Book Review - Girl, Wash Your Face

About a year and a half ago, it seemed like everyone was talking about this book, Girl, Wash Your Face. I would see it on social media, hear people talking about it, and stumble upon it when browsing the aisles in Target. Eventually, I was intrigued enough to add it to my Amazon wishlist. Some time later I purchased it. Then for months, it sat on my bookshelf. Each time I finished a book, I would look at it sitting on my bookshelf and decide the time was not right. I did not want to read a self-help book. I was doing fine. Or there was another book intriguing me more to read it.

The last several weeks have been a struggle for me. Things have not seemed to be going my way. I was feeling a lot like I was taking one step forward and two steps back. I was putting in the work and not seeing results. I was putting myself out there only to be rejected. I was doing my best to help people and just getting yelled at and told I'm horrible. Needless to say, I was left feeling beaten down and defeated. I was not giving up. It's not who I am. I was just tired.

When I finished reading The Flight Girls (see my review HERE), it was time to decide what to read next. I looked at my bookshelf, and Girl, Wash Your Face stuck out to me. I still was not sure if it was what I wanted to read, but I picked it up, flipped it open, and it landed on a chapter titled "The Lie: I'm Not Good Enough". It was a lie I was currently telling myself in various areas of my life, so it felt like fate that I flipped to that page.

At 220 pages, Girl, Wash Your Face is a quick read. Rachel Hollis writes in such a way that it feels like one of your friends is sitting with you telling you her experiences to help you get through tough times. Like me, I am sure many of you are guilty of being hard yourself, being your worst critic. Rachel is right there with you telling you she is the same, she knows exactly how you feel, and these are the things she recommends you do to stop beating yourself up and start caring for yourself. Become your number one cheerleader, your top advocate.

There is nothing in this book that was particularly mind-blowing. Nothing that I have not been told or realized at some point or another in my life. However, there are so many things you need to hear over and over again, and from multiple people for it to really stick. Or in some cases, it sticks, but when something comes up to derail you, it's hard to get back on the right track. That negative voice in your head takes over, and it is a strong voice.

This book is a great read when your mindset is more negative than positive. When you feel like no matter what you do, it's not right, not good enough, not making a difference. This book will be your best gal pal telling you she knows exactly what you're going through, she's been there, and she's there to help lift you back up to be that marvelous woman you are.

I picked this book up off my shelf at the right moment. Exactly at the time when I needed it. To anyone having a rough time and feeling like each day is struggle, I recommend you pick up this book and let Rachel be your supportive friend. She'll help put right back on the right track to being amazing.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5
When to read: When you're feeling down and out and need a lift

Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Elementary School

In retrospect, deciding to start a blog right before the start of the busiest time of the year was probably a bit over ambitious. Clearly, I failed to make the time to create new posts or to even plan ahead and have posts ready to go ahead of time. Lesson learned. Memo to me, future blog post: Time Management Tips. Second memo to me: Learn Time Management Tips.

This holiday season was busier than ever, exhausting, and I crawled my way to the finish line with more bumps and bruises. I survived, though, and that’s all that matters. As usual, it was a fun roller coaster with many ups and downs. However, even those downs had amusing moments because I was so delirious by that point. As stated on an episode of one of my all time favorite TV shows, there were times when I definitely had “gone round the bend”.

As I stumbled my way through life from Thanksgiving through the start of 2020, I could not help but notice a common theme: people seem to have forgotten some of those lessons we all learned as children. Maybe it’s because of the stress of adulting, maybe it’s a result of the increasing dependency on technology, maybe it’s just because we forget things as we get older. Whatever the reason, I thought the start of a new year was a perfect time for a gentle reminder. We are constantly telling our children these things but not practicing them ourselves. Let’s always be the example.

Lesson 1: Put things back where you found them. Don’t just leave it on an empty shelf - especially when you’re in a grocery store. If you change your mind about that chicken you picked up, don’t leave it on a shelf in the cereal aisle - #1 that’s gross; and #2 when an employee finds it, it now needs to be thrown out. Next time just take those extra steps and put it back. Less food is wasted, and you’ll get a little exercise. #WinWin

Lesson 2: Be polite. Say please and thank you. If you walk into a store and an employee greets you, say hello back. Don’t just ignore them because you’re worried they're just trying to sell you something. Be polite.

Lesson 3. Be kind to one another. Always be kind. No one likes a bully.

Lesson 4. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Don’t make assumptions about a person based on where they work or their position. The janitor to a CEO all deserve the same amount respect. 

Lesson 5. Don’t throw things at others. Self explanatory. I didn’t think I would need to include this lesson, but it turns out I do.

Lesson 6. Don’t kill the messenger. When you’re unhappy with a policy, remember that the person standing in front of you likely did not write it, but it is their job to follow it. Yelling at a person for something they have no control over is only going to result in one thing: you ruined someone’s day for doing their job.

Lesson 7. Clean up! Clean up! Everybody clean up! Is the item you want hanging at the back and you have to take off five items to get to it? It happens. When you get what you want, hang the others back up. Tried on a jacket? Turn it right side out and hang it back up. Unfolded a shirt to see the image? Fold it back up and put it on the pile. This is not just about being courteous to the employees, but also being courteous to your fellow shoppers. Ever walk into a store and feel overwhelmed by the mess, so you walk out? Clean up, it only takes a moment.

Lesson 8. Pay attention and listen to the person speaking to you. A pet peeve I have had for years is people talking on a cell phone when at the checkout counter. First of all, that’s disrespectful to the person currently assisting you, and second, half the time that person slows down the line because they’re so engrossed in their phone conversation that the cashier has to repeat themselves. It really only takes a couple minutes, put the phone down. You’ll survive. I promise.

Lesson 9. Smile. It’ll cheer you up and brighten someone’s day. See a worker without a smile, don’t call them out on it, smile at them. They could be having a rough day, and your smile will cheer them up.

Lesson 10. Never forget the Golden Rule. Treat others how you would want to be treated. 

Bonus Lesson. Just Dance.

I strive everyday to live by these lessons and be this person. Some days I’m better at it than others. I always try, though. Believe me, if everyone tries, this crazy world we are all living in will shine brighter. 

Let me know your thoughts below. Any lessons you would add? 

Thanks for reading! Make it a great day!

***The thoughts and opinions in this post are only the thoughts and opinions of me. They are not to represent to the thoughts and opinions of anyone who may be associated with me.***