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My Unfurling: Emerging from the Grip of Anxiety, Self-Doubt, and Drinking
Wicked hangovers. Scary blackouts. Ugly fights with friends. The results of binge drinking weigh heavily on Lisa May Bennett. She tries repeatedly to savor “just a few” glasses of wine—only to find herself passed out on the couch again.
Lisa has a bucket list full of exciting adventures with zero check marks next to them. Her anxiety and self-doubt are crying out for real solutions, not more booze. And her dream of becoming a published writer is fading away. She worries that her love of a good buzz will keep her stuck in this rut. Can she take charge of her life, or is she headed for a disastrous rock bottom?
This touching and funny memoir explores the childhood experiences that paved the way for Lisa’s drinking habit. She examines her complicated relationship with her mother, her experiences as a late bloomer, and her ongoing search for validation. In an engaging and relatable voice, the author shares how she began to “unfurl” without alcohol holding her back. But will she stay sober and discover how to truly thrive?
Anyone wondering if they'll ever burst out and follow their dreams will find My Unfurling compelling and hopeful.
"Reading My Unfurling is like taking a road trip with a smart, funny friend whose stories about her life effortlessly help you to understand and appreciate your own. Lisa Bennett doesn't shy away from darkness and difficult truths, but hers is a fundamentally optimistic voice that gives sober-curious readers not just any path forward, but one ablaze with light and possibility. I loved it." –Kristi Coulter, author of Nothing Good Can Come from This
Lisa has a bucket list full of exciting adventures with zero check marks next to them. Her anxiety and self-doubt are crying out for real solutions, not more booze. And her dream of becoming a published writer is fading away. She worries that her love of a good buzz will keep her stuck in this rut. Can she take charge of her life, or is she headed for a disastrous rock bottom?
This touching and funny memoir explores the childhood experiences that paved the way for Lisa’s drinking habit. She examines her complicated relationship with her mother, her experiences as a late bloomer, and her ongoing search for validation. In an engaging and relatable voice, the author shares how she began to “unfurl” without alcohol holding her back. But will she stay sober and discover how to truly thrive?
Anyone wondering if they'll ever burst out and follow their dreams will find My Unfurling compelling and hopeful.
"Reading My Unfurling is like taking a road trip with a smart, funny friend whose stories about her life effortlessly help you to understand and appreciate your own. Lisa Bennett doesn't shy away from darkness and difficult truths, but hers is a fundamentally optimistic voice that gives sober-curious readers not just any path forward, but one ablaze with light and possibility. I loved it." –Kristi Coulter, author of Nothing Good Can Come from This
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2022
193 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Lisa May Bennett
2 books13 followersLisa May Bennett is the author of two nonfiction books. By becoming a self-published author in her 50s, she hopes to demonstrate that it's never too late to chase your dreams. She blogs about balancing personal growth with self-acceptance at Bittersweet Nugget and enjoys speaking about self-publishing, sobriety, and building self-confidence.
Lisa has worked for more than two decades in communications and marketing, including an eighteen-year stretch at the National Organization for Women. She majored in creative writing in college, and after years of writing for employers, she published her first book in 2022. Through the process of self-publishing her memoir, Lisa discovered a passion for helping others share their stories. She hopes that her second book will encourage would-be authors to take that leap.
Lisa resides in Maryland with her husband and their furry family. She enjoys trying new things, spending time in nature, and dancing in the kitchen. She plans to cross the country in an RV with her husband one day and, of course, write a book about it.
Lisa has worked for more than two decades in communications and marketing, including an eighteen-year stretch at the National Organization for Women. She majored in creative writing in college, and after years of writing for employers, she published her first book in 2022. Through the process of self-publishing her memoir, Lisa discovered a passion for helping others share their stories. She hopes that her second book will encourage would-be authors to take that leap.
Lisa resides in Maryland with her husband and their furry family. She enjoys trying new things, spending time in nature, and dancing in the kitchen. She plans to cross the country in an RV with her husband one day and, of course, write a book about it.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 15, 2023
When I sat to write this review, I remembered Lisa's concern mentioned early on in this memoir which picked at my insides. She wondered whether she had suffered enough compared to others. Having read the book cover to cover, I’ll report that her story is enough. In fact, every life story of a person who is struggling to face their dependencies is enough to be shared with the world.
For the reader who is wondering if their life matters, it becomes apparent throughout Lisa’s story, you are not alone and Lisa can show you how she came back from her precipice.
For the reader who is wondering if their life matters, it becomes apparent throughout Lisa’s story, you are not alone and Lisa can show you how she came back from her precipice.
December 4, 2023
Many "Quit Lit" memoirs loudly recount the author's drunkalogue, regaling readers with horrific tales of harm done during blackouts, jail stints, and other cringe-worthy escapades. While those books have great merit in showing the reality of such a life and to possibly help other problem drinkers see themselves and get help, Lisa May Bennett's My Unfurling: Emerging from the Grip of Anxiety, Self-Doubt, and DrinkingMy Unfurling offers a different, calmer take. Instead of pounding readers with a hammer, her writing taps you on the shoulder.
Bennett is no stranger to adversity. She endured bullying, a challenging relationship with her mother, and the loss of dear friends, in addition to her struggle with alcoholism and self-worth. Her telling makes the book more relatable to the average, middle-aged over-drinker who might not call themselves an alcoholic (and might not be diagnosed as one), but who eventually realizes that even one drink has the potential to wreak havoc.
Her book also differs from other sobriety memoirs in the structure. While generally chronological, the book's chapters jump back and forth in time, following emotional connections rather than a straight timeline. Much like one might in writing an autobiography, the author also includes a wealth of backstory, giving a historical perspective to her eventual decisions to seek help, quit drinking, and thereby "unfurl" her life.
If you're expecting a page-turning, emotional punch to the gut, this might not be the book for you.
If instead you want an honest, quiet read about the damage sneaky and simple anxiety, self-doubt, and drinking (queue the subtitle) can cause and how one author redeemed herself, this book is for you.
Bennett is no stranger to adversity. She endured bullying, a challenging relationship with her mother, and the loss of dear friends, in addition to her struggle with alcoholism and self-worth. Her telling makes the book more relatable to the average, middle-aged over-drinker who might not call themselves an alcoholic (and might not be diagnosed as one), but who eventually realizes that even one drink has the potential to wreak havoc.
Her book also differs from other sobriety memoirs in the structure. While generally chronological, the book's chapters jump back and forth in time, following emotional connections rather than a straight timeline. Much like one might in writing an autobiography, the author also includes a wealth of backstory, giving a historical perspective to her eventual decisions to seek help, quit drinking, and thereby "unfurl" her life.
If you're expecting a page-turning, emotional punch to the gut, this might not be the book for you.
If instead you want an honest, quiet read about the damage sneaky and simple anxiety, self-doubt, and drinking (queue the subtitle) can cause and how one author redeemed herself, this book is for you.
August 29, 2022
First and foremost, this book is unapologetically authentic, the author (Lisa) is and/or could be – you, me, your 6th grade best friend, your mother, your sister, your chatty next-door neighbor, or even the quirky tattooed lady standing next to you in line at Starbucks.
What I find most relatable about Lisa's ‘unfurling’ is that her journey is one that we all bear witness to at some point in the turbulent timeline of our human existence. Equally appealing, the author doesn’t mince words about herself and/or her experiences – this I feel is one of the various reasons this book is such a gratifying read.
The unfurling metaphor is woven perfectly throughout the book, and is ‘branched’ into six sections titled:
One: Seeds of Discontent
Two: Self-Doubt Takes Root
Three: An Invasive Hunger
Four: Dormancy
Five: Second Bloom
Six: Tending My Garden
Additionally, the personas that (Lisa) introduces at the end of each section, are some of my favorite nuggets – here the author (I feel) is having an intimate conversation with herself, a running dialog so to speak, and you the reader – well, you get a front-row seat.
My Unfurling is easily right up there with the best in ‘quit-lit’.
What I find most relatable about Lisa's ‘unfurling’ is that her journey is one that we all bear witness to at some point in the turbulent timeline of our human existence. Equally appealing, the author doesn’t mince words about herself and/or her experiences – this I feel is one of the various reasons this book is such a gratifying read.
The unfurling metaphor is woven perfectly throughout the book, and is ‘branched’ into six sections titled:
One: Seeds of Discontent
Two: Self-Doubt Takes Root
Three: An Invasive Hunger
Four: Dormancy
Five: Second Bloom
Six: Tending My Garden
Additionally, the personas that (Lisa) introduces at the end of each section, are some of my favorite nuggets – here the author (I feel) is having an intimate conversation with herself, a running dialog so to speak, and you the reader – well, you get a front-row seat.
My Unfurling is easily right up there with the best in ‘quit-lit’.
July 25, 2023
Not bad, but not great either. It was mildly self help, mildly memoir, mild storytelling and mild advice. Wasn't strong in any which way and I found myself only highlighting 3 sentences of the entire book. I appreciated the insight into someone's mindset who is not an alcoholic (although I think they were just referring to the stereotypical sense and not acknowledging that blacking out regularly can in fact be alcoholism), but still realizing drinking was not for them.
October 24, 2022
I could not put this book down. I can hardly believe how much I have in common with this story. Starting with the year we were born, on to the high school years, late bloomer, raised by a single mom...only a few exceptions in comparison. Thank you for sharing this story. It was very inspiring.
May 19, 2024
Evidence that not only are we not alone but even more so, the evidence supports my theory that while we're all wonderfully unique, we're also all similar.
And remember, kindness starts with your own damned self. Loved all of the affirmations.
And remember, kindness starts with your own damned self. Loved all of the affirmations.
November 24, 2023
I’d like to to start my review my supporting and congratulating the achievement of sobriety. It must seem like such an easy thing to write and then share with the world, however it takes strength to acknowledge, face and fight the inner call.
There are a lot of moments in the book that can be applied to anyone, who regardless of whether they are seeking a core understanding of self to help themselves deal with addiction, can use certain aspects to understand themselves better. Having a greater comprehension of the why won’t change the why, but it might change the way a person views their frame of reference.
I think it’s important to understand that an element of peace can be found when a person finally realises that we are unable to change the past, unable to change the impact or reasons others played a role in our development and the whether that impact had repercussions. What we can control and change is the energy and power we choose to invest in those moments and people.
There are various types of alcoholism, I won’t delve into the variations, suffice to say one of them fits into the renamed so-called grey/gray area drinker mentioned in the first few chapters. I think the avoidance and inability to accept the term alcoholism and the need to reinvent is a type of denial, but if that in itself is a coping mechanism that keeps someone sane and sober, then so be it.
It’s an intimate look behind the door of a journey to find the root of the problem, the examination of self and life to understand triggers and ultimately to find the right coping mechanism to maintain sobriety, and to celebrate self.
There are a lot of moments in the book that can be applied to anyone, who regardless of whether they are seeking a core understanding of self to help themselves deal with addiction, can use certain aspects to understand themselves better. Having a greater comprehension of the why won’t change the why, but it might change the way a person views their frame of reference.
I think it’s important to understand that an element of peace can be found when a person finally realises that we are unable to change the past, unable to change the impact or reasons others played a role in our development and the whether that impact had repercussions. What we can control and change is the energy and power we choose to invest in those moments and people.
There are various types of alcoholism, I won’t delve into the variations, suffice to say one of them fits into the renamed so-called grey/gray area drinker mentioned in the first few chapters. I think the avoidance and inability to accept the term alcoholism and the need to reinvent is a type of denial, but if that in itself is a coping mechanism that keeps someone sane and sober, then so be it.
It’s an intimate look behind the door of a journey to find the root of the problem, the examination of self and life to understand triggers and ultimately to find the right coping mechanism to maintain sobriety, and to celebrate self.
March 30, 2022
(I received an advance reader copy, and am a friend of the author.)
Lisa May Bennett’s memoir is touching, relatable, and unflinching. Plain-spoken and brimming with raw honesty, she takes a step beyond an examination of what led her to drink and coming to live life without it. It is brave to write about a flawed relationship with alcohol, and braver still to tackle the monster of self-doubt hiding behind bottles that menace. There are many feminist implications to Lisa’s writing, perhaps more than the considerable political and cultural work she has done to advance women and girls in her lifetime. If you enjoyed Quit Like A Woman and are ready to get real, this time without the sarcasm, this is the book for you!
Lisa May Bennett’s memoir is touching, relatable, and unflinching. Plain-spoken and brimming with raw honesty, she takes a step beyond an examination of what led her to drink and coming to live life without it. It is brave to write about a flawed relationship with alcohol, and braver still to tackle the monster of self-doubt hiding behind bottles that menace. There are many feminist implications to Lisa’s writing, perhaps more than the considerable political and cultural work she has done to advance women and girls in her lifetime. If you enjoyed Quit Like A Woman and are ready to get real, this time without the sarcasm, this is the book for you!
November 29, 2023
What I enjoyed the most about this memoir is Lisa May Bennett’s raw honesty throughout. She’s candid about her journey and relationship with alcohol. I was so intrigued by her experiences of being a late-bloomer, which was something I can personally relate to. I love how it felt like she was just like you and I. Seeing her face her drinking problems and progress into healing was a rewarding experience. Even if you aren’t pursuing sobriety, this is a must-read memoir to add to your reading list.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews