Exploring Life's Tough Questions: Insights from 'We Can Do Hard Things'

IOL News

20-06-2025

A soulful roadmap for navigating life's toughest questions, 'We Can Do Hard Things' weaves powerful insights, raw vulnerability, and humor into a guide for living with courage and connection.
A soulful roadmap for navigating life's toughest questions, 'We Can Do Hard Things' weaves powerful insights, raw vulnerability, and humor into a guide for living with courage and connection.
What stood out to me was how each author offered a unique view on strength and healing. Glennon Doyle shows that courage means showing up, even when it's hard. Abby Wambach shares the value of discipline and inner teamwork, drawn from her time as an athlete. Amanda Doyle adds depth by showing how asking tough questions can lead to personal growth and real-world change. Together, their voices offer encouragement to stay brave, honest, and committed.
I chose to engage with this book by answering its twenty questions myself because it felt less like a wise friend telling me what to do and more like a mirror reflecting my own thoughts, fears, and hopes back to me. This approach made the experience personal and transformative, allowing me to connect authentically with both the material and my own journey.
This powerful guidebook is created by three remarkable women who are not only bestselling authors but also award-winning podcasters and activists. Rather than offering easy answers or advice, this book invites us to explore life's hardest questions through honest self-inquiry.
We Can Do Hard Things: Answers to Life's 20 Questions by Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle invites us to face those questions head-on with radical honesty and compassion.
The 20 Questions and My Honest Reflections
1. Why am I like this? I am the sum of my experiences, choices, and the ways I've learned to cope. Every part of me has a history and a reason for being.
2. Who am I really? I am a person in progress—always learning, always changing, always trying to be true to myself beneath all the labels and expectations.
3. How do I know when I've lost myself? I notice I've lost myself when I stop listening to what I need and start living for what others want. When I feel numb, disconnected, or restless, it's a sign.
4. How do I return to myself? I come back to myself by being still, spending time with my dogs, or doing something that makes me feel alive. I check in with my feelings and allow myself to be honest.
5. How do I figure out what I want? I pay attention to what excites me, what I look forward to, and what brings me peace. Sometimes I ask myself: if no one else had an opinion, what would I choose?
6. How do I know what to do? I rarely know for sure. So I trust the next small step, listen to my gut, and remind myself—clarity loves action, even if it's messy.
7. How do I do the hard thing? I remind myself why it matters, break it down into manageable steps, and let myself ask for help if I need it.
8. How do I let go? Letting go is a process. I practice loosening my grip little by little and remind myself that holding on often hurts more than releasing.
9. How do I go on? I focus on just the next breath, the next step. I let myself believe that things can get lighter, even if only a little.
10. How do I make peace with my body? I treat my body with kindness, listen to its needs, and try to appreciate what it allows me to experience. I remind myself it's my home.
11. How do I make and keep real friends? I show up as myself, try to be honest and present, and make space for others to do the same. I nurture friendships with time, care, and openness.
12. How do I love my person? For me, loving my people such as my dogs, my friends and my family means being present, showing affection and making time for connection.
13. Sex. Am I doing this right? Sexuality is a lifelong experience for everyone. It evolves with age and experience. Desire awakens differently in each of us and there's no single right way—only what feels true and respectful for me.
14. Parenting. Am I doing this right? Though I'm not a parent, parenting weighs heavily on my heart. I care deeply for my nieces and nephews and often wonder if I'm doing enough to support them. I'm reminded that the greatest gift might simply be my willingness to be present, open, and patient, a reminder that love is the foundation even when I don't always know the right move.
15. Why can't I be happy? Happiness isn't constant. I remind myself it comes in moments and it's okay to feel everything else too. I try to notice the small joys.
16. Why am I so angry? Anger often shows up when something matters to me or when I feel unheard. I try to listen to what my anger is telling me about my needs or boundaries.
17. How do I forgive? Forgiveness is a journey. Sometimes it means letting go of resentment for my own peace even if I can't forget or excuse what happened.
18. How do I get unstuck? I get unstuck by changing something small—my routine, my scenery, or my thoughts. Sometimes just taking one step helps me find momentum.
19. How do I feel better right now? I pause, breathe, move my body, or spend time with my dogs. Even a small act of kindness towards myself can help.
20. What is the point? The point is to be here, to experience life fully, to love and be loved, and to keep growing—even when it's hard.
How This Book Stands Apart
There are countless self-help books out there, but this one stands apart because it doesn't pretend to have all the answers. Instead, it honours uncertainty and invites you into an ongoing conversation with yourself. The authors share their vulnerabilities openly, making their message feel deeply authentic and relatable. The mix of perspectives from writing and sport adds richness and shows how courage and growth can look different for everyone.
Simply put: this book doesn't hand you answers; it hands you the courage to keep asking the questions that matter most.
The Power of Self-Inquiry
Self-inquiry is the heart of this book and the engine behind real change. In a world that pushes quick fixes and external validation, self-inquiry asks you to slow down and truly listen to your inner life. It helps you understand your patterns, needs, and desires without judgment.
This deeper awareness allows you to make choices that align with your true self rather than reacting out of habit or pressure. Self-inquiry is not about solving everything once and for all—it's about cultivating a lifelong relationship with yourself based on curiosity, kindness, and courage.
Who Is We Can Do Hard Things For?
This book is for anyone wrestling with life's big questions, those moments when you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or searching for more meaning. If you are tired of quick fixes or motivational fluff and want something real, honest, and reflective, this book is for you.
*We Can Do Harding Things is available at Exclusive Books.