Life is messy. Love is messy. And being human? That’s the messiest of all.

Glennon Doyle’s Carry On, Warrior is an invitation to embrace life in all its beautifully chaotic, brutally honest, and heartbreakingly real moments. With raw vulnerability, humor, and unfiltered wisdom, she reminds us that perfection is a myth and that true strength lies in showing up—imperfect, uncertain, and still willing to love.

This book is not about having it all figured out. It’s about learning to carry on *despite* the doubt, fear, and failures. It’s for the warriors who keep showing up, even when life tries to break them. It’s for anyone who has ever felt like they weren’t enough—only to realize they always were.

Here are nine profound lessons I learned from Carry On, Warrior that changed how I see love, pain, and the messy magic of being human.

1. Vulnerability Is Not Weakness—It’s Strength

We often think we have to be strong by hiding our pain, but Glennon teaches that true strength comes from honesty. Admitting when we’re struggling, reaching out for help, and saying, “Me too” when someone shares their pain is where real courage begins.

2. Life Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful

So many of us wait for things to be \"just right\" before we allow ourselves to feel joy. But life is always going to be messy. The key is to stop waiting for perfect moments and start embracing the magic hidden in the imperfect ones.

3. Love Is a Daily Choice, Not Just a Feeling

In relationships—whether romantic, familial, or friendships—love isn’t just about the butterflies or grand gestures. It’s in the small, ordinary moments when we choose patience over frustration, compassion over judgment, and forgiveness over resentment.

4. You Are Not Your Worst Mistakes

Glennon is open about her struggles with addiction, self-doubt, and the pain of past choices. She reminds us that our past does not define us. Growth, healing, and redemption are always possible if we allow ourselves to keep moving forward.

5. Your Story Has Power—Tell It

We often silence our stories out of fear—fear of judgment, rejection, or not being understood. But when we share our truths, we create space for others to do the same. Vulnerability connects us. Hiding isolates us.

6. You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup

So many women, especially mothers, feel like they must give endlessly to others, often at the expense of their own well-being. Glennon challenges this, reminding us that taking care of ourselves isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. When we nurture ourselves, we show up better for the people we love.

7. Pain Is a Teacher, Not a Punishment

When we experience heartbreak, loss, or failure, it’s easy to feel like life is against us. But Glennon encourages us to lean into pain, to let it teach us rather than destroy us. Pain is often the birthplace of transformation.

8. Stop Trying to Be Who the World Wants You to Be

Society places endless expectations on us—be smaller, be quieter, be less demanding. But Carry On, Warrior reminds us that we were never meant to shrink ourselves to fit into other people’s narratives. We are meant to take up space, live boldly, and be unapologetically ourselves.

9. Carry On, Even When It’s Hard

The title of the book itself is a lesson: no matter what life throws at you, keep going. Keep showing up. Keep loving. Keep trying. Even when it’s messy. Even when you don’t feel ready. Even when you’re afraid.

In conclusion,

Glennon Doyle doesn’t just write a book—she hands you a lifeline. Carry On, Warrior is a reminder that you are not alone in your struggles and that life is still breathtakingly beautiful, even when it feels impossible.

This book made me laugh, cry, and most importantly, believe that I am enough—just as I am. If you’ve ever felt like life is too hard, too chaotic, or too much, this book is for you. Because no matter what, we must carry on.