JUST BRAVE IT

An inspiring self-help book based on one woman’s personal (and often humorous) journey of finding her authentic self.

Druhot makes it clear from the start that she has no “official” credentials to write a self-help book. What she does have, however, is the kind of relatable lived experience that everyone who has ever struggled to find themselves will recognize. As a result, Druhot has formulated a “(Who) + (Why) + (How) = Fulfillment” formula for living honestly and passionately. She explains why everyone’s “why” power is greater than their “will” power while helping readers identify their “impact why” (that is, the idea around which every future choice revolves). Druhot peppers her advice with anecdotes from her childhood in Alabama, as well as her struggles with an eating disorder and compulsive spending. She includes occasional black-and-white photos from her life, including of the son of a woman she knows, who was born with a complete bilateral cleft lip and palate. “Reflect Before You Neglect” writing exercises conclude most chapters and feature reflective questions like “What is the life you’re not only capable of achieving, but worthy of having?” Druhot masterfully balances humor and heartfelt advice in a guide that’s as entertaining as it is instructional. Her knack for self-deprecation results in some unexpected, laugh-out-loud moments. (“I only drank once before I turned 21. Never went to parties or tried any drugs—not even a cigarette. But, girl, bless my heart, I was a ho.”) But Druhot also challenges readers to push deeper into their own selves. She transforms the tired “Who am I?” question, for example, by pointing out that labels like mother and wife are simply “titles we or others give us…All of those titles are about other people. You can’t have a single one of those titles without someone else’s involvement.” Readers will likely find both comfort and inspiration from the author’s wholly unique voice.

A witty and heartfelt guide that urges readers to treat themselves with kindness and live with meaning.