GIRL, WASH YOUR FACE BY RACHEL HOLLIS
Originally from Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania,
Laura is a Panama City Beach
resident and is the branch manager at
the Panama City Beach Public Library.
She received a master’s degree in library
and information science from
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
and has worked in public libraries
since 2008.
Her reading habits include a preference
for mysteries, autobiographies,
and young adult fiction. Her hobbies
include spending time with her three
children and six grandchildren.
When she is not relaxing on the
beach, she is learning to garden and
teaching herself to play the ukulele.
Reviewed by Laura Laspee
“Girl, Wash Your Face” (2018), by the multitalented Rachel Hollis, is a book that I usually would not have read, mostly because I don’t enjoy self-help books. But, before I even read the first sentence, the title had me laughing and I was intrigued by Hollis’ professional accomplishments. She is the founder of the hugely successful lifestyle website The Chic Site is the CEO of her media company Chic Media, has written seven books, is a wife, and is the mother of four children.
The book’s sassy subtitle, “Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can’t Become Who You Were Meant to Be,” is a clever segue into several chapters that are all preceded by similar statements that Hollis identifies as lies. Telling the story behind the lie, Hollis gives insight about her own solutions and the things that helped her work past the lie. She writes with passion, truth, and boldness about her life and the steps she took to be the successful and centered person she is today.
Her personal philosophy and the key to her success is on full display. Her writing is entertaining and offers helpful advice, such as writing down goals and having a vision board. These tips were certainly helpful to me as I was getting my master’s degree and working full time, and they transfer perfectly to life in the real world.
Hollis’ approach is engaging and she doesn’t pretend to be anyone but herself. She writes about the joys and tears of adoption, her weight, and the trials and tribulations of writing. Her words are like mini cheerleading sessions dedicated to helping women, or “her tribe,” as she calls her readers, to be authentic. She believes that every person is worthwhile and has a purpose in their life.
This book has made me acutely aware that we all need to challenge ourselves to be the best selves we can be. Hollis writes about each person having the power to change their lives, how we all need to be our own hero, and stop waiting for others to fix things. She writes about taking hold of our lives and being honest about who we are and what we want out of our lives.
Her message is simple, funny, blunt, and instructive. She says, “Get up, right now, scrub away the tears and pain of yesterday, and start again… Girl, Wash Your Face!”