You're Completely Normal: Trading Where You Think You Should Be For Where You Want to Go

by Shannon Leyko

Have you ever found yourself using the words “by now”? I should be married by now. I should be settled into a career by now. I should have already written the book, had the babies, and learned how to cook something other than boxed macaroni.Former Miss New York and current mom of two littles living in Alaska, Shannon Leyko knows what it’s like for life to go a bit sideways. By the time she was a 24-year-old college graduate working as a dancing banana in Times Square, she realized she should probably brace for more career curveballs than once envisioned. And relationships? Well, she was in all of them that never worked until, suddenly, she found herself engaged to a guy she’d only known for two months. Dissecting the nine most prominent facets of life that can make even the most successful person feel off track—from parenthood to homeownership—Leyko unpacks the pressures of cultural uniformity and the inevitable departure from lofty personal timelines. ABOUT THE Leyko is a longtime blogger, and former executive assistant, office manager, reality TV scout, waitress, dancing banana, and theme park performer. She lives in Southeast Alaska with her husband, two children, and adorable maltipoo named Noma. Find more of her writing at www.theexpertbeginner.com. @ @theexpertbeginner

376 pages, Paperback

Published November 22, 2020

Reviews

[Larry H · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up.

If you're looking to learn (or perhaps remember) how to trade where you think you should be for where you want to go, You're Completely Normal is for you.

We’ve all done it. At some point in our lives most of us have thought to ourselves, “I thought I’d be [fill-in-the-blank] by now.” I usually do it around milestone birthdays—30 was the toughest for me—but I definitely find myself uttering those words every now and again. (And if you've never done that, I tip my cap to you.)

As we all inherently know, there’s no prescribed path for anyone, no “right way” to be a spouse, a partner, a parent, an employee, a child, a person of faith, a friend. Yet all too often we get caught up comparing our journey and our lives to others, and social media adds to that pressure. (How many of us have thought, “I should have as many followers/friends as that person, I’ve been here longer!”)

Shannon Leyko knows these feelings all too well, and she encapsulates how she navigated (and still does) those feelings of fear and inadequacy, of measuring up to others, in this funny, insightful, and moving new book.

At first glance you might think this former Miss New York and mom of two is the last person who knows what it’s like to feel off-track, but you couldn’t be more wrong. In this book, she looks at nine overarching areas, including career, relationships, health and fitness, parenthood, friendship, and faith—where many tend to worry about how they measure up.

Maybe you’ve heard all of this before. But this book serves as a great reminder, a course correction of sorts, a reinforcement that no matter where you are and what path you’re on, you can find your own way without worrying about what others are doing. You're Completely Normal would make a great gift for the New Year!

Thanks to Shannon Leyko for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review!

Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.

Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.

See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.

Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I consider myself fortunate to have become FB friends with Shannon at some point during college, because her posts about her family are now my absolute FAVORITE to read. (Do yourself a favor and friend request her now.) Shannon is such a witty, entertaining writer so I was eager to read her first book, even though I didn't consider myself the intended audience. Intended-audience-notwithstanding, I really enjoyed Shannon's writing (as expected) and (unexpectedly) found myself citing different sections of the book repeatedly in conversations with friends! She's got some great advice here, especially in the later chapters. And to reach the end of a book and feel you're sharing in the celebration with the author? Sign me up!

[Myranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not entirely sure how I found myself following Shannon on Instagram but I started following her while she was in the final stages of editing this book. I remember her tagging the woman who made the hat she wears on the cover for making that one AND a second one!

We have an unspoken bond being Coastie spouses but the amount of Harry Potter references she makes in this book (and y’all they all fit and make sense) have literally made me laugh out loud! All to the point that I’ve told my husband that if we get stationed with them, we will become BFFs!

Shannon’s wit and humor make this a fun read. Take a couple days and watch Shannon’s IG stories so you can hear her voice so while you’re reading this, you hear her voice like I did. Makes it so much better! The advice and tips she gives are incredible and said with so much love!

[Leighton Mascari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book is like curling up on the couch with a glass of wine or coffee and chatting with your best girlfriend. I laughed out loud, especially as I heard Shannon’s voice in my head as I read her words. Her quick wit and intelligent banter is entertaining, while her stories and insights are meaningful and pure of heart. Must read when you need some extra connection after a long year of quarantines and missing old friends.

[Leslie Hepburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s like Shannon was sitting there in person talking to me every morning over coffee; her ability to write intelligently while remaining casual and “chit chatty” is a true gift. So many times I felt encouraged, heard...and then other times I thought “wow I never thought of it like that, but so true!” I’ve already given this book to so many of my friends, the gift that keeps on giving!

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like getting together with your best friend and a bottle of wine! Shannon’s writing is insightful and entertaining, making every chapter worth reading whether the topic applies to your current life or not.

[Abby Jacoby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I had points where I was laughing out loud while reading. I loved the diversity of each chapter. One of my favorite sections was on friendship. I was inspired with moving soon to ensure to make my circle. With also having a military husband I could relate to moving some where with no family close. This is a great read.