Book Review: The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest

A review of: “The Mountain is You” by Brianna Wiest, Published June 1, 2020

The aftermath of trauma, family history, and day-to-day struggles that accumulate over time can place your body and mind in a stagnant state, making it challenging to complete tasks and take actions that you know would benefit your life. Even when you're aware of the traits and behaviors hindering your progress, it's difficult to overcome them because they serve a purpose. Our behavior reflects our feelings about the world and ourselves. Despite the apparent harm caused by certain habits or their absence, our bodies and minds often respond to our emotions. The issue is that feelings are not always facts, and constructing our lives solely around passing emotions leads to an unstable, unfulfilled, and repetitive existence. For many, this fear of never experiencing the envisioned life is a significant concern. Fortunately, individuals like Brianna Weist help us identify our destructive thoughts, feelings, and actions, enabling us to overcome obstacles and feel capable of finding contentment and balance. “The greatest act of self-love is to no longer accept a life you are unhappy with.”- Weist.

Many of us encounter life-altering events, such as the loss of a loved one, health issues, or unemployment, that seem to reshape our entire journey. These moments often serve as a pivotal point, pushing some to make decisions aimed at avoiding a recurrence of the associated pain. Successful individuals frequently attribute their achievements to overcoming the challenges presented by what may have been the worst day of their lives. Conversely, the emotional weight of such events can be overwhelming, leading some to remain stagnant out of fear that they lack the capacity to handle additional burdens. The reality is that everyone possesses the ability to identify destructive thoughts, manage emotions, define principles, and take meaningful actions toward their life goals. In her seven-chapter exploration, Brianna Weist eloquently delves into the reasons behind our behavioral responses to external events and internal thoughts. She guides readers on transforming triggers into personalized lessons, ultimately turning weaknesses into valuable and productive traits.

This book is for those who have acknowledged that certain behaviors impede their initial steps or the completion of fulfilling tasks. It's for individuals who recognize that self-improvement starts in the mind. After mastering oneself, little can hinder the achievement of aspirations, fostering self-trust and appreciation for hard-earned accomplishments. The book revolves around overcoming self-sabotage by identifying, understanding its role, motivations, and learning effective strategies for defeating it. “Self-sabotage is what happens when we refuse to consciously meet our innermost needs, often because we do not believe we are capable of handling them.”  -Weist. While not effortless, with Weist's interpretation, you'll conclude the book feeling renewed, empowered, and ready to pursue your wildest dreams.

A defining quote from this literature:

“Your new life is going to cost you your old one. it's going to cost you your comfort zone and your sense of direction. It’s going to cost you relationships and friends. It’s going to cost you being liked and understood. It doesn’t matter. The people who are meant for you are going to meet you on the other side. You’re going to build a new comfort zone around the things that actually move you forward. Instead of being liked, you’re going to be loved. Instead of being understood, you’re going to be seen. All you’re going to lose is what was built for a person you no longer are.”