We Can Do Hard Things: Answers to Life's 20 Questions

We Can Do Hard Things (2025) by Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle is a practical guide to authentic living that addresses the fundamental questions people face when trying to live with greater intention and self-awareness. Drawing from their popular podcast of the same name, the three authors combine wisdom and anecdotes taken from interviews with over 100 contributors, or “wayfinders,” to help readers navigate life’s most challenging moments. The book serves as both a philosophical exploration of what it means to be human and a practical manual for anyone seeking to break free from patterns that no longer serve them, build authentic relationships, and find meaning amid uncertainty.

Key Takeaways:

• Excavate Your Authentic Self Rather Than Adding More
• Use Discomfort as Your Internal Guidance System
• Embrace Conflict as a Pathway to Deeper Connection
• Practice Radical Self-Compassion as a Tool for Growth
• Trust Your Body’s Wisdom Over External Validation
• Choose Faith and Connection Despite Life’s Uncertainty

This guide refers to the 2025 eBook edition published by The Dial Press.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of racism, gender discrimination, antigay bias, ableism, child sexual abuse, addiction, substance use, mental illness, self-harm, death, illness, and sexual content.

Curious what other readers think? Find ratings, review highlights, and more in our Book Brief.

Summary

The book is structured around 20 essential life questions, moving from foundational self-understanding to practical applications in relationships and daily living. The authors begin by examining how personal patterns develop through childhood experiences, family dynamics, and cultural conditioning, helping readers understand why they behave as they do while emphasizing that these patterns don’t define their potential for growth.

The early chapters focus on identity and self-discovery, distinguishing between authentic selfhood and societal labels while providing frameworks for recognizing when one has become disconnected from one’s true self. Rather than promoting endless self-improvement, the authors present authenticity as a process of excavation—removing barriers to reveal what already exists within.

The middle section addresses the practical challenges of authentic living: identifying genuine desires, making difficult decisions, doing hard things, and learning to let go. The authors emphasize that discomfort often signals necessary change rather than something to be avoided, and they provide concrete strategies for navigating grief, setting boundaries, and making peace with one’s body.

The final chapters explore relationships and meaning-making, covering friendship, romantic love, sexuality, parenting, anger, forgiveness, and finding purpose. Throughout, the authors and their “wayfinders” balance psychological depth with accessible wisdom, presenting complex therapeutic concepts through personal stories and practical exercises.

Rather than promising permanent transformation, the book frames growth as an ongoing practice of awareness and realignment. Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, Amanda Doyle, and their contributors advocate for radical self-compassion, authentic communication, and the courage to live according to internal rather than external guidance, positioning these choices as acts of resistance against systems that profit from disconnection and dissatisfaction.