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major_tmrw 's review for:
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
As a disclaimer: I am not a regular reader of uplifting autobiographic work, and would place works of that nature on the bottom of my priority list.
I loved all the content, research and message of this book; however absolutely could not stand the bildungsroman despite following Johnston’s newsletter and already knowing the broader strokes of her personal journey. And thinking that she’s swole (and tough) as fuck!
Sometimes you love a writer for where they’ve arrived and the journey might not align with you. And dude, that’s fucking okay!
L
I found certain anecdotes difficult to get through in the same way you’d just get annoyed by somebody’s personality at a party. Nothing personal, sincerely just not vibing with the other person.
I found myself often annoyed telling myself “just fucking punch him,” at least a handful of times, so it was incredibly gratifying when Johnston finally fucking clocked one of these buffoons.
I would have sooner if I was sincerely any of the background characters in her life. Girl, I wish you had more girlfriends just kicking these people’s butts!
Which goes hard for her as a writer because she was willing to be as fragile as possible in crafting an earlier version of herself.
She wasn’t afraid of characterizing herself in the most infuriating, nervous way humanely possible — because on the other side she was stronger, and could truly lift herself out of circumstances she’d previously piss herself and hide over.
I honestly just think it’s simple: Sometimes you’ve got to lift the lightest and boldest versions of yourself simultaneously to really get your hardest voice out. Just like she did with that that 300lb deadlift!
I love the newsletter, I’ll buy whatever she writes next, I am parasocially-proud of the person she has become because, dammit, I would lose my mind fighting that internal voice and pulling those anecdotes from the aether.
I loved all the content, research and message of this book; however absolutely could not stand the bildungsroman despite following Johnston’s newsletter and already knowing the broader strokes of her personal journey. And thinking that she’s swole (and tough) as fuck!
Sometimes you love a writer for where they’ve arrived and the journey might not align with you. And dude, that’s fucking okay!
L
I found certain anecdotes difficult to get through in the same way you’d just get annoyed by somebody’s personality at a party. Nothing personal, sincerely just not vibing with the other person.
I found myself often annoyed telling myself “just fucking punch him,” at least a handful of times, so it was incredibly gratifying when Johnston finally fucking clocked one of these buffoons.
I would have sooner if I was sincerely any of the background characters in her life. Girl, I wish you had more girlfriends just kicking these people’s butts!
Which goes hard for her as a writer because she was willing to be as fragile as possible in crafting an earlier version of herself.
She wasn’t afraid of characterizing herself in the most infuriating, nervous way humanely possible — because on the other side she was stronger, and could truly lift herself out of circumstances she’d previously piss herself and hide over.
I honestly just think it’s simple: Sometimes you’ve got to lift the lightest and boldest versions of yourself simultaneously to really get your hardest voice out. Just like she did with that that 300lb deadlift!
I love the newsletter, I’ll buy whatever she writes next, I am parasocially-proud of the person she has become because, dammit, I would lose my mind fighting that internal voice and pulling those anecdotes from the aether.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Domestic abuse
I had wished there had been more discussion of mental hunger, but that’s a direct result of Johnston not having an intervention or professional diagnosis.
I find she covers it all beautifully without the jargon or need for it to explore orthorexia as she gets through it all, and doesn’t experience a relapse.
The Author’s Note might have served better as a disclaimer or forward for people who currently are recovering from eating disorders or sensitive to tracking/weight mentions.