January 1, 2021
A Review of Glennon Doyle’s Untamed
By Ryan Hammel
Untamed by Glennon Doyle changed my life, and it will change yours too. Without spoiling too many of the hidden gems, sparks of knowledge, inspiring advice, or as we’d say, the “yellow things,” I’ll provide some context. Untamed is an intimate memoir – in each chapter, Doyle tells a personal story that has a deeper meaning to it, or message for her audience. It is ultimately the story of how Doyle learned to uncage her true identity. She displays how women should unleash their inner power and strength. It is the key to finding yourself, learning to trust yourself, your instincts, your soul, and your body. This novel is an electrifying wake-up call and a must-read.
I grew up an avid reader, but unfortunately, as the demands of high school took over, my favorite hobby fizzled into a requirement. It was only when a close friend of mine insisted that I read this book that I decided to give it a try. Exactly as she expected, I could not put it down. Reading this the summer before entering my freshman year of college here at U of M was eye-opening. Although I have always prided myself on being emotionally in touch and passionate for exploring all life has to offer, Doyle’s brilliant words enhanced my self-awareness to an entirely new level.
An enduring theme is female empowerment. In today’s world and throughout history, there are specific stereotypes about women – how we should act, behave, and present ourselves. Doyle emphasizes that we are entitled to do what we want to do, and not what is expected of us. Using her own life as an example, she encourages us to break free of our “molds.” Another memorable idea Glennon introduced is how society instilled in us that if we are not happy, something is wrong with us. Most humans aren’t taught how to be uncomfortable with our emotions, rather, we have learned how to deflect and ignore them. As a result, we tend to put on a fabricated facade. Doyle reiterates the importance of how we, as humans, need to accept that sometimes things fall apart before they get better.
Whether you read this snuggled up on a rainy Sunday afternoon, or listen to the audiobook while on a walk, I urge you to give it a try: there are endless lessons to take with you. Throughout high school, highlighting important passages has been ingrained in me – when I finished Untamed, the pages were a glowing neon yellow. This beautifully composed collection of stories and self-reflection has driven me to change my mindset on how I go about my daily life. It serves as a constant reminder to stay true to myself, pave my own path, listen to myself, tune our societal standards, be confident, and live my life to the fullest.