How to own the place

I looked up from the page, the words had started to get hazy and the lines were merging out of focus, I needed a quick break. I dragged my jacket sleeve across my damp face patting my cheeks and rubbing my nose. I’ve cried in that cafe numerous times before. My favourite seat is a window seat, tucked into the corner, it’s cramped and the view is covered by scaffolding but it’s mine. Plus you can get away with a few tears and not be bothered.I wish I’d written down how I found out about this book but I just can’t remember. Some cool Instagram post maybe, or a random blog I read. Like she owns the place - Cara Alwill Leyba, was added to my Amazon wishlist and once a book makes that list, I have to read it.

Overview:

Self-help book/ memoir, it’s a book that you have to be in the mood for. I think it’s a quick read too, you can’t come back to it every few weeks, you need to let the words hit your soul and work there magic or move on. Predominately for women (I think), the book looks at self-love and self-worth and how it's a lack of those things, that rocks our confidence - which in turn, affects everything. The book will ask you what you want and if you really want it, it will help push you to get it. Side note, parts of the book were a bit OTT, but you if can swim past those and get to the good stuff, it will be worth it.

Quotes I like:

• “Guilt was not serving me. So it had to go”.
• “Are you happy or are you comfortable?".
• “Beauty is energy”.
• “What really makes us beautiful is how we feel about ourselves”.
• “Facing the world with a loving heart and your held high” - this is literally my life moto.
• “She’s turning heads because her energy is undeniable” - *hands raised emoji*
• “You may find yourself lost, but you can always come home, she’ll be waiting for you”.
• "You have everything you need within you to thrive".
• "(Supportive, positive people)... They will challenge you to be the best version of yourself while reminding you that you're perfect exactly as you are".

Thoughts it made me think:

I spent a lot of time training to be a counsellor a few years ago and part of that process is about constantly looking at who you are, redefining yourself and what you stand for. This book reminded me that I need to keep doing that, it’s not a one-time thing. Who am I? What do I want? What does happiness look like for me? These things don't have to stay the same, but by redefining ourselves over and over again, you get to know who you are - inside out and back to front. And it's knowing who you are even in your darkest moments that allows you to create a ‘home’ within yourself, a safe place where you will always feel comfortable and always feel at peace. This is the part that takes work.The book also reminded me all about the power of your 'tribe'. You become like the 5 people you spend most of your time with. Are they the people you want to become? Let's pick each other up and push on together to create the tribes we want to be part of.Finally, the book was a reminder, I need to live life on my own terms and only define success within myself. You know those people who walk into a room and you get this feeling of light and life and energy. I want to be like that. I want to be so authentic and real you can feel it. Not because I want people to think I light up a room. But because I want to live my life like that. I want to feel like that for myself. Momentum. I want to make art with life.

Score:

4.5/5Take a deep breath and open that door, walk into that room like you own the place, because you do. You always have. You are enough.  xxx** An affiliate link for the book is in this post.  It just means if you want to buy the book and you buy it through the link, I get a few pennies. There is no additional charge for you and the book will be the same price. I've got pay for my coffee and book addiction somehow.