In We Can Do Hard Things: Answers to Life’s 20 Questions, Glennon Doyle joins forces with her wife Abby Wambach and her sister Amanda Doyle to create what they call “a guidebook for being alive.” The book is built on the foundation of their beloved podcast of the same name, transforming its raw honesty and compassion into a written tapestry of wisdom, vulnerability, and shared humanity.
Life, as Doyle reminds us, rarely offers easy answers. Instead, we are handed questions that evolve as we grow: Who am I really? Why am I like this? How do I return to myself when I feel lost? How do I face the hard things without losing hope? This book takes those questions head-on, weaving together deeply personal stories, reflective essays, and wisdom gathered from more than a hundred thinkers, artists, and activists.
The voices in this book are as diverse as they are inspiring. From Brené Brown’s insight that “belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are,” to Jane Fonda’s reminder that “it’s really important to get comfortable being uncomfortable,” each contribution feels like a guiding star. Other featured thinkers include Roxane Gay, Elizabeth Gilbert, Esther Perel, Cheryl Strayed, Brandi Carlile, and even Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Together, they form a collective chorus reminding us that while life is hard, we do not have to navigate it alone.
Reviewer Sharon Orlopp described reading the book during a time of grief and reflection, finding in its pages both comfort and clarity. For her, the book was a gentle companion that encouraged stillness and self-compassion. “Nobody survives by accident,” one passage reminds us. “Survival is a creative act.” It is this creative act of resilience that defines the heart of Doyle’s work.
At the same time, the book has not resonated with everyone. Some readers, like Jan Peregrine, found it overly long and occasionally repetitive, noting that it speaks most strongly to those seeking personal healing or self-acceptance. For others, it may feel too motivational or broad. Yet, even these critiques acknowledge that Doyle’s voice continues to offer solace and permission to those who need it most.
Melanie Briscoe beautifully captured the spirit of the book by calling it “a treasure,” especially in its physical form. She recommends the printed version over the digital or audio editions because of its thoughtful design, handwritten notes, and creative typography. As she notes, the book feels like a living journal a reminder to pause, reflect, and return to what matters most.
Ultimately, We Can Do Hard Things succeeds not because it provides definitive answers but because it invites readers into an ongoing conversation. It reassures us that wisdom is not something we acquire from others but something we rediscover within ourselves through connection, courage, and compassion.
This is not a book to rush through. It is a book to sit with on quiet mornings or long nights, to highlight, to return to again and again when life feels heavy. Its message is both simple and profound: You already have what you need to face hard things. You just have to remember it.
We Can Do Hard Things: Answers to Life’s 20 Questions is a heartfelt, empowering, and beautifully crafted reminder that strength is found not in perfection but in persistence, love, and truth.
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