Unruly - by Shelah Marie (Hardcover)

About the Book

A guide for Black women to uncover your truest story and step into your power through radical self-love, self-acceptance, and joy. Shelah Marie, founder and CEO of Curvy, Curly, Conscious, teaches tools for shedding expectations from society, family, and culture, and uncovering and embracing the many layers of your authentic self.

Book Synopsis

If your story isn't working, flip the script.

"Exactly the kind of no-nonsense and loving advice you'd expect from a big sister or longtime friend." --Franchesca Ramsey, creator and host of MTV Decoded and author of Well, That Escalated Quickly

"There is no better time than right now to get honest about who you are, and to perform the fullness of who you are," shares Shelah Marie, founder and CEO of Curvy, Curly, Conscious. Too many Black women are living other people's stories for your lives. You're a wife or a mother, a sister or a daughter, a CEO or a creative. You make yourself smaller to serve other people or society's expectations. But, as Shelah says, "This is your story, so why not make it a true one?"

Discover your truest self and write your truest story through Unruly. Shelah teaches the Unruly Philosophy: "a whole and compassionate acceptance of your inner diversity." Being Unruly isn't about changing yourself but rather about uncovering the many layers of who you are, accepting them fully, and allowing them to flourish. Throughout this guide, Shelah shares stories, teachings, practices, and tools to help you:

- Acknowledge and honor the past versions of yourself with compassion and self-love
- Step up to claim your mess and release any shame or judgment so you can connect more freely and deeply with yourself and others
- Grow your Main Character Energy so you can play the starring role in your life instead of centering yourself in someone else's
- Examine the expectations that are put on you from society, family, culture, and even past generations
- Prioritize your presence (how you show up) over your presentation (how it looks)
- Build your network of support to encourage and witness your growth
- Rest and dream, embracing joy, play, and pleasure

Unruly invites you to build a life where no part of yourself is left behind. As Shelah explains, "Empowerment looks like refusing to reject any part of yourself, using both your strengths and perceived weaknesses to align with your highest good." Join Shelah on this journey to unleash your Unruly self!

Review Quotes

"On these pages, Shelah is the voice of our best friend, holding up a mirror to our faces while sharing her transformative testimony and radical wisdom, inviting us to be honest about how we got here and what we are willing to be unwavering about to get to our highest imaginations of ourselves. Unruly will ask you to 'Become.' And so you will." --EbonyJanice, author of All the Black Girls Are Activists

"If you are looking for a nuanced, bold, and clearly outlined approach to adorning yourself in your unique crown of Black excellence that you were born with but often stripped of, this book will live on your nightstand. Additionally, for those who are a part of or allies to the Black community, who are seeking to understand how to love Black women within their realities to their highest potential, Unruly is an invaluable resource." --Shan Boodram, sex and relationship expert on Netflix's Too Hot to Handle

"What Shelah is doing with Unruly is truly groundbreaking! Through her transparency and vulnerability, she invites us on a journey of honesty and reflection. She challenges us to give ourselves permission to change our minds about who we thought we were and who we thought we had to be. Shelah serves as a model of rebellion and growth, and that guides us as we journey through our own healing. As a therapist, I love and appreciate the radical approach to healing and authenticity that Unruly provides!" --Dr. Ebony, creator of My Therapy Cards

"In Unruly, Shelah Marie offers exactly the kind of no-nonsense and loving advice you'd expect from a big sister or longtime friend. Filled with deeply personal stories, thoughtful questions, and actionable steps, this is a beautiful guide that will no doubt inspire and motivate young women for years to come." --Franchesca Ramsey, creator and host of MTV Decoded and author of Well, That Escalated Quickly

"In Unruly, Shelah unapologetically highlights the grace and power of Black womanhood, delivering a transformative guide to self-discovery and embracing authenticity. This book is a beacon of inspiration and essential reading for anyone looking to own their truth and uncover their resilience and power." --Justin Michael Williams, author of Stay Woke

"With Unruly, Shelah provides a road map for undoing all that we have been taught we need to be, do, and perceive to earn the title of 'good' as a Black woman. This book doesn't just talk about what it means to be authentic to self--the exercises guide the reader through tangible ways to experience and embody the concepts discussed. Shelah demonstrates her commitment to freedom of the everyday Black woman with this work. It's not just about the 'talk' but also in 'action.'" --Melissa Ifill, LCSW, therapist and coach

"Shelah's knack for bridging wellness with approachability is something that women of color have searched for, far and wide. Shelah doesn't preach at you; she walks with you. Unruly is the permission slip, and cerebral bus ticket, to your next level of understanding self. For those looking for a safe space to do the work--pull up a seat." --Evita Robinson, writer and founder of NOMADNESS Travel Tribe

About the Author

Shelah Marie is an author, storyteller, and founder and CEO of Curvy, Curly, Conscious. An advocate for Unruly women everywhere, Shelah empowers and educates her attendees, audience, and readers to challenge their beliefs about themselves, embrace their full expression, and make choices from a place of aligned authenticity. She is the author of Positive You: A Personal Growth Journal for Women and lives in Atlanta. For more, visit shelahmarie.com.