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My Journey Of Self-discovery
Where Have I Been All My Life is a memoir about your journey of self-discovery and transformation. What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I felt compelled to explore many universal themes and ideas as I wrote this book. Through my journey of self-discovery I encountered many life lessons including learning to take responsibility, releasing the need to be liked by everyone, the power in forgiveness, how to conquer my fears and true acceptance of self. I wasted decades existing instead of living. One of the most important things I wanted to highlight in my memoir was the behaviour no-one should tolerate. I want my readers to feel empowered and able to clearly identify toxic and unhealthy relationships. I want to show others there is always a way to escape feeling stuck, without feeling guilt or shame. It felt important to provide hope for the future as well as a way forward for those experiencing trauma or anxiety as a result of life’s experiences and conditioning. Being close to fifty with no children, I also felt strongly about being a role model for a not-so-conventional life. I want to show young women an alternate path, so they don’t feel the need to live up to outdated expectations such as being married or having children by a particular age (or ever). I would love my book to be a source of comfort to empower my readers to live an authentic and purposeful life.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest thing for me to write about was my greatest shame. For years I was paralysed with fear that others would learn about my secrets and judge me harshly. In my book, I openly share deeply painful, personal experiences I never intended to disclose. Perfectionists always want to portray an image of themselves they think will be accepted by others, but by being transparent and showing the beautiful and ugly parts of me, is what I believe, makes ‘Where Have I Been All My Life?’ relatable. It’s rare for a perfectionist to share her greatest shames and mistakes so publicly, which allows my readers to connect deeply with my story. I am vulnerable on purpose because it gives permission to others to own their truth and uncover their unique voice with confidence.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
I wish someone would have told me to take notice of my heart’s desires rather than others people’s expectations of me. I was brought up in an era of people pleasers. My dreams and aspirations always came second to what I felt I ’should’ do and what I thought would be more acceptable by my parents, teachers, and society. The more I learn, the more I grow. I now have the power to change my behaviour and subsequently get closer to my authentic soul. It’s taken me decades to find my voice and I am now practising speaking my truth instead of saying what I think people want to hear.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
I would be beyond ecstatic if my readers took away the realisation they are not alone. I hope to highlight our humanness and how we all make mistakes, we all experience suffering and we all face obstacles. I wasted a lot of energy trying to make it appear as though I had it ‘all together,’ but I’ve learnt this energy is better served helping others rather than being competitive. My story is an ordinary one, not an extraordinary one. A universal story of self-love and connectedness with the intention of helping us all feel less alone.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Lisa grew up as ‘Little Miss Perfect,’ a star student – smart and capable. She had big plans for her life.
Why then, by her mid-thirties had she settled for mediocracy? What had robbed her of her dreams? Why was she in a safe and unfulfilling job? Why was she in a toxic relationship with a controlling man she knew she didn’t want to end up with?
After a shocking wake-up call she finally took action and in the process discovered that she had been existing instead of living for too long. Plunging on an inward journey, she explores her childhood conditioning, intergenerational trauma and limiting beliefs which reveal how much time she squandered putting up, giving up, and shutting up.
Where Have I Been All My Life? explores the ways in which ‘good girls’ make valuable mistakes on the path to true adulthood, but when we release fear and pain, we become empowered to claim freedom and authenticity.
In this story of one woman reaching for a life beyond the silencing gates of shame, Lisa becomes unstuck and squeezes more joy and excitement into the last ten years than in her preceding thirty-seven.
And who knows what surprises the universe has for her when she stops trying to be the person everyone expects her to be and starts being the person she was born to be?
‘If this book has ended up in your hands, I trust you are meant to read it.’
Where Have I Been All My Life
A memoir offers a unique perspective on a particular time in one’s life from the author’s point of view. In Where Have I Been All My Life, Lisa Benson shares her personal journey of self-discovery and transformation. The author candidly reflects on her life, admitting to making mistakes, and shares the valuable lessons she learned through therapy. This inspirational book is organized into four sections and thirty-four chapters, each addressing a specific challenge that Benson faced and the decisions she made to create a more fulfilling life. While the book may seem like a lengthy read at 300 pages, the language is clear and accessible, making it a smooth ride for readers. Benson’s experiences are thoughtfully sorted, labeled, and organized into neat units that are easy to follow.
One of the notable aspects of the book is the author’s artful use of flashbacks to provide context and history to the next area to be addressed. As Benson shares her story, she encourages readers to look back and evaluate their own experiences to gain insights and grow. Benson’s memoir serves as a guidebook, offering introspection and evaluation without being prescriptive. She recommends readers, particularly women, free themselves from behavior patterns that proved damaging in her own experience. The author identifies ways in which even seemingly positive habits could prove to be based on or create insecurities and pain.
Where Have I Been All My Life is a cautionary tale that readers can learn from. However, Benson’s journey of self-discovery and transformation offers valuable lessons on how to turn roadblocks into doorways for growth. It’s an informative read that anyone can benefit from.
Pages: 239 | ASIN : B0BKQR4WD3
LITERARY TITAN 