“Essentially, the book, Loving Me, is a rich inspirational and potent resource for all persons experiencing periods of uncertainty in their lives. It is also a guidebook for all who wish to break from the sense of self-doubt or low self-esteem issues.”
The book for this week is a memoir with a touch of inspiration. The book presents the author’s struggle with self-esteem and a sense of inadequacy, and her story of discovery.
In the book, the author uses her personal experience a source of encouragement, and she shares with us the lessons that have kept her strong in the face of manipulative and depressive voices.
Loving Me: A Review
The book is titled Loving Me: A Guide To Becoming The Person You Were Created To Be. It was authored by Bolanle Adejugbe, a lawyer, legal researcher, creative entrepreneur, singer and songwriter, and arts enthusiast.
The book was published in 2025 by PurpleBloom, Ibadan.
From the author’s introduction, the reader immediately gets a grasp of the book’s objective. The author uses her battle with self-esteem and a sense of inadequacy, and her journey to discovery to inspire and prompt the reader.
The lessons are placed in graduated format in this 78-page book. They are arranged into 20 chapters which the author has kept short and interactive for easy assimilation of the reader who is willing to make the journey of self-discovery.
Thus the first lesson (chapter) of the book is a call to introspection. And this journey of “loving you” begins with one first crucial step: understanding your purpose. Inquiry of self and why God placed you in your family, why He gave you your unique qualities and wired you differently from others matters a great deal.
By the author’s reckoning, any attempt to forge ahead without clarity about purpose is likely to produce a journey into unclear identity definition and unintended destination.
But Bolanle declares that the most potent way to know how to find your purpose is to go to God through Jesus for guidance. “…when you find God, you find yourself.” (P2) Ultimately, a walk with God will reveal your purpose and why He deposited in you the gifts and talents.
When purpose is discovered, and talents and gifts are known, the author believes that the next key phase is to embrace your person, or persona as a unique individual.
In the second chapter, the author avers that accepting your inner and outer self is greatly needed, as failure to like what you see in yourself may cause you to try to alter your physical features or act like someone else.
Even if you know your weakness, turn it into strength. There is hidden treasure and virtue in deliberately transforming your weaknesses into strengths. Knowing your purpose and accepting your uniqueness gives you the boost and shine, the author insists.
And, indeed, one of the ways of dealing with a sense of inadequacy or turning weaknesses in strength is to acquire more skills, get mentors, be open to learning, and confidence-building confessions and affirmations.
In addition, to be able to stay relevant requires strategic self-development, upgrading and networking.
In the book, Bolanle Adejugbe insists that avoiding toxic relationships and environments will greatly help a person to have a fulfilling life.
Your mental health is crucial to your fulfilment, therefore the author insists that you should “take necessary steps to avoid” toxic environments, “temporarily or permanently” (p11) so as not to “jeopardise all aspects or your life.”
And while you’re watching out for, and avoiding toxic people and environments, avoid also the pitfall of comparison. “Never be intimidated by other people’s achievements or successes” but focus on your path and vision.
This is instructive because people are built differently (p14) with unique strengths and abilities. This neither makes you less endowed nor makes them better, and vice versa.
For the author, staying committed to what you want, your purpose and your calling, and mastering the act of contentment will give you impetus.
In the book, Loving Me, Bolanle assures the reader that while there will be pressure on life’s journey, productivity awaits when we stay calm and keep still.
So, rather than remaining captive to the things that cannot be changed, transfer the anxiety to God. Sometimes sharing problems with people who are genuine and experienced can be calming, giving clarity, rather than confusion.
The author writes about the consciousness of God, and factoring the God-factor in the journey of success. She writes about understanding the perspective in life. Knowing and accepting how God sees you rather than what people say about you is a winning strategy already.
“God’s opinion supersedes every other opinion,” she argues, stating that countenancing negative impressions of others can complicate insecurity issues. (P35)
She also gives tips on what to do while you are in your waiting season, a very tough period when it feels like God is silent.
Also included in the book are tips on how to deal with rejection, and attitudes to adopt when navigating through tough experiences.
Essentially, the book, Loving Me, is a rich inspirational and potent resource for all persons experiencing periods of uncertainty in their lives. It is also a guidebook for all who wish to break from the sense of self-doubt or low self-esteem issues.
The author has in this book a step-by-step prescription on how to make the journey from self-doubt, to discovery, to finding God and your voice, and ultimately taking charge of your life.
The author has cased into this book, her tested tips for overcoming all physical, psychological, and spiritual obstacles in the life of every young person.
This book is recommended for all categories of readers.
