You Don't Owe Anyone: Free Yourself from the Weight of Expectations

It’s one thing to talk about how you got somewhere but it’s another thing to show somebody else how to get there and I’m so thankful that she was kind enough to share how. From page one she captured my attention with situations and mind games I found myself stuck playing and contributing to since I was a little girl. I was worried when she said she would be teaching us through stories about her life because I usually lose interest in that approach. In most self help books that take this route, I fail to see how the story has anything to do with me and/or what the book is trying to accomplish. Additionally, If I’m seeking help, I need practical advice, things I can really do right now. This author was excellent in telling her story and connecting with this reader; she had my attention the entire time she was talking about her life as though I was sitting down having coffee with her. I’m usually very skeptical about personal growth/self help books because before I can even get half way through the book I realize the author had no intention of helping me at all; they just go on to talk about themselves, their success, and then I come to realize I’ve just made them another buck in their fortune they’re telling me about. I sincerely believe this author put a lot of thought and care into this book. She has included so much valuable information in this book that I feel like I’ve paid too little for her help. I have not completed all of my ‘no-owe invitation’s so this is my review without even having reached my deepest healing.

I’m a homeschooling mom of three who reads constantly in preparing to teach my children, so I have almost no time to read for pleasure in this current phase of life. And yet, as soon as I finished the first chapter of Caroline’s book, I knew that I had to make the time to finish it. Because Caroline’s stories from her life are that compelling, and the wisdom she shares is that important.I couldn’t put this book down because of the beautiful, vulnerable writing, but even more so because it gets to the very core of a universal human struggle—constant striving, whether to please others, or to reach the next milestone of success, or to achieve perfection in some area of our lives, without allowing ourselves rest or the time to question why we’re exhausting ourselves by striving for such things to begin with.Instead of giving a checklist of how one can overcome this struggle, Caroline gently and honestly shares her hard-won wisdom, allowing you to learn from her experiences and use them to change your life for the better in whatever way makes the most sense for you.If you’ve been striving in one way or another for a long time in your life, and you’re tired, I couldn’t recommend this book more! I know that I’ll be reflecting on Caroline‘s wisdom for a long time, and re-reading those passages that especially hit home for me again and again.

I didn't get very far into Caroline McGraw’s book before I stopped cold on these words:“We don’t go gently; instead, we drive ourselves mercilessly.”Caroline’s words, her story, were not my story. Her experiences were not my experiences. Yet, the story she tells belongs to many of us.I knew from the first time I heard Caroline speak that a powerful connection lay hidden beyond the miles and years that separated us. What I found in You Don’t Owe Anyone was bits and pieces of my own life and a story that I kept close because to share would expose the shame I carried tied in a knot inside my heart.As Caroline instinctively knew, “IF YOU WERE THE good child and you’ve kept up your “good” status into adulthood, the secret truth is that you’re tired.”And yes, I was tired.If you are looking, as Caroline writes, “to bridge the gap between the head and the heart,” she has laid out a map for your journey. Caroline offers the gift of her story, but more importantly, tasks, strategies, and tiny steps to becoming more of yourself no matter where you find yourself today.You don't have to do it all, really.

I loved this book and want to share it with so many! As a coach, I have a few clients that need this book YESTERDAY - so I'm grateful to get my hands on it!Caroline does a beautiful job of weaving her own personal story in along with prescriptive practices that she personally benefitted from. While the topic is heavy, the reading is easy in her story format, and you can quickly get lost in not only the story, but in how it relates to your own life. This is an excellent book for anyone struggling with being that "perfect" overachiever. You have permission to be human, and the more you can step into your own greatness by setting those boundaries to keep you thriving, the more you give others the freedom - and the inspiration - to do the same.

Caroline does an incredible job of weaving her powerful storytelling ability in with her deep knowledge of personal development, trauma healing, and tools for self-empowerment. This book is a rich collection of stories from her own life, shared with authenticity and vulnerability, curated specifically to offer readers a clear pathway to freedom. You Don't Owe Anyone takes the reader into some very dark moments, and then carries them through with practical and powerful tools, back into the light. Expect to savor this book one bite at a time, as there is so much to learn, integrate, and enjoy in the reading of it.

Really enjoyed reading this book. It helped a lot with my people pleasing and gave me permission to prioritise myself.

Caroline writes from a raw, genuine place - you know she understands the struggle of over-givers & others afflicted with this deeply rooted malady. She's been there, and she offers a variety of ways to find freedom. I will be re-reading more than once; working thru my list of 'owe' to let go!

The books gives you the impression Caroline Garnet McGraw is telling her story to you in a very lively way. But then she gives very interesting analyses of what happened, followed with help and solutions you could use in your own life. I very much enjoyed reading the book.

Caroline Garnet McGraw shares candidly about her own journey shifting from a life of internal pressures to experiencing life with freedom. A good read for anyone who fears disappointing others and desires more openness in their relationships.