Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown Summary Published in 2017, Brené Brown’s Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone presents insights and strategies for finding what Brown refers to as true belonging in a time of increasing cultural polarization in America. Based on Brown’s grounded theory research, true belonging is a practice that involves believing in and belonging to oneself so fully that one can share one’s innermost, authentic self with the rest of the world and still feel connected to a greater humanity even when standing alone. In Chapter 1, Brown provides personal background for her research on true belonging. She begins with a quote from Maya Angelou, adds anecdotes from her childhood and adult life, and touches on significant events that led her to revisit and expand upon her previous work on the topic. In relating these events, Brown describes how she came to understand how true belonging is a paradox of “being alone but still belonging” and “feeling alone but also strong.” In Chapter 2, Brown reevaluates her research findings on belonging from The Gifts of Imperfection (2010). She notes that while her earlier definition of belonging is still relevant, it is incomplete. In addition to authenticity and self acceptance, belonging, at times, requires the “courage to stand alone, totally alone.” Brown then introduces the four elements of true belonging she identified after conducting grounded theory interviews with research participants. To be continued... Here is a Preview of What You Will Get: ⁃ A Detailed Introduction ⁃ A Comprehensive Chapter by Chapter Summary ⁃ Etc Get a copy of this summary and learn about the book.
