When I first told a few people Rachel Hollis was coming out with a new book, it was met with a common retort: “Isn’t she canceled? Who would give her a book deal?” Fair. But here’s the thing—if we’re all flawed human beings, all seeking growth and trying to do better, shouldn’t we believe in second chances? And third ones? And 38th ones?

I have screwed up, been tone deaf, ignorant of my own privilege—you name it. And I am so, so grateful to the people in my life who have extended grace to me when I’ve been less than. So yes, Hollis has had her share of controversies and issues, but I felt like I’d pick up her latest book, What If You Are the Answer?, from my local library and give it an honest read.

As someone who relishes in journal prompts, with the sort of weakness for self-improvement books that most people devote to YA fantasy novels (though I’ll happily read those too), her hook ensnared me: Each chapter is a question to ask yourself. It’s like a devotional, minus the Scripture or religious undertones, based on lessons she’s learned—and continues to learn—over the years. Including, yes, those “canceled” ones.

She’s upfront that she wrote the book during the most challenging years of her life: Going through divorce, miscarriage, an internet cancellation and the emergence of entire Reddit threads devoting to analyzing-while-hating her every move. I felt for her. And while it felt like there were a few chapters where the anecdotes ran wild, and the thesis of that section got a bit lost, overall, the book was insightful, disarming and funny. Much like the original book that made her famous (Girl, Wash Your Face).

Different chapters will resonate with different people, depending on the age and stage of life you’re in. For me, it came down to these two:

• What Must You Let Go Of?
• What Would You Do If You Could Not Fail Succeed?

Let’s break ’em down.

1. What Must You Let Go Of?

That first question is just an excellent question to ask yourself at the start of a new year or season, but the chapter title omits a key portion of the question, which Hollis elaborates on: What must you let go of to be the person you want to be?

So often, when we set goals, we add things to our plate. Almost as often, what we really need is to eliminate things. Cut through the clutter to get where we need to be. Realize that saying yes to everything means we’re on a path to burnout…and, all too often, doing most of it mediocrely. It’s something I’ve written about before (“renewal by subtraction“), but man, is it easy to forget.

2. What Would You Do If You Knew You Could Not Fail Succeed?

Ooh, now this is a juicy one. We all know the original phrase, and Hollis is quick to note that this revise actually comes courtesy of marketing guru Seth Godin. He initially asked it, which she rephrases as: Which pursuit would make you so damn happy just to be involved in (or even scantily adjacent to it) that you’d do it with or without success?

Maybe it’s the Enneagram 9 (with strong 3 flareups) in me, but I struggle with finding my worth in others’ approval. I’m working on it, and as a result, I often dream of pursuing things with the thought of scaling them to be recognition-worthy. Why have a hobby if it isn’t a side hustle? A business? A potential empire?!

As you can see, I was a prime candidate for the negative aspect of girlboss culture—and, ultimately, burnout. But what I loved about this question was how it immediately evoked a few images of side projects I’d been working on—things I couldn’t wait to delve back into when the kids were asleep, that nobody was asking me to do (or remotely interested in me doing, to be honest), but yet, I loved them.

A prime example: I’ve been waffling for a while on pursuing candle making more seriously as a hobby, largely because—who can burn so many candles?! What kind of weird hobby is that?! Why waste the time and money?! Remember Ryan Murphy’s takedown of candle vloggers on Glee? DO YOU WANT TO BE THAT WEIRDO WHO WAS SO OUT THERE EVEN GLEE MOCKED IT? Wait, why do I care what anybody else thinks, Mr. Murphy included?

So yeah, I’m going to keep making candles, even if I don’t become the next Jo Malone. And I’ll keep taking yoga and Pound classes, even if I can never master an inversion or tackle an actual drum solo. I’ll review my favorite bakeries, simply because I love visiting them and trying new sweets, then sharing them with anyone who might be searching.

I may not succeed, but those little pursuits—no matter how weird—make life richer.

You can find What If You Are the Answer? on Amazon, at many libraries (or using the Libby app) and at most major bookstores.