm hoping we can get some great discussions going in the comment section! Ready, set, let's go!!! (Clearly I'm excited to talk about this -- the girl gang has been blowin' up facebook with talk of how genius this is, and I'm excited to debut those thoughts woot woot! -- sorry F.Scott, I can't lose the exclamation points on this one).

If you've missed any prior Book Club get-togethers, head over to Book Club and catch up! Still haven't grabbed the book? It's not too late. Promise! Buy it here.

For February 5th read Part III, Permission. Xx.

Question Time

Courage::

+ What are some of the ways you fear living a creative life?

Here are some of mine: I'm afraid I'm a fraud that no one has discovered yet; I'm afraid somebody else is doing it better, and I shouldn't bother; I'm afraid I am unworthy; I'm afraid my honesty isn't refreshing but detrimental; I'm afraid I'm not the glamorous, attractive woman the media wants to see in the public eye; I'm afraid I'll run out of ideas; etc. etc. etc.

+ Have you ever argued for your limitations? Pg. 18, she writes of the saying: "Argue for your limitations and you get to keep them."

+ I LOVED how she wrote how fear is so boring, because it is always the same. Ugh. Fear is so stupid!!! In your head or aloud, say "STOP, STOP, STOP, STOP!" right now to any doubt or fear creeping up. If you're wondering why, refer to the aforementioned sentence or bullet point.

+ What could you think bigger about? Your future, your career, your romances, your passions?

Here are some of mine: My career is going places I couldn't even have imagined, so I need to stop dreaming small; my future is going to happen whether I'm ready or not, so I need to stop worrying about if it's going to face plant -- it's already kicking up; I'm worthy of the romance of a lifetime, so why the f*** do I keep telling myself not yet, not necessary, not worthy. Doubts are silly, and I'm done with them. What are you done with?

Enchantment::

+ How do you deal with the dreaded "they stole my idea"? Do you recognize how awesome it is that it's living its purpose or do you close off and hate the person? Have you ever had that happen? What could you do differently now on forward?

+ What has the world said "no" to that really ticked you off, but later you realized it was meant to be, because something freaking amazing was hurtling towards you at the same time?

+ Have you been waiting for a permission slip? You don't need one, but if you're worried you do, as Elizabeth Gilbert writes, "THERE, I just gave it to you" (p. 90).

+ Right here, right now, declare your intent. Who are you?

I am a dreamer, a romantic, a writer, a yoga instructor, a guide, a health coach. I am all of this and even more.

+ What have you been complaining too much about?

Here are some of mine: I don't have a significant other; I'm not earning enough money; It's just not working. LAME. I'm only bringing more of that in my direction, so let's cut that out, K? K. 

Any other ideas?

That's all of the questions I have to spark conversation for now... Hop down to the comments and give it a whirl -- no thought too big, small, unwanted (within reason), or otherwise!

*affiliate links were used in this post :: thanks for supporting The Great Vibes Guide & me! Xx.

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P.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
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