Find Your People

Title: Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World

Author: Jennie Allen

Genre: Self-help, Christian Nonfiction, Christian Living

Publisher: Waterbrook

Source: Library/Own

My review:

I will start by saying while this is Christian nonfiction, it is not preachy. Jennie's answers aren't "find God" or "go to Church" or anything like that. This book is helpful for anyone who is lonely, whether spiritual/Christian or not.

She does put a few Bible verses in, and spoiler alert, closes the book with a prayer. Those could be skipped for anyone who might find them offensive. In her words:

Come close and let me tell you my hopes for us here. I want us to trade lonely and isolated lives that experience brief bursts of connectedness for intimately connected lives that know only brief intervals of feeling alone.

I found this book helpful immediately. I love the conversational writing style and the way Jennie's authenticity shines through. When I almost highlighted the library book, I knew I had to buy this book for myself.

I am believing the lie that I'm destined to be alone and in believing that lie I'm making it into a reality, because I am pulling back and judging those I love, guarding myself from them as if they were the enemies.

Find Your People is not just a book you will read and set aside. It is a call to action. Jennie teaches you how to find your "people" by looking at the circles you are already in. She walks you through "action" steps, for lack of a better word. It makes so much sense, and I wonder why we are not already doing it.

We're all just kind of waiting for connection to find us.

I could sit here all day and gush about this book. I loved it so much that I bought a copy for my two teenagers, and they have started reading it. They both struggle with times or seasons of loneliness, and I believe this book will benefit them. If you or someone you know struggles with loneliness, I highly recommend this book. It might not have all the answers you are searching for, but it will set you on the path to Find Your People.

★★★★★/5

Synopsis:

In a world that's both more connected and more isolating than ever before, we're often tempted to do life alone, whether because we're so busy or because relationships feel risky and hard. But science confirms that consistent, meaningful connection with others has a powerful impact on our well-being. We are meant to live known and loved. But so many are hiding behind emotional walls that we're experiencing an epidemic of loneliness.

In Find Your People, bestselling author Jennie Allen draws on fascinating insights from science and history, timeless biblical truth, and vulnerable stories from her own life to help you:

- overcome the barriers to making new friends and learn to initiate with easy-to-follow steps
- find simple ways to press through awkward to get to authentic in conversations
- understand how conflict can strengthen relationships rather than destroy them
- identify the type of friend you are and the types of friends you need
- learn the five practical ingredients you need to have the type of friends you've always longed for

You were created to play, engage, adventure, and explore--with others. In Find Your People, you'll discover exactly how to dive into the deep end and experience the full wonder of community. Because while the ache of loneliness is real, it doesn't have to be your reality.