Don't Wear Shoes You Can't Walk In: A Field Guide for Your Twenties

“Why is this moment happening in my life and what can I learn from it?”

Michelle Douglas asked and answered this question almost every day for ten years, writing down one thing she learned each day from ages twenty-one to thirty-one. In these pages, she shares her experiences and learnings from the adventures that lie ahead for young adults—moving, working, loving, losing, quitting, building, and more, all while attempting to maintain a strong sense of self.

Written for anyone just starting out or suddenly starting over, this field guide—part advice book, part journal—will help you discover the very important yet not-so-obvious lessons to be learned in your own life right now. Things like . . .

• the weakness isn’t necessarily where the leak is
  
• surround yourself with people who are willing to lift while they climb 
  
• you can’t change the shape of a piece to force it into your puzzle 
  
• don’t go looking for love, go looking for things you love to do
  
• it’s what you bring to the table, not how long you’ve been sitting at it
  

Don’t Wear Shoes You Can’t Walk In equips twentysomethings (and beyond) with powerful tools to enrich their lives and take their next steps forward with confidence. 

Michelle Douglas is a writer and mentor with a passion for helping individuals and brands uncover their reason for being and share their story. At age twenty-one she began a career in advertising and marketing. At the same time, she began the practice of journaling and recording life lessons, culminating in more than a decade of learnings to guide today's twentysomethings. She shares the inspiring life advice she has gleaned from this practice through contributions to Thrive Global and on Instagram at @fieldguidefortwenties. Michelle is the founder of Ladder, a brand strategy and communications company focused on social good, where she has worked with clients ranging from Olympic athletes to Harvard Business School New Venture Competition winners. A native of Jacksonville, Florida and transplant from Atlanta, Georgia, Michelle feels fortunate to call many places home. She currently lives with her husband and young daughter in Annapolis, Maryland.