Book Review: What If You’re Right?

Reviewed by Tomi Alo

A welcome reprieve from the constant pressure to be anything other than our true selves

In a world where societal standards often dictate our sense of self-worth, it can be exhausting to have to constantly fight to be true to ourselves. We are made to believe that everything about us—from our beliefs to our bodies to who we choose to love—is wrong.

We often try to find ways to “fix” ourselves and become more acceptable to unattainable standards, constantly chasing validation from others. But what if, instead of conforming to society’s narrow definitions of worthiness, we embraced our uniqueness and celebrated our individuality? What if we realized that true happiness comes from accepting ourselves fully, flaws and all? What if we were never wrong about ourselves in the first place? 

What If You’re Right? by Dr. Emily Colwellshares valuable insight on how we can reclaim our true selves without feeling like a never-ending self-improvement project. This self-help book discusses various topics such as finding happiness in imperfect circumstances; managing our inner conflict through the micro-moment technique; questioning our assumptions and seeking different perspectives; dealing with negative self-talk, anxiety, depression, and perfectionism; and finding new and unique solutions in challenging moments.

From her chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) diagnosis in 1995 to her thyroid cancer diagnosis in 2017, Dr. Emily Colwell has been through some weighty health challenges throughout her life. But she doesn’t let these stop her from achieving her goalsr. She’s found holistic ways to deal with her changing health circumstances, drawing on both her personal healing journey and her extensive professional knowledge as a licensed naturopathic doctor and clinical social worker.

Through her conversational and inclusive language, author Colwell creates an atmosphere of trust and camaraderie for her readers. She candidly and courageously shares her childhood abuse, struggles with her chronic illnesses, and strategies for coping with emotions like anxiety and depression. It’s inspiring and eye-opening to read.

I loved the micro-moments technique Colwell introduces very early in the book. Micro-moments are the deliberate short pauses we take to reflect on a particular emotion or situation in our everyday lives. It is through these micro-moments that we get to listen to our bodies, figure out what our lens of wrongness is, and come to terms with what we truly want. As Colwell further explains, “micro-moment pauses enable us to notice the meaningful moments we’re having, whether in our relationships, in nature, in our home, or with something else altogether.” The ultimate goal is to shift our lens of wrongness (a critical and judgmental perspective that fosters self-criticism) into one of curiosity, positivity, and, eventually, relief. 

Aside from helping us reflect on our emotions, Colwell equips us with powerful questions to help us navigate limitations or uncertainties. These power questions are to help us explore the endless possibilities in any situation, instead of conforming ourselves to a myopic solution. “Despite our marked limitations, new options and perspectives were always perched, just waiting to be discovered.” We can do this by rephrasing how we present questions to ourselves and being open-minded and curious. 

What If You’re Right? isn’t your average self-help guide. For once, instead of being left with new self-practical exercises to try—which I will end up falling behind on sooner or later—I leave with a deep clarity and understanding of what’s best for me. This is an enlightening read that empowers readers to embrace the “wrongs” in their lives and find the courage to be authentic and true.

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