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Untamed · Glennon Doyle
Motivation & Inspiration · Free text

Untamed

Glennon Doyle

Stop Pleasing, Start Living

20 min
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About the book

📖 "Untamed - Glennon Doyle" offers a powerful and inspiring story of how she broke free from societal norms and expectations to find her true essence and start living an authentic life. The book is filled with wisdom, honesty, and motivation that helps readers find the courage to live their lives without compromise or fear.

About the author

Glennon Doyle is an American author, activist, and speaker known for her open and honest books about personal growth, authenticity, and self-acceptance. Her works focus on overcoming societal expectations and finding strength in accepting ourselves as we truly are.

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Summary and key ideas

Book summary prepared by ReWio. Original book author: Glennon Doyle.

Introduction

The book "Untamed" by Glennon Doyle, invites you on a journey of liberation and authenticity. It is a call to awakening and self-discovery, inspiring you to break free from the chains of societal expectations and start living life on your own terms. In her memoir, Glennon Doyle, well-known author and activist, speaks candidly about her life, which was once filled with striving to be the perfect mother, partner, and Christian. But when she found the courage to follow her intuition and embrace her true identity, she began to create a new life full of love, family and inspiring work. This recap will share key ideas and lessons from Untamed that can help you identify the places where you don't feel completely free, and offer strategies for embracing your desires and creating the most fulfilling life you can imagine. You'll discover how embracing her sexuality brought her closer to God, how she detoxed from racist beliefs, and why pregnancy saved her life. Prepare for an inspiring journey of liberation and self-fulfillment.

Follow your intuition

Glennon Doyle underwent a major life transformation when she decided to listen to her intuition. The moment she met Abby Wambach, Doyle began to reevaluate her entire life. The intense desire she felt upon meeting Abby was so strong that she couldn't ignore it. This impulse reminded her that there was a deep knowing within her that knew what was right for her. After years of suppressing her true feelings and conforming to society's expectations, she realized she had to follow that inner voice. Doyle began to pay more attention to what her inner voice was telling her, and in doing so, she created a new way of living. She decided to leave her husband and create a new kind of family that was authentic and full of love. This decision was not easy, but it was based on her deep sense that her intuition was leading her in the right direction. She began to follow her inner knowing in her daily life, which allowed her to find true love and create a life that was in alignment with her true self. A key part of this transformation was learning how to quiet herself and listen to her intuition. Doyle created a ritual in which she retreated into silence for ten minutes each day and focused only on herself. It was challenging at first, but gradually she learned to tune into the still, quiet voice inside her that guided her. This voice, which she called Awareness, provided her with direction and reassurance in moments of uncertainty. Consciousness showed her what decisions were right for her and allowed her to experience the feeling of warm liquid gold flooding her veins. Intuition became her trusty guide, helping her to question established beliefs and create a new narrative for her life. This ability to listen and trust her inner voice has given her the tools to build a life that is authentic and fulfilling.

Embrace your identity

This process began when Doyle met Abby Wambach and experienced an intense and undeniable attraction. Although she had previously been married to a man and had never felt attraction to a woman, this experience forced her to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about herself and her sexuality. Doyle realized that in order to live an authentic life, she had to embrace her true identity, even if it meant facing misunderstanding and resistance from society. This acceptance forced her to overcome many internal and external obstacles. She was brought up in an environment that placed great emphasis on societal expectations and religious norms that often denied and stigmatized different forms of sexuality. Accepting her identity meant rejecting these social and religious norms that limited her. This process of acceptance was not just about her sexuality. Doyle also had to reevaluate her beliefs about what it meant to be a good mother, partner, and Christian woman. She realized that living an authentic life required her to be honest with herself and others, and to embrace all aspects of her identity, including those that conflicted with what society expected of her. This meant standing up to her followers and revealing her true nature, even if it meant risking her career and losing the support of some people. Doyle's journey to embrace her identity has been full of challenges, but also discoveries. She learned that authentic living is only possible when we embrace all parts of ourselves, even those that are difficult or controversial. This acceptance has allowed her to create a life of love and joy that is in alignment with her true essence. Through this process, Doyle has learned that accepting her identity is the key to freedom and fulfillment.

Rethink social expectations

Throughout her life, Doyle faced many norms and rules that pushed her into certain roles and behaviors, gradually discovering that these expectations separated her from her true essence. As a child and young woman, Doyle was exposed to traditional ideas of what a good daughter, mother, and wife should look and behave like. These expectations included obedience, pleasantness, and beauty according to societal standards. As she matured, these ideas led her to strive to be perfect by external standards, which eventually led her to depression, anxiety, and bulimia. Trying to be who society wanted her to be distanced her from herself. Her journey to reevaluate these expectations began when she realized that living up to these standards did not bring her true happiness. This was especially evident in her marriage, where she struggled to live up to the image of the perfect family, even though inside she felt empty and unhappy. By beginning to question whether these expectations were truly her own or just something she accepted without question, she began to reveal her true nature and needs. Rethinking societal expectations allowed her to find the courage to leave a marriage that was built on pretense and disharmony. In taking this step, she decided to live life on her own terms, which included accepting her love for Abby and creating a family that was consistent with her true values. This process involved rejecting the idea that happiness and success must look a certain way. For Doyle, rethinking societal expectations was the key to freedom and authenticity. She learned that true happiness comes when we live according to our own beliefs and desires, not what society expects of us. By allowing herself to question and reject these external pressures, she was able to focus fully on what brings her joy and fulfillment and begin to live a life that is true and free.

Prioritise your own needs

Doyle emphasizes that being a good mother, partner, or friend does not mean neglecting yourself. On the contrary, true love for others begins with love for yourself. Doyle has come a long way before realizing that taking care of her own needs is essential to her happiness and health. After years of trying to live up to the expectations of others and be the perfect mother, wife, and Christian, she found that it only led to her exhaustion and dissatisfaction. These years of suppressing her own desires and needs brought her to a point where she felt empty and unfree. The turning point came when she realized that in order to be truly present and able to care for her children, she had to first prioritize herself. This realization came during a crisis when she had to decide between staying in an unhappy marriage for the sake of her children and pursuing her own happiness. Doyle realized that if she stayed in an unhappy relationship, she would only be setting an example for her children that they should suppress their own needs for the sake of others. When she decided to leave her husband and make a new life with Abby, she had to face not only her own fears but also the disapproval of those around her. This decision was based on a deep recognition that prioritizing her own needs would allow her to be a better mother and a more authentic person. Doyle thus began to live by her own rules, which included creating space for herself, her interests and her needs. Doyle also discovered that prioritizing her own needs was the key to caring for others in a sustainable way. When she was able to take care of herself, she had more energy and capacity to be there for her loved ones. She learned that healthy self-love and caring for one's own needs are not selfish, but instead are the foundation for healthy and balanced relationships. Prioritizing her own needs allowed her to discover what truly made her happy and fulfilled. She has learned to say "no" to things that drain her and "yes" to things that enrich her. This approach has brought her not only inner peace, but also deep and authentic relationships with the people she loves.

Use pain as an avenue for growth

For years, Doyle tried to avoid pain through various ways of numbing her feelings, including alcohol and drugs. However, these tools have prevented her from experiencing real emotions and moving forward on the path to living an authentic life. The turning point came when Doyle decided to sober up and face her feelings. This decision allowed her to go through a process of self-discovery where she learned that pain is an integral part of life and can be a source of strength and growth. She realized that every suffering brings an opportunity for a deeper understanding of herself and the world around her. Accepting pain as a path to growth allowed her to confront fears and insecurities that she had long repressed. She learned that pain and discomfort are natural parts of being human, and instead of running from them, she began to use them as tools to overcome inner obstacles. This realization allowed her to live a fuller and more authentic life. One specific example is the experience of her daughter Tish, who decided to make the soccer team. Although she was sensitive and easily upset, Abby encouraged her to face the challenge. Tish's practices were difficult and often painful, but she eventually managed to make the team. The process showed her that pain and effort can lead to significant personal achievements. Doyle also found that accepting her own pain allowed her to better understand the pain of others. This understanding became the foundation of her commitment to social justice and philanthropy. By founding Together Rising, a nonprofit organization that helps people in need, she transformed her pain into constructive energy that brings about change. Doyle's journey shows that pain doesn't have to be the enemy, but can be a teacher and a guide on the path to growth. By embracing pain and using its lessons, we can find deeper meaning, strengthen our resilience, and create a life that is authentic and fulfilled. Pain becomes a bridge to a deeper connection with ourselves and the world, and opens the door to transformation and healing.

Racial Equality

After the election of Donald Trump, racial hatred and violence against people of color increased, which motivated Doyle to become more engaged in racial justice and to begin educating herself about the history and current state of racial inequality. Doyle realized that although she had always believed in racial equality, she had not been actively involved in the fight against racism. While teaching her children about the civil rights movement, she realized that it was not enough to believe in equality - action was needed. In analyzing the racial issue more deeply, Doyle began to uncover her own unconscious biases and social programming that she had absorbed throughout her life. She remembered the racist jokes and messages she watched as a child and realized how deeply ingrained racism was in the culture she grew up in. This process of self-reflection forced her to confront her own racist views and she decided to actively work to eradicate them. Doyle began reading books by authors and activists of color, which helped her better understand the systemic inequality and brutality she faced. She learned about stories of police brutality, unjust incarceration, and poor conditions in immigrant detention centers. These stories opened her eyes and compelled her to become actively involved in the fight for racial justice. Doyle decided to be open and honest about her own journey to understanding racial equality. She challenged others to also face their prejudices and work to overcome them. She shared her experiences and encouraged white women to become allies in the fight against racism. She learned that being anti-racist means actively engaging in the fight for equality and justice, every day. For Doyle, working for racial equality became an integral part of her life and work. Through her organization Together Rising, she helped raise funds to support various initiatives that fought for justice and equality. In this way, she showed that each of us can make a difference and that the fight for racial equality must be a collective effort. Doyle's journey to racial sobriety is an example of how personal transformation can lead to a deeper understanding of societal issues and active engagement in their resolution. Her story is a challenge to each of us to rethink our own biases and contribute to a more just and equitable world.

Build your faith

Doyle shares her journey of how she transcended traditional religious dogma and found her own, deeper sense of spirituality. Doyle was raised as a Christian and has been actively involved in the Christian community throughout her life. However, her relationship with religion began to change when she decided to confess her love for Abby Wambach. With this decision, she faced not only personal challenges, but also disapproval and criticism from religious leaders and the community. Doyle realized that many of the religious norms she had been subjected to conflicted with her personal beliefs about love and justice. She was particularly struck when her pastor claimed that to be a Christian was to believe that homosexuality was a sin. This view made her think about why she should allow someone else to be the mediator between her and God. She decided to seek God within herself, in that deep, compassionate knowing that had accompanied her throughout her journey. Doyle began to spend time each day in silence and meditation, where she connected with her inner wisdom, which she called Consciousness. This inner voice provided her with direction and peace that she could not find in traditional religious practices. Doyle's faith became personal and intimate. She stopped relying on external authorities and began to trust her inner compass. This new understanding of spirituality allowed her to develop an authentic relationship with God that was based on love, compassion, and truth. Although her relationship with God deepened, she became more skeptical of the religious community. Doyle refused to blindly accept religious teachings that required her to suppress her critical thinking and authenticity. Instead, she chose to live according to her own spiritual beliefs, which were consistent with her inner knowing and experience. Doyle believes that faith should be dynamic and personal, not rigid and prescriptive. She encourages others to seek God within and build their own authentic relationship with the spiritual. In this way, we can find true peace and fulfillment that is not dependent on external norms and rules. For Doyle, building one's own faith is the path to freedom and authentic living. Her story is an inspiration to anyone who seeks a deeper sense of spirituality and wants to live in harmony with their true self.

Final Summary

Glennon Doyle's book "Untamed" is a powerful story of self-discovery and self-acceptance. Doyle shares her personal journey from living up to the expectations of others to existing authentically and freely. Through his experiences, he shows how important it is to listen to your intuition, be honest with yourself, and have the courage to follow your heart, even if it means going beyond societal norms and expectations. Her story is an inspiration to anyone who desires a life that is truly in alignment with their own essence and values. Doyle challenges us to dare to break free from inner and outer chains and create lives that are filled with love, courage, and authenticity. Do you have feedback for us? We'd love it if you let us know your opinion on our content! Just send an email to feedback@rewio.app with the title of this book in the subject line and share your impressions!

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