I Don't Know Who I Am Anymore: Restoring Your Identity Shattered by Grief and Loss

by Carole Holiday

No stranger to heartache, Carole Holiday artfully braids together her story of overwhelming loss with biblical insights and delicious recipes from the little cottage on the lane--the cooking school she once owned. Carole's journey offers hope that after the ravages of grief and despair, God can bring good back to life through faith, food, and fellowship.

How do you survive when everything that gave meaning to your life suddenly disappears? Grief can spark the question, God, when will you see me? Carole Holiday has weathered heartbreaking loss and the despair that whispers, "I don't know who I am anymore." Through her trials, including divorce, job loss, and heart surgery, she has learned that deep grief carves space for a deeper ability to love.

Readers who have been shredded by suffering, who have lost hope in God or in life being good again will

unpack what it means to be made in God's image;learn how to redirect doubts and despair toward a God-filled identity and purpose;understand that loss offers an enormous capacity to feel more deeply;discover that even though rejected by those they most loved, they still matter to God; andbe reminded of the truth that sadness and faith are not mutually exclusive. 

In her unique, lyrical writing style, Carole shares her story of grief and explores biblical teaching that offers a God-given purpose after pain. As an extra dose of comfort, she seasons her story with savory recipes from a cooking school she once owned, where she learned firsthand the healing that takes place around the table. Carole's humor and warm encouragement gently remind readers that God has good for them--even in a season of severe loss.

Genres: Nonfiction

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2023

Reviews

[Lori Staples · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartfelt Christian book on loss and grief and finding yourself again! I heard Carole on a podcast and she said something about how we can grieve a lost identity which really resonated with me. I was in a serious funk and didn’t know why and when I started hearing her speak about the things that can trigger loss/grief, I knew I neeeded to read her book. This book really helped me get past a loss of my identity after changing positions in my company. A year and a half ago I was promoted and I just wasn’t finding my feet in my new position. I was also watching someone else be the “me” I was every day for the previous 17 years- so understanding that I was actually “grieving “ my old identity helped me overcome my grief and move forward. The biblical support in the book really gives you verses to hold on too to carry you through as well. I haven’t looked back anymore and now understand why I was feeling this way! I highly recommend this book for anyone going through a loss in life- a loss of a loved one, a divorce, or simply a loss of who you once were!

[Georgia Herod · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When our circumstances unravel, how do we hold on to truth, to hope, to who we're meant to be? After Carole Holiday experienced a series of heartbreaking losses, she realized something else had slipped away: her identity. Grief had stolen her sense of self, leaving her feeling unmoored and empty. But it was not the end." No matter the degree of loss, pain, and suffering, Holiday moves forward and shares choices that were helpful to rediscover who she was and is.

But God.

She writes thirteen chapters of practical and wise spiritual strategies for doing what's next as healing and wholeness return, Holiday urges readers

--to embrace the realities of sadness and faith,
--to reset their foundation in the image of God,
--to redirect doubts and despair toward a God-filled purpose,
--to realize how deep grief carves space for a deeper ability to love, and
--to reclaim their value, their identity, and their incredible worth.

Thoughtful suggestions. I often paused to understand, reflect, and apply. Very readable, lyrical, and full of promise and hope.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have all experienced Grief and Loss at times in our life. We often tend to bury it within and it deepens and tears us up inside. We lose ourselves by burying the grief and loss. Carole Holiday has written an AMAZING book that shows how to unburden that grief and loss and most importantly discover our SELF again. Grief will be different for everyone and it isn't always grieving the death of loved ones, many times grief can be from other circumstances in our lives.

I really enjoyed this book from the very first Chapter. I LOVE that Carole is open, honest, and insightful. I laughed and cried reading Carole's personal stories. I was also encouraged by her experiences and how she lifted herself from her burdens. I also LOVE that she includes recipes from her own kitchen in the book. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with finding their TRUE self in the midst of many life happenings. GREAT BOOK!

[Sheri Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very encouraging!

Carole Holiday spoke directly into my heart. She helped me lighten my weight of all I was carrying and give it all to Jesus. I am ready for my ‘Next’!!!

[Emily Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wouldn't turn you away from this book but I'm not sure if I would recommend it.
overall a good book though, nothing crazy