Untamed: The Book That Made Me Brave Enough to Come Home to Myself
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you decide to make a purchase. I only recommend books and products I truly love and believe in. Thank you for supporting this space and the work I share!
There are books that entertain you. There are books that teach you something new. And then there are books that wake you up.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle cracked something wide open in me.
I still remember exactly where I was when I read the line: “You are not crazy. You are a goddamn cheetah.” I laughed. I cried. I underlined it five times. Because deep down, I knew I had been caged. I had been quieting my own voice to make others more comfortable. And I was exhausted.
This book didn’t just change the way I thought—it changed the way I felt about myself. As a woman. As a mother. As a partner. As a soul. It handed me the permission slip I didn’t even know I was waiting for. And more than anything else, it made me want to start choosing me.
Feminism That Felt Like Coming Home
Before Untamed, I didn’t fully understand what feminism could mean on a personal level. I thought it was about equality in the workplace and politics (which, yes, of course). But I hadn’t yet connected it to the idea of deeply honoring my own feelings. My desires. My knowing.
Glennon redefined feminism for me—not as fighting, but as returning. Returning to the truth we were born with. The truth we’ve been taught to bury under politeness, people-pleasing, and perfectionism.
That message landed deep. And it’s why I started sharing more of my story on the LoveThySelfies podcast. It’s why Episode 01, You’re Not Behind—You’re Just Becoming, exists. Because I wanted every woman who feels like she’s unraveling to realize she’s actually waking up.
Feeling Is Knowing
One of the biggest takeaways from Untamed was that my feelings aren’t inconvenient—they’re instructions. That idea made me slow down and start listening. I stopped asking, “Is this okay?” and started asking, “Is this true for me?”
That shift changed everything. It’s what inspired the prompts in the LTS Know Journal. I wanted other women to have a place to meet themselves on paper. To see that their voice isn’t too much—it’s the most trustworthy thing they have.
Untamed helped me dismantle the old belief systems I was raised with. It made me realize that I was living a life I had inherited—not one I had chosen. And I wasn’t angry. I was ready. Ready to unravel, to rebuild, and to do it all not for applause, but for alignment.
Becoming a Better Person—for Me
This book invited me to want better, not to prove anything, but because I deserve better. Not to be a better mom, wife, or business owner—but to be a better version of me. For me.
If that resonates, I think you’ll love Episodes 02 and 03 of the podcast, where we talk about chaotic self-love and releasing the need to perform. That shift—from performing to belonging to yourself—is the whole point. And it’s the heartbeat of this first book club pick.
If you’re currently reading Untamed, or you’ve read it before, I’d love to know what part stopped you in your tracks. Let’s talk about it. Let’s journal about it. Let’s heal out loud.
Because this work—the real, raw, radiant stuff—it doesn’t always feel easy. But oh, is it worth it.
Here’s to becoming… untamed.
With love,
Melissa