Rate: 3.5/5

Medium: Audiobook

Overview (Spoilers Abound):

A few weeks ago, one of my girlfriends sent out a group text to our close group encouraging all of us to pick up Girl, Wash Your Face. Despite previously having never heard of this title before, Kelsey’s positive endorsement moved this read toward the top of my TBR list. While I was waiting for the library hold to come available, I started seeing this book everywhere from other reviews to the checkout line in the grocery store. A short read at approximately six hours, I finished this book relatively quickly compared to the marathon stories I’d recently embarked upon. As with many motivational based reads, Hollis offered a plethora of advice, some of which I found applicable to my own life, whereas much of it didn’t resonate on the same level. Furthermore, books such as Girl, Wash Your Face are not meant to have every aspect of the book reverberate, which is totally fine because every life is thankfully different and unique. Even if some of her key points might not have impacted me deeply, she offered well articulated perspectives that provided a novel view to well explored life myths that permeate throughout society. I find myself still mulling over Hollis’ recommendation to stop lying to ourselves. The key example in my life that easily comes to mind was many times I have canceled attending a yoga workout or going for a run in lieu of something better (aka sitting on the couch to catch up on one of my TV shows). Another prime example centers around any time I’ve ever tried dieting, because you know I love my pizza. I’m sure I will be pondering this advice from Hollis and assessing how to implement holding myself accountable in future endeavors. Another fascinating viewpoint of Hollis was centered around being a workaholic and the importance of finding time for oneself. Even now, I’m sitting on the couch with Luke, and I can’t just relax and enjoy the TV show we are currently watching. If I’m not working on my long to do list, (in this case drafting this blog post), I feel anxiety regarding wasting valuable time. Perhaps this is not a big deal because I find my relaxing outlet in hot yoga, however it is still important to recognize this tendency in myself. Hollis does tie in her strong faith throughout this read, but it is expressed in a way that is supportive, constructive, and up lifting. Overall, Girl, Wash Your Face was a generally optimistic read that is infused with humor, while having tough talk interspersed throughout that will leave a reader pondering their own life decisions and goals.