You Do You: The Inspirational Guide to Living the Life You Want is Charlotte Greedy’s first book, which is classified as a self-help book but is very much more than that. It is what I like to think is an honest discussion about life. This book covers everything from the authors’ early childhood, relationships, family, mental health, body image, parenthood, work, and more. If you are ready for some relatable content that will make you smile and, in my case, ugly cry in equal measure, then pick this book up!
I really loved everything about this book; it’s so raw and honest that I was so proud of myself for not crying… until I got to that last chapter – wrecked me! I relate to this book a lot and I wish I had this book in my early teens, but even now it is so lovely to know you are not the only one that feels the way you do. I obviously did not relate to the parenthood sections, but I enjoyed the insight nonetheless. Even though the topics are hard to read at times, Charlotte Greedy still adds humour. I don’t know whether it’s to make us, the readers, smile or because she needed it herself.
The book itself is beautifully made and I loved every quote that was shown off. I must have noted at least sixty-five quotes that I adored. Narrowing them down was tough. The author uses many helpful tips and tricks when she’s low that I will definitely try out myself; also I loved the DIY ideas. The book also has a few writing exercises such as: ‘The five things I’d like to say thank you to my body are…’ and writing a letter to your younger and older self that I have not worked up the courage to do just yet. I might have to tackle it with a glass of wine as Charlotte Greedy did.
I thought that bias may affect my rating because I love Charlotte Greedy and have followed her on Instagram for years, but in all honesty, there was not a single thing I did not like about this book. I know for a fact, that I will revisit this many more times over the years because it is truly a book for any age. As I said, I wish I had something like this to read when I was struggling in my early teens and every other time since then. Therefore, I rate this book Five out of Five stars.
I could not wait to get my hands on this book, and I wasn’t even slightly sure what it would hold. In saying that, I will mention that there are some Possible Triggers: Self-harm, suicide and mental health topics. I’d still recommend this book to anyone from early teens onwards- just be prepared for tears. I know this book is classed as a self-help book and that a lot of people do not like that genre, but this book is so much more. Personally, I think it’s more of a book about love; The author’s love for the family she has made, love for the community that has supported her but also love for herself- every part of herself- and I think that is what makes this book so beautiful to read.
Favourite Quotes
“You can’t paint over your past.”
page 9
“The most important thing at any age is to know how to tell the difference between what you want and what other people and society expect from you.”
page 15
“We all have a tendency to see ourselves as a collection of problems, -“
page 118
“I’m not failing if I don’t always love every part of my body every single day.”
page 136
“I am devastated for that girl who thought life wasn’t worth living anymore.”
page 173
“But do you know what? If we get too big for our boots, why don’t we just go and buy some bigger fucking boots?”
page 205
Finer Details
Title: You Do You: The inspirational Guide to Living the Life You Want
Author: Charlotte Greedy
Pages: 248
Publisher: Bantam
Publication: 2023
Language: English
Rating: 5/5