I read this book earlier this year but was unable to do a review.I can say without a shadow of doubt that Brené Brown is one of my favourite authors – her books reveal so much authenticity and vulnerability.She exudes so much braveness and faith in humanity.

Braving the wilderness is a growth and personal development book that digs into embracing our authentic selves and finding meaningful connections in a world that is divided.
This she highlights might mean having to stand alone and face criticism for standing by our truth – a place she calls the wilderness.
She also emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, compassion, and courage in developing meaningful connections.In this book, we’re taken on a journey to find our way to each other – to make the hard and brave decisions.

Belonging is something we can all relate to. We’ve all at one point experienced a yearning to be a part of something that is meaningful and real. For some people, that might have led to becoming someone else in order to fit the mould.

True belonging requires us to be our authentic selves, and sometimes, being ourselves means we must find the courage to stand alone.

Brené mentions that participants of her study share their concerns that the only thing that binds humanity together is shared hatred or disdain. This part came as a blow to me, but then it carries so much truth.
To be connected not by love or trust but rather by our shared hatred for something is heartbreaking. On the other hand, I can understand why this is so. The world, as we know, isn’t always kind and can be very cruel on some days.


Brené mentions that we get to this place of loneliness, and divided into so many factions and due to fear. Fear of being hurt. Of vulnerability. Being criticised.
I also believe that it’s an act of self-preservation/ protection. Why do we protect ourselves from something? Same answer,fear.

What’s better than simply agreeing to disagree ?
There’s a feeling that comes with wanting to be right at all cost. Hence, in conflict situations where neither parties are willing to be wrong, we settle on agreeing to disagree. That’s where it ends.
In Braving the Wilderness, we’re encouraged to go a step further to have difficult conversations with the other party. Why do they think the way they do? What influenced their value or belief? Why is this topic important for them. The goal here is not to agree with them but to increase understanding, respect, and deepen connection.

This book is for anyone who is struggling to be their authentic selves in a society that expects them to be something their not. This book is a call to embrace our vulnerability. Smile at the stranger. Have that difficult conversation. Take the first step. Speak truth to bullshit. Brave the wilderness.

 “Stop walking through the world looking for confirmation that you don’t belong. You will always find it because you’ve made that your mission. Stop scouring people’s faces for evidence that you’re not enough. You will always find it because you’ve made that your goal. True belonging and self-worth are not goods; we don’t negotiate their value with the world. The truth about who we are lives in our hearts. Our call to courage is to protect our wild heart against constant evaluation, especially our own. No one belongs here more than you.”

Brené Brown, Braving the Wilderness