how to start living out your purpose right now, with the help of own your everyday

Hey y’all,

Let’s get real.

Recently, I have been in a tough spot.  Last week, I returned home from my freshman year of college, and I have mixed feelings about it.  

No matter where I am, I never feel content.  In Philadelphia, because of a past event, I never feel safe. Every single second of the day, a turbulent mixture of fear, adrenaline and paranoia runs through my bloodstream.  

On the other hand, back home in Virginia, I’m bored out of my mind and craving independence.  

Needless to say, these past few days I have felt pretty unsettled, but have been unsure what to do about it.

That was until I read Jordan Lee Dooley’s Own Your Everyday.

Now, I know what y’all are thinking.  I’ve been promoting this book for the past month on Instagram, so of course I am going to praise it.

In all honesty though, this book was exactly what I needed.  As I sat on my porch reading this book with a cup of tea in hand, it felt like I was talking to a friend.  One of those raw and real and sincere and amazing conversations that only occur once in a blue moon.

In Own Your Everyday, Jordan talks about how young women feel so much pressure to be perfect and have every aspect of their life mapped out.  Here’s the catch—we put that pressure on ourselves, no one else.

Jordan explains to us, just like a friend would, that it is perfectly okay—and even normal—to be imperfect.  She also gives us the tools to prepare for disappointment, overcome our insecurities, and start living out our purpose immediately.  

The last part resonated with me the most.  Especially this one quote from the book:

‘I don’t know what you’re waiting for, but I do know that if you’re focused on what you’re waiting for, chances are you’re wasting the opportunity to live life the fullest right where you are.’

Ever since I was young, I have been looking forward to college.  In fact, my entirety of high school was spent preparing for exams and writing essays which would dictate which university I went to.  I was too concerned with my future plans (which I didn’t even end up following) to focus on the present. That resulted in high school being not-so-enjoyable.  

Now that I’m in college, I find myself fantasising about the future.  What possible internships I’m going to get, where I’m going to travel abroad, different career avenues, etc.

It’s an endless cycle.  When I’m 40, I am going to be daydreaming about retirement.

I don’t want that.  

Honestly, it wasn’t until I read Jordan’s words that I realised it’s possible to break out of that mindset.  

For me to start living my life to the fullest, I don’t need to hit any milestones.  I can start today.

You probably won’t have the same realisation as me while reading Own Your Everyday, but I’m sure this book will hit home for you too.  

I recommend this to all young women going through a transitional period of life, or struggling with perfectionism or recovery.

Thanks to Waterbrook & Multnomah for the free paperback copy!  Grab your own online or at your local bookstore.

Make sure to stay updated by joining my mailing list and following @booksandbrie on Instagram!

—Milly xx