Ask the Author: Monica Carolan
Answered Questions (2)
Monica Carolan
"Only If You Let Them" was born from different sadnesses and insecurities I felt mainly throughout my young adulthood, continuing through very recently. I always felt misplaced - like everywhere I went I was alone, even when a room was full of people. I became angry at the falsities and conventions that society was following and trying to force upon me.
Why did I have to follow a certain path? Why did I have to dress and look a certain way? When I was getting a dress fitted, why did the seamstress point over to a tall thin blonde woman and tell me, "See, now that's what you want to look like."
When I was younger, these forced expectations of how I should be hurt me. They made me feel even more lost and confused. But then one day I decided to change this - I found the strength within myself to not let "them" affect me anymore. I tapped into a inner source that knew no boundaries, that was full of life and creativity, and didn't need approval from anyone.
From these experiences, I decided to write, "Only If You Let Them". It is the psychological journey of a woman breaking free from societal conditioning. It simply narrates the fears she overcomes and explores her newfound inner bliss. It is a conversation between herself and her inner voice - it is honest, real, and maybe even uncomfortable for those who don't feel quite ready to enter their "cave".
But for those that do, I hope that this book reminds you of your beauty and strength, empowers you to do what makes you most happy, and helps you free your mind from any constraining influences that are holding you back from living your best life. My deepest desire is that you choose to unapologetically follow your own path with aplomb, without allowing "them" to conform you, numb you, or sedate you ever again.
Why did I have to follow a certain path? Why did I have to dress and look a certain way? When I was getting a dress fitted, why did the seamstress point over to a tall thin blonde woman and tell me, "See, now that's what you want to look like."
When I was younger, these forced expectations of how I should be hurt me. They made me feel even more lost and confused. But then one day I decided to change this - I found the strength within myself to not let "them" affect me anymore. I tapped into a inner source that knew no boundaries, that was full of life and creativity, and didn't need approval from anyone.
From these experiences, I decided to write, "Only If You Let Them". It is the psychological journey of a woman breaking free from societal conditioning. It simply narrates the fears she overcomes and explores her newfound inner bliss. It is a conversation between herself and her inner voice - it is honest, real, and maybe even uncomfortable for those who don't feel quite ready to enter their "cave".
But for those that do, I hope that this book reminds you of your beauty and strength, empowers you to do what makes you most happy, and helps you free your mind from any constraining influences that are holding you back from living your best life. My deepest desire is that you choose to unapologetically follow your own path with aplomb, without allowing "them" to conform you, numb you, or sedate you ever again.
Monica Carolan
I feel most inspired to write after a walk in nature. The mysteries and unanswered questions of the forest, yet the way in which it simply all makes sense, reminds me to accept the perfection within the chaos in all aspects of my life. There is a pattern in the way things naturally flow, free of the self inflicted fears of our mind, that brings me back to the source.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more