Slow Love: Book Review

{Giveaway is Closed}

When Dominque Browning, of House and Garden fame, lost her job in 2007, it was quite a devastating time for her.   I can imagine it was, since I too, have been through the loss of a few jobs myself.  Over the course of my 30 years in Corporate America, at least 4 times I was laid off for one reason or another, all because of downsizing or restructuring or whatever they decided to call it at the time.  All I knew was that I had lost my job and that is a very hard thing to go through. You really start to doubt yourself and what you have to offer.

I survived that time in my life and with each move in the Corporate world, it was usually a better situation for me, so I can see God’s hand in that, looking back.  Now that I’m out of the Corporate world, I can say I totally don’t miss it.  I would much rather be at home, doing what I love to do and blogging about it with all of you.  That is a whole bunch more fun than showing up at an office each day, I can tell you that (been there, done that).  I thought it would be hard to adjust to the non-structure of staying at home and working at my own pace after so many years of going to work, but it has not been.  I took to it like a duck takes to water and haven’t looked back.

So, when I was asked if I’d like to review Dominique’s new book, Slow Love (How I Lost My Job, Put on My Pajamas & Found Happiness) all about the losing of her job and in turn, how she found herself, I just knew it would be a good read.  And it is!  I thoroughly enjoyed the book, recounting how she found out she lost her job as the Editor-in-Chief of House and Garden, back in the Fall of 2007 and all of the emotions that went along with losing the job that was her identify.  She was a powerful woman in the Conde Nast organization and all of a sudden all of that was gone.  She went through depression, denial, and a feeling of what do I do now?  Oh, not to mention, she had been involved in an intense love affair for several years that seemed to be going nowhere.  That’s part of the story too that maybe we all can relate to.

Well, she pulled herself together, sold her big house in the city and down-sized to her country house in Rhode Island, she was now an empty-nester, since both her boys were gone and she had to go about finding herself again.   From going to the farmer’s market in her PJ’s, to planting a garden, to kayaking in nearby ponds, she slowly came back to life again.   It’s a very good read and I really enjoyed turning the pages of this book.  Dominique now writes a blog, called Slow Love, as well as a contributor for other publications, which you can see on her blog.  She’s an outstanding writer.

Here’s a link to a video interview with Dominique on Good Morning Ameria, which is also good to hear.

I got to ask her a few questions in an interview, so I’m looking forward to sharing those Q & A’s with you:

Question #1 from Rhoda: What is the biggest bit of advice you could pass along to other women losing jobs and possibly careers and starting over?

DB: My advice? Stop thrashing around, sit with the pain and fear for a while, allow yourself to mourn, and honor what is lost. Then, get moving. Physically. Walk, garden, do yoga, bang a drum, but move. Physical movement loosens something up in the brain, and allows creativity to begin to flow again.

Question #2: Would you go back to the Corporate world if you were invited and had the opportunity?

DB: Sure, I’d go back, but only if I could do something about which I feel as passionately about as what I’m doing now!

Question #3: In your own home, what is your favorite style to decorate and do you enjoy yardsales and thrifting?  The joy of the hunt?

DB: My style is hopelessly eclectic–meaning, I mix traditional with modern, and every time I try to stick to one style, I end up drifting…and mixing. I love consignment shops, but I know that I’m in a “giving away” mode so that really puts the brakes on my purchases.

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Thank you,  Dominque, for taking the time to answer my questions.  And here’s the fun part!  We have a book to give away to ONE of my readers, so all you have to do is leave a comment and a winner will be drawn by Random.org. on Monday evening.

I’d love to know if you’ve ever lost a job to a layoff or downsizing situation?  I can totally relate to this, since it’s happened to me and I’m sure it has happened to many of you too.

Tell me how you handled it? The first time I was laid off, it really took me by surprise and I had to regroup and figure out what I was going to do next and it can be a depressing time.  But, when it happens a 2nd or 3rd time, I think you get used to it and this day and time, it is happening more and more out there.

That’s it, leave a comment if you’d like to win a copy of the book!

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Some weekend links for you:

June 19th:  If you’re looking for some berry festivals this month, check out the NC  Blueberry Festival in downtown Burgaw, NC.  If you’re anywhere in the area, it might be a fun event to attend.

Since its inception, the Festival has become a premiere event in Southeastern North Carolina and attracts more than 30,000 people who have come to enjoy some of the area’s finest entertainment, artisans nestled around the courthouse square, antique cars lining the streets, food vendors serving up an array of delicacies and of course the Festival’s main attraction Blueberries! The Festival is a non-profit civic organization and is sponsored in part by the Town of Burgaw.

Alabama has a Blueberry and Blackberry Festival every year too, at Petals from the Past, where we got our blackberry and blueberry plants.  Their festival will also be on June 19th and we plan on going!

How to Get Published, Part 2: Are you Ready to be an Author?

How to Make your own Ice Cream this summer.