Creating Myself

Be patient and tough. One day this pain will be worth it. Life isn't about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself. Good looking out.
--Mia Tyler

Every one in a while I am sent books to review on this very blog. It is a perk to working in publishing for sure. I read most of them and review some of them. Creating Myself by Mia Tyler showed up about a week ago and I was excited to read it. I love her dad's music; like her modeling. I was looking forward to learning more about her.

What I didn't expect was to learn more about ME. Mia, just like many of us, has struggled and is still struggling. I didn't know that the 30 year old daughter of a rock star and the 39 year old daughter of a construction worker would have much in common. But, we do.

Like me, Mia's parents weren't around as much as she would have liked. She has been through self hatred and addiction. Me, too, girlfriend. She isn't the size 2 that some people think she should be. She has been through divorce. She has made poor choices. Check. Check. Check.

What I was reminded by reading Mia's memior is that we all deserve to be loved; but we can't be loved by someone else until we love ourselves. Her story is sad and triumphant all at the same time. Her words are raw and poignant and ones we can all learn from.

Creating Myself
Mia Tyler
Atria Books [www.simonandschuster.com]
ISBN 978-1-4165-5861-3, $15.00