Life Starts Now: How to Create the Life You’ve Been Waiting For

by Chanel Dokun

What if you had permission to stop striving and start thriving? Join Certified Life Planner and Relationship Expert Chanel Dokun as she gives you the tools you need to find profound joy and fulfillment in building a new life rooted in your unique purpose. Women are drowning in pursuit of the "good life." We chase external markers of success--building enviable careers, pursuing romantic relationships, and crafting the picture-perfect life--in attempts to soothe the aching suspicion that there must be more to life. But our efforts only leave us stressed, lonely, and tired of trying to answer the "Why isn't this enough?" Chanel Dokun has been there, too. She spent the first half of her life focusing on achieving and attaining the lifestyle she thought she wanted, but she found herself feeling disappointed, disillusioned, and like she'd lost herself while running after success. She realized that the world's definition of accomplishment was not a true measure of a life well lived, and she needed to redefine success and become the architect of her own life. Using practical strategies, anecdotes from her work coaching women around the country, and therapeutic examination, Chanel Dokun teaches women how to create the life they've been waiting for, Life Starts Now shows us that when we release the search for significance and recover a redemptive view of an ordinary life, we can experience profound joy and fulfillment--and embrace the wild wonder of the lives we've been given. Praise for Life Starts Now : "If you are at a crossroads or a tipping point; if you are successful, yet empty; if you feel sad about the way life turned out and need to chart a way forward, look no further. You have found a trustworthy guide in Chanel. She is one of the wisest people I know. Life Starts Now is timely, accessible, and exactly what you need as you evaluate your priorities, pursuits, and purpose. You don't have to suffer in silence or settle for less. You don't have to overwhelm your heart or schedule looking for significance. You can find contentment where you are, on the way to where you are going. This book will help you embrace the truth and create the future you need." --Ashley Abercrombie, podcast host and bestselling author of Rise of the Truth Teller and Love Is the Resistance

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published August 16, 2022

Reviews

[Meg Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an advance copy of Life Starts Now, but still can’t wait to hold the real hardcover in my hands!

I think a big problem with those of growing up in the 80s and 90s was how everything seemed possible and we were told we were all special unicorns. It puts tremendous pressure on us-women especially-to only want huge, star-studded, impressive lives. In reality, we’re all pretty normal-and Chanel’s book let’s us celebrate and dive into that. We’re all only given one life, so why can’t we make it the life we want? Chanel guides us to look at who we really are and what is around us to build and sustain a real, deep, meaningful life. I’ve been in her Women of Consequence sessions before, and this book is like having all the access to the wisdom she’s gleaned from working with these women and her clients. She is someone you want to listen to, and if you follow through with it, you’ll live a more complete life because of it. (Even if you reclaim the morning at 10am!)

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

TBH I'm not gonna through and do everything step-by-step in her process ... but I found this book inspiring nonetheless, especially as I read it in tandem with a book about the "likability trap" we women often find ourselves in. I found her metaphor about "drowning in shallow water" to be very relatable, and I still giggle at the image of her little 6-year-old bathing-suit-clad bottom pointing upwards in the swimming pool.

Favorite quote: "If you cannot feel satisfaction in ordinary everyday things like taking a walk, cooking a meal, or playing with your kids, life will pass you by." (actually from The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel A. van der Kolk)

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books that found me and I am so glad it did! If you’re sick of hustle culture and needing to turn every passion into money, I absolutely recommend this book. I’ll be returning over and over again.

[Gina Bergman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this lovely book, Dokun, a life coach, proceeds to walk the reader through her own coaching session. Her insights are sharp; her writing is gorgeous. A truly thoughtful, thought-provoking read!

[Kristi Oloffson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is THE practical guide you need to remake your life from the inside out.
I seriously promise you Chanel is the real deal - she walks the walk and writes with clarity and practicality on what to do next. And this isn’t a fluffy prosperity gospel message that life will be perfect either.
Instead it’s true map and guide for women - how to show up to life with all the broken and beautiful parts existing just as they are, and how to best steward your life to help the world.

[Ryo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway.

The title and cover of this book are completely misleading. Nowhere on the front cover does it say that the book is aimed specifically at Christian women, or at least women who are fine with frequent references to God. As a non-woman and a non-Christian, I am not in the target audience at all, but there was no way to tell that from the front cover. The majority of the book is actually advice (fairly generic advice, at that) that's not specific to women, and yet the author constantly addresses the reader assuming that they are a woman. I'm not sure why she does this, even if the number of men who read this kind of self-help book is small; why exclude a whole group of people when it's easy not to, and you haven't been upfront about doing so in the title? Certainly, there are serious women-specific issues with regards to sexism in the workplace and society in general, and there are a few mentions of that in the book, but the vast majority of the book works for people regardless of gender. Also, the frequent references to God were distracting, and as a non-Christian, just turned me off of everything. And unnecessarily, too, since again, the advice could work even without the God references. Along the same lines of distractions, there are frequent references to random pop culture things sprinkled in alongside citations of serious psychological texts. The tone was all over the place. Sentences like "By the end of this book, I'm hoping you can begin to value the incredible woman God created you to be" exemplify what I found off-putting about this book. I never would have entered this giveaway to begin with, had the title or cover had any indication that it wasn't for me at all. It felt like blatant false advertising.

[Baylee Mauro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I finished reading this book, it’s still sitting out open on my desk with underlines, notes, smudged with tears, dogeared pages, my hand drawn maps and lists, being used like a textbook. This is the book my friends and I have been wishing for for years. When we sat around having those conversations about wishing we could put our finger on our purpose, knowing we were more than our careers but not knowing what that meant tactically, and figuring out what it looked like to live as whole humans out in the world, we needed this guide.

This is not a frothy rah rah self help book that tells you that you have the same hours in the day as Beyoncé so get out there! This book is brass tacks on putting words and actions around what makes you you and how to live out the life you were designed for.

If you care about living your life with intention and integrity and faithfulness, you need this book.

[Tiffany C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good, refreshing read. I discovered this book through a social media posting of an interview the author did with Oprah. I listened to the audio and followed along with the actual book so I could highlight things I wanted to take away. The book flows like talking to a good, caring, happy, helping friend. The author is a very experienced in her field and gives a tremendous amount of helpful advice that I look forward to implementing as I go forward in my purpose. I appreciate her friendly approach and incorporation of pop culture and biblical references. I feel motivated to create the life I’ve been waiting for.

[Eleanor Biddulph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it’s the time of my life or my career but I had trouble really getting into this one. I was excited about the topic but the author’s style just didn’t flow right for me. It bounced between informal conversational writing and more academic psychology information. Throw in an occasional Christian reference and you’ve got it. Life Starts now might have been more applicable 30 or so years ago. If you’re trying to find your way, give it a try. It could be helpful.

[Mary Hirt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay book. Another book that would be helpful for someone just beginning their self help journey. The reason I only gave 3 stars is because nowhere did I see anything even hinting that this is a Christian book. I don’t mind a few comments here and there in books, but she quoted so many bible passages and referenced God so many times. She talked about finding our purpose in God quite often as well. I feel like a book like this should definitely state it is Christian.

[Amandalynn S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspective... based on the teachings of many but pulling their notes together and lessening the requirements so that it's less daunting but keeps you on the right track. A few biblical references. A few notes from a variety of authors...

Some of these self-help books feel overwhelming with shame and blame... but not this one. She encourages you to aim high and find the truest version of you... overall, it was an enjoyable read.

[T Lorene]

Chanel waste no time getting to task. Her voice is a beautiful mix of the black auntie who is going to set you straight, the friend who you can laugh over a glass of wine with, and the therapist who creates a safe explorative space.

I simultaneously clutching my hypothetical pearls while nodding yes…I’m tired and something has to give.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book breathes life into me! Life Starts Now prompted me to observe myself in ways I wasn't paying attention to, and asked me the questions I wasn't asking myself. These revelations are stirring up a new aliveness in me, and Chanel's gentle nudging to get into that new life has me feeling ready to go!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is written from a Christian perspective, though anyone could benefit. It gives inspiration for putting thought into our best selves, and reminders of our value. Also, the author describes the great benefits of daily journaling, planning out who we want to be, how we can define our purpose, and how we can maintain excitement for living out that purpose.

[Shaeleigh Beaudry · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re able to maintain and replace the term “God/lord” with your own version of a higher power or fate, etc - you’ll do fine making your way through this book.

Had a lot of great journal prompting thoughts and questions throughout the book, liked all the analogies, stories, and various viewpoints though.

[Amy Earls · Rating 5 out of 5]

My life really is starting now because of the work God did in me through this book. Actually, it already had started, but now I have a greater understanding of who I am and how God desires to direct me. I'm ready to be exactly and fully me!

[Sharon Anderson]

DNF 56%

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way more religious than I was prepared for.

[Ayni Hailicka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn’t love all the talk about god, but once I moved past that, I enjoyed it. Thanks for gifting to me, Julie.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate Ms. Dokun's efforts and there were parts of this book that I enjoyed and found valuable, such as "Reclaim Your Mornings". On the other hand, much of the book felt geared toward younger women, and Ms. Dokun's reading of this book at times felt flippant (I listened to the audiobook). The main part of the book that I have issue with is the section on fear, anxiety and the body's fight or flight response. Ms. Dokun greatly oversimplifies our choices - as if reading bible scriptures on why we should not fear will automatically soothe a fractured nervous system (and yes, I am a Christian and have read all of them - so I am not knocking the concept entirely). The problem is, those of us with significant childhood trauma cannot make it go away so easily, as the nervous system can become very easily triggered at the least opportune moments - moments which we never CHOSE and physiological responses we never wanted. I was in my mid-fifties when I began experiencing profound trauma responses (such as waking up in the middle of the night with my heartrate racing at 110 bpm or higher and feeling like my heart would explode). I didn't CHOOSE to experience this physical embodiment of stored trauma (that I would have previously denied having), and I don't think Ms. Dokun has any idea how relentlessly difficult it can be to overcome a nervous system that is so easily hijacked without warning. It is a constant daily struggle to hustle for calm, peace and a normal resting heart rate, and I hope she never has to work that hard.