To Call Myself Beloved: A Story of Hope, Healing, and Coming Home

by Leisse Wilcox

This is a story of coming home to yourself. To Call Myself A Story of Hope, Healing, and Coming Home offers the permission you’ve been looking for to simply be yourself and accept that with courage, pride, and grace. It really is that simple, even if it is that complicated. Too many of us are tethered to the expectations of other people, living with the feeling that we need to look outside ourselves to feel whole and loved, that we need to keep “the mask” on and hide who we really are; we read book after book, see therapist after therapist, take course after course, all with the intent to “fix what’s broken,” sending us on a quest to continuously solve a problem that isn’t real with a solution that doesn’t exist. And it leaves us dissatisfied, constantly wanting more. The secret is, we’re not broken, we are healing. We are learning to sort through the messages of what we’ve been told are true versus what we believe to be true, and we are figuring out how it aligns with what we want out of our life. Equal parts self-help, memoir, and cozied up on the couch talking to a trusted friend, To Call Myself Beloved is informed by lessons learned through navigating the most cataclysmic events of one woman’s life, and realizing throughout each one that “I am still okay.” Let this book guide you through the process of adulting—finding clarity in what you want, confidence in who you are, and the courage to stay true to both, even if that means making big changes in mindset and behavior—simply through the rebellious act of being yourself. This is the chaos of becoming. Can you love yourself enough to come home to yourself, and learn to call yourself beloved? Yes, you f*cking can.

456 pages, Paperback

Published August 2, 2020

Reviews

[Read-Well Reviews]

Can you love yourself enough to get started?
Yes, you f*cking can

Growing up my mom always had to remind me that, "you can't change the event, but you have full control of how you react". I struggled with this. Reading Leisse' book I was reminded that I am in full control of how I react to any situation, and I'm in full control of my thoughts. Trust me - it is easier said than done! But the best part of this book is it doesn't just talk the talk, it forces you to walk the walk.

The book weaves through her childhood trauma, divorce and cancer with true honesty to really show how far Leisse has come using her own advice, journal prompts, mantras and steps. It then stops you from reading when you think, "great, but I can't do that" and forces you to journal, dream, imagine or create. Insert Taco Tivity here. Exercises that help you understand yourself, your motivations, where you want to be, and who should be next to you as you grow. Trust me! There is always a good time to start the work, but now more than ever, this is such a deep dive into the work to let go and really start living and healing.

I highly recommend Leisse' book (and podcast!) to everyone. I walked into an International Women' s Day event 3 years ago and she was a panelist I've followed ever since. Even on that day when I connected with her story, she hadn't been through half the work that I read in the book. Reading her journey and doing the work alongside the book will inspire you!

[Jamie]

I’ve read 4 chapters so far and can’t wait to get through the rest! The idea of emotional alchemy is a must read if you are looking to level up!