Viola Davis’s memoir, “Finding Me,” is a masterpiece of vulnerability. She holds back nothing in her gut-wrenching account of the journey to becoming the powerhouse she is today. This is not a glamorous tale of fame; it is a raw and unflinching journey of self-discovery and self-love. It’s a constant reminder that for others to see you and appreciate you, you must first see and appreciate yourself.
She takes us on a chronological journey from the devastating poverty and trauma of her childhood all the way through her adult life as an award-winning actress. She spares us no punches, and her recollection of her childhood is incredibly heartbreaking. This is perfectly encapsulated in a powerful quote from early in the book:
“Memories are immortal. They’re deathless and precise. They have the power of giving you joy and perspective in hard times. Or, they can strangle you. Define you in a way that’s based more in other people’s tucked-up perceptions than truth.”
This philosophy—of confronting memories to reclaim her own truth—is how she survived. Her courage and determination shine bright on every page. It’s the courage of confronting painful memories head-on and refusing to be defined by her circumstances. You’ll find yourself clapping for her every accomplishment because she let her guard down for us, her readers, and said, “here this is me, no fluff.” This book didn’t just make me empathize with her; it made me reflect on my own struggles with self-worth and identity. I seriously stopped and asked myself if I had put in enough effort to Find Me. It is an incredibly introspective read.
If you want a reminder of how strong the human spirit can be, I highly recommend you read “Finding Me.” Don’t just read it to finish it; read it and let it hit your soul. Let it sit with you for a while, and begin your own journey of finding yourself and your purpose.
PS, If you’ve read her memoir,I’d love to know your initial thoughts. If you haven’t read it, do you plan to add it to your TBR list? Drop a comment and let me know!
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