How Becoming by Michelle Obama Gave Me Hope
Last Updated on July 29, 2024 by Ingrid
When I first started this blog, I wanted it to be about everything in my life that makes me happy and hopeful, let’s say, zen. Travel is my bread and butter, yet reading fuels my inner peace of mind. Becoming by Michelle Obama is a book that gave me hope, a feeling that helps you march on despite adversity.
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How Becoming by Michelle Obama Gave Me Hope
It was February, and we had decided to skip the tropical vacation of the year, which usually took place around this time, and replace it instead with a road trip through Transylvania and some more days in my former boyfriend’s (present-day husband’s) hometown, Oradea.
Even though we planned many activities and spent quite some time on the road, I cannot imagine one vacation without a book (or more).
Since I had seen it all over the place, needless to say, I was curious what all the fuss was about. Thus, I took it with me on vacation, putting it on the list of my books to read on vacation.
I must admit I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did.
And yes, even though it is not a short read, with every page turned, I wanted to read more because I could relate to it, and it made me hopeful: Michelle Obama’s Becoming.
Why Hopeful?
Because her book was an extension of her husband’s 2008 slogan: “Yes, we can!“
We can achieve anything we set our minds to as long as we want it, and we work hard for it. No matter where we come from, without the privilege, just by holding on to our beliefs, hard work, and, in many cases, compromise.
Because yes, in order to get where you want to be, compromise is necessary, no matter what field of life you are in.
You don’t have to be into politics to read this book. Although it touches on some political subjects, they are only reported as memories so that the reader can see Michelle’s current view on them.
I loved how candidly she exposed her life and the struggles of growing up in a family that had little but love and support.
It surprised me to read about her professional struggle. For me, she was a role model when it came to strong, smart women who worked and studied hard to climb the ladder. And then what? She did not relate to that anymore and had the courage to change something, cementing her role model status for me.
Her strength to step away and make a decisive career change gave me hope that one day, I could do the same. (Later edit: I did, and five years later, I couldn’t be happier about it.)
I think that eventually, everyone will like and take on the things that they can relate to further because we are all different, and that’s the most important thing.
Just read it and see what you relate to most. I’m certain you’ll find something!
My Favorite Quotes from “Becoming“
“Now I think it’s one of the most useless questions an adult can ask a child—What do you want to be when you grow up? As if growing up is finite. As if at some point you become something and that’s the end.”
“Do we settle for the world as it is, or do we work for the world as it should be?”
“For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.”
“Friendships between women, as any woman will tell you, are built of a thousand small kindnesses… swapped back and forth and over again.”
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