Rising Strong is a gold mine for anyone committed to real, lasting personal growth.
Brené Brown’s honesty and self-examination are both refreshing and challenging. She doesn’t just talk about vulnerability—she lives it on the page, using her own experiences as a case study. Her insights feel personal and accessible, not just theoretical.
One of the book’s most valuable lessons is how we rise after failure. Brown presents a three-phase process called The Reckoning, The Rumble, and The Revolution, which helps individuals confront their emotions, challenge their personal narratives, and emerge with greater self-awareness and strength. Setbacks are inevitable, but growth comes from how we engage with them
A passage that truly struck me reads:
“My rumbles with shame, judgment, privilege, connection, need, fear, and self-worth taught me that it wasn’t the pain or the hurt that made me look away. It was my own need. Act 2 is all about trying to find a comfortable way to solve the problem until those options are exhausted and you have to walk straight into discomfort, the lowest of the low. Helping and giving are comfortable for me. I wanted to solve this issue by doing more of what I already do.”
Reading those words, I recognised myself. When faced with emotional pain or discomfort, my instinct is often to double down on what feels familiar—helping others, working harder, or distracting myself—rather than confronting what truly needs to be faced. Brené’s willingness to walk into discomfort and name it clearly is both brave and instructive.
Growth doesn’t come from avoiding discomfort—it comes from stepping into it fully. When faced with pain or uncertainty, our instinct is often to rely on familiar habits, even when they no longer serve us. Instead of confronting what truly needs to change, we repeat old patterns, hoping they’ll eventually bring different results. But real progress begins when we stop circling around the problem and face it with honesty, courage, and self-awareness.
I also loved how Brené draws wisdom from other writers. Her reference to Anne Lamott’s ‘shitty first draft’ and her own version, the ‘stormy first draft,’ beautifully highlights the messy but necessary process of making sense of our stories. This connects deeply with James Pennebaker’s Writing to Heal, which shows that even 15 to 20 minutes of writing a day can reduce anxiety, trauma, and depressive symptoms, and even boost immunity. Writing isn’t just a tool—it’s a path to healing.
Throughout the book, moments of raw self-awareness jump off the page. One particularly gut-punching moment comes from the letter Brené wrote to Pamela and her boss Sheryl—it’s a powerful reminder of how, even with the best intentions, we can unintentionally hurt others.
Her therapist, Diana, is a quiet but powerful presence, guiding Brené back to herself and helping her uncover deeper truths. Diana’s role reminds us just how crucial compassionate, skilled support is when doing the hard work of healing.
Then there’s the trio of questions Brené poses:
What more do I need to learn and understand about the situation?
What do I need to learn about the people in the story?
What more do I need to learn and understand about myself?
These aren’t just self-reflection prompts—they’re doorways to self-awareness, compassion, and growth.
Another standout moment highlights how 'just because we intellectually understand something, it doesn’t mean we won’t slip up when overwhelmed by emotion. While it’s difficult to confront areas where we feel shame, it’s often even more painful to acknowledge that we’ve used shame and caused others significant pain."
At its core, this work isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about rising with eyes wide open, confronting not only our wounds but also the ways we’ve unintentionally hurt others. It’s about fully owning our stories—mess and all—and embracing the discomfort that leads to growth.
What makes Rising Strong especially powerful is its acknowledgment of privilege. I have often wondered how people without access to therapy or coaching manage to do this work. Brené does not ignore this. She offers practical tools like self-inquiry, writing, and honest reflection, making the process feel doable even without professional help.
Brené work isn’t just about getting back up—it’s about getting real, facing the lowest lows, and building a life rooted in honesty, compassion, and resilience. Her insights offer a must-read guide for anyone serious about personal transformation.
*Rising Strong is available at Exclusive Books.
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