What do you think?
Rate this book
Don't Wear Shoes You Can't Walk In: A Field Guide for Your Twenties
Life in your early twenties is an exciting time—but it can also feel chaotic, filled with new adventures, relationships, and emotions. You want the years ahead to be full of opportunity, but how will you find your way? It is possible to maintain a strong sense of self while you experience all you are about to go through—moving, working, loving, losing, quitting, building, and more. You just need a little help.
Written for anyone just starting out or suddenly starting over, this field guide—part advice book, part journal—will help you discover the very important yet not so obvious lessons to be learned in early adulthood. In these pages, Michelle Douglas shares learnings from her own life and ten-year journaling practice alongside thought-provoking prompts with valuable lessons like . . .
the weakness isn’t necessarily where the leak is
surround yourself with people who are willing to lift while they climb
you can’t change the shape of a piece to force it into your puzzle
don’t go looking for love, go looking for things you love to do
it’s what you bring to the table, not how long you’ve been sitting at it
The biggest learning of all will be how to recognize and record lessons in the future. Equipping every twentysomething with the tools they need to enrich their life, Don’t Wear Shoes You Can’t Walk In is an accessible, indispensable guide to surviving and enjoying early adulthood.
Written for anyone just starting out or suddenly starting over, this field guide—part advice book, part journal—will help you discover the very important yet not so obvious lessons to be learned in early adulthood. In these pages, Michelle Douglas shares learnings from her own life and ten-year journaling practice alongside thought-provoking prompts with valuable lessons like . . .
the weakness isn’t necessarily where the leak is
surround yourself with people who are willing to lift while they climb
you can’t change the shape of a piece to force it into your puzzle
don’t go looking for love, go looking for things you love to do
it’s what you bring to the table, not how long you’ve been sitting at it
The biggest learning of all will be how to recognize and record lessons in the future. Equipping every twentysomething with the tools they need to enrich their life, Don’t Wear Shoes You Can’t Walk In is an accessible, indispensable guide to surviving and enjoying early adulthood.
248 pages, Paperback
Published April 5, 2022
29 people are currently reading
4476 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 17, 2022
(Didn't read this all in one day, just updating it now)
A self-help book if you're working and having your mid-twenties crisis. I won't spoil it but the final piece of advice was special for writers.
A self-help book if you're working and having your mid-twenties crisis. I won't spoil it but the final piece of advice was special for writers.
January 10, 2023
2.5 !! Not my typical read lol but girly and I had a lot in common! She works in advertising as an AM and lived in Annapolis/Atlanta :) used this as my New Years resolution/goal setting/reflections journal prompt! Few helpful little tidbits
May 4, 2022
This was a cute and thought-provoking little book of lessons. While there were quite a few lessons that I felt were obvious, it's important to to take a step back and remember everyone has different experiences. So maybe those lessons are important for others (and perhaps my favorite lessons are "obvious" to plenty of others.) There were quite a few lessons I really wished I had learned earlier in my twenties. And quite a few that were really pushed me to reflect on some things in my own life. Lessons like:
"Give a person a chance for four seasons..."
"Ask about what is good or what is best."
"We often like things that remind us of things we already like."
I'd recommend this book for young women in college in particular as there is alot of good advice for just starting your career.
"Give a person a chance for four seasons..."
"Ask about what is good or what is best."
"We often like things that remind us of things we already like."
I'd recommend this book for young women in college in particular as there is alot of good advice for just starting your career.
December 16, 2024
I generally don’t read from the self-help genre as a rule. I mean, why pick up a book with lessons that I would never in 1 million years be able to apply to my own life? And yet I came to own this book because I impulsively bought it from a shop in Annapolis. The author is local and the book was signed. As a bit of a book collector, I was super excited about the prospect of having a signed book on my shelf, so I bought it.
The thing is, I also made a deal with myself that I would read all the books on my shelf this year. And so I read this book.
The reason it is getting three stars is because I feel like it was well written with very minor editorial mishaps. I was also able to pull a quote that I liked. Finally I like the idea that this book was written by a woman for a woman.
However, I really felt like this book had a very ableist undertone. Many of the lessons, recommendations, or “rules,” would be completely unrealistic for anyone with “invisible” disabilities (if you know, you know, but if you don’t know, I’m talking about ADHD, ptsd, anxiety, autism, etc.). Now, I understand that you’re supposed to read self-help and then take everything from the book with a grain of salt. And yet, I felt as if I had to “unseason” myself in order to attempt to apply the majority of the rules laid out in this book. So while it is clear that this book was written for a woman, it is also crystal clear that woman is not anyone like me.
It also rubbed me the wrong way that some of the lessons included relying on God. To each their own, but what happens when you have a reader who doesn’t fall within the Christian diaspora? Are they supposed to just ignore those rules? Is this book supposed to lowkey convert people if you’re asking them to believe that, “God and the whole universe are involved,” when it comes to the way your life unfolds? I don’t know. This was a minor thing, but, I wanted to mention it anyway.
If you’ve made it this far, you must be wondering why I gave this book 3 stars. Well, the short version is that I want to support women and help them succeed. The longer answer is that I notoriously give reads 4-5 stars, so having this rating fall below that threshold is enough for me. I don’t wanna penalize the author just because I am not their intended audience, even though they said/hoped as much.
So if you are a 20-something year-old Christian woman who is completely able, you might actually be able to learn a thing or two, and maybe even enjoy this book.
— 26 y/o woman, Veteran.
The thing is, I also made a deal with myself that I would read all the books on my shelf this year. And so I read this book.
The reason it is getting three stars is because I feel like it was well written with very minor editorial mishaps. I was also able to pull a quote that I liked. Finally I like the idea that this book was written by a woman for a woman.
However, I really felt like this book had a very ableist undertone. Many of the lessons, recommendations, or “rules,” would be completely unrealistic for anyone with “invisible” disabilities (if you know, you know, but if you don’t know, I’m talking about ADHD, ptsd, anxiety, autism, etc.). Now, I understand that you’re supposed to read self-help and then take everything from the book with a grain of salt. And yet, I felt as if I had to “unseason” myself in order to attempt to apply the majority of the rules laid out in this book. So while it is clear that this book was written for a woman, it is also crystal clear that woman is not anyone like me.
It also rubbed me the wrong way that some of the lessons included relying on God. To each their own, but what happens when you have a reader who doesn’t fall within the Christian diaspora? Are they supposed to just ignore those rules? Is this book supposed to lowkey convert people if you’re asking them to believe that, “God and the whole universe are involved,” when it comes to the way your life unfolds? I don’t know. This was a minor thing, but, I wanted to mention it anyway.
If you’ve made it this far, you must be wondering why I gave this book 3 stars. Well, the short version is that I want to support women and help them succeed. The longer answer is that I notoriously give reads 4-5 stars, so having this rating fall below that threshold is enough for me. I don’t wanna penalize the author just because I am not their intended audience, even though they said/hoped as much.
So if you are a 20-something year-old Christian woman who is completely able, you might actually be able to learn a thing or two, and maybe even enjoy this book.
— 26 y/o woman, Veteran.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2022
This was a great quick read, and a very cool hybrid journaling and advice book which I haven't seen the concept before. She has a great Insta account which I found helpful also. I'm in my 30s and loved it and I think it would be so helpful in your 20s as well. Some of the reviews said some of the lessons were obvious or at times self-righteous, but I think that's unavoidable in a book like this where it's lessons based on her own experience and journaling career. Overall 5-star rating and a great gift book for friends!
June 12, 2022
As a 22 year old reading this book ~6 months post college, but not yet moved out of my parents house, I found many of the lessons in this book as good things to apply to my life at work and keep in mind for whenever I do move out. That being said, it definitely could’ve been more concise, lots of extra details in the stories and stuff- not necessarily a bad thing but if you’re someone like me who just wants the point, just keep that in mind. Great general advice though, would recommend to anyone my age.
July 17, 2024
Regardless of how long it took me to finish, this book actually ended up being a super cute lil’ read. Did it at times feel more like a boastful memoir than a self-help book? Yes. Did it feel more geared towards readers in their older 20s? To me, also yes. While some ‘tips’ felt super specific to the writer’s own experience, others struck a chord with me and left me with quite a few takeaways.
This also may be fun/interesting to reread when I’m older to notice how my prompt answers change…
This also may be fun/interesting to reread when I’m older to notice how my prompt answers change…
June 17, 2022
This book is a must-read for college grads and anyone who is trying to find their way in the real world. Michelle Douglas masterfully crafted each chapter full of relatable anecdotes from her experiences, actionable advice for readers to apply to their lives, and thought-provoking prompts with blank lines for reflection and self-discovery. I loved reading this book so much that I've bought several copies as gifts to my Georgetown students for graduation!
August 11, 2024
a great slow read for the last few months. Encouraging. Some of my Favorite lines:
It’s okay to just stop and lie in the grass with your dog.
When you get the chance to see your parents, even if it doesn’t seem practical to call or convenient, do it.
Everyone’s “normal” is different .
Always make your mom’s birthday a big deal. She made yours possible.
Take note of what shuts you down.
If you have the chance, spend time with each of your parents individually.
Express your expectation, or don’t have one.
It’s okay to just stop and lie in the grass with your dog.
When you get the chance to see your parents, even if it doesn’t seem practical to call or convenient, do it.
Everyone’s “normal” is different .
Always make your mom’s birthday a big deal. She made yours possible.
Take note of what shuts you down.
If you have the chance, spend time with each of your parents individually.
Express your expectation, or don’t have one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2022
Funny, heartfelt, and a snappy read! Douglas has a masterful way of weaving big truths into relatable, digestible nuggets of lifelong wisdom. I’m thankful I have this book as I start my thirties, but I sure do wish I would have had it in my twenties.
February 19, 2023
Overall, this book tells us lot of author's note when she was in twenties. It will be more rich insight if the book not only talk about the author's point of view, but also others' perspective. Moreover, the correlation between title and the content make this book seems not have any conclusion well
December 21, 2025
This book is not just for 20 something women. Lot of the experiences and advice shared by the author are practical and applicable for anyone. These are some of the common lessons one learns the hard way and even if you absorb couple of nuggets, it’s worth a read.
April 13, 2022
This was a little self-righetous at times, I can't lie. It was alright.
May 10, 2022
Wonderfully written with a great eye for how to capture lessons from everyday experiences. Great blend of humor and thoughtfulness. I've sent to a few friends so far!
October 4, 2022
meh, nothing amazing, nothing presented in a particular fun way, and a few of these- if you have to be told this-check your pulse.
July 2, 2023
My mom bought me this book in honor of me moving to a new city - I really enjoyed it and thought it gave good advice with some cute stories!
December 1, 2023
loved this book… truly an easy read and everything I needed to hear
January 3, 2025
Mediocre!
May 2, 2022
was good but nothing new or riveting, just telling you want you already know with a fancy bow
May 18, 2022
Michelle’s book is full of incredible lessons from her twenties that stand the test of time. This should be required reading for all twenty-somethings!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews