Welcome back to our Bestie Book Club—a community for book lovers from Girls’ Life magazine.

If you’re new here, hello! Here’s how this works: Each month, we read, discuss and obsess over a new book. If you haven’t already, be sure to follow us on TikTok and Instagram for Bestie Book Club updates, fun reading challenges, amaze giveaways and so much more.

Ever feel like being a girl comes with a million unwritten rules—and somehow, you’re supposed to follow all of them at once? Be confident, but not *too* confident. Stand out, but don’t be weird. Plan your future, but also don’t forget to live in the moment.

All that conflicting advice is majorly confusing—and a lot of what we’ve been told about girlhood just doesn’t add up. And if you’re ready to question the rules you’ve been handed  (and maybe toss a few of them out entirely), Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice by Meredith Walker (out May 12) is here to help.

With wisdom from the co-founder of Smart Girls (an organization all about empowering young women)—plus a foreword from the queen Amy Poehler herself—this is your go-to guide for overcoming failures, finding real friendships and uncovering who you *really* are.

Ahead, GL book besties Makenzie, Skylyn and Kierney share how Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice gave them the big sis advice they didn’t know they needed…and the myths about girlhood that are in major need of debunking.

Hey, Besties! Was there a part of Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice that really inspired you?

“I want to be ‘authentically’ me and not let others sway my decisions. I want to lead, not follow. ” — Kierney D.

“My favorite section of the book is the one about overcoming barriers. It has useful tips like finding professional sources to get advice.” — Makenzie M.

“The reminder that failures are a part of life—that you should embrace because they help you grow.” — Skylyn P.

Between teachers asking what you want to major in, relatives asking about your dream job at every fam dinner and a TikTok feed that’s full of “day in my life as an 18-year-old CEO” videos, it can feel like you’re already behind if you don’t have a picture-perfect five-year plan.

The truth? Most people figure it out as they go (yep, even the ones who seem like they have it all together). Changing your mind about a relationship, realizing a new hobby is not for you or having zero clue where you want to go to college doesn’t mean you’re “failing” or “behind.” In fact, it’s all part of the process.

In Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice, the focus isn’t on locking yourself into one life path ASAP—it’s on getting curious about what you genuinely care about, then letting that guide you forward.

Try this: Instead of stressing about having your whole life mapped out, start smaller. What classes do you enjoy right now? What topics could you Google for hours? What kind of environment makes you feel like yourself, whether that’s the field or the stage or the library? Use those answers to explore new things: Maybe that’s signing up for a voice lesson or starting a painting club at school. You might learn that it’s not really for you (and that’s OK!)—or it may just become your new fave thing. You’ll never know until you try.

Hey, Besties! What’s something you’re really passionate about?

“I really enjoy singing and acting. I’ve started taking more classes after being a lead in my school musical. Hoping it leads to future roles on stage and on camera!” — Kierney D.

“I’m really passionate about art, reading and robotics. I hope to one day have a successful YouTube channel where I post art videos.” —Makenzie M.

“Fashion. It’s so fun to find new ways to express myself.” —Skylyn P.

It’s easy to scroll for five minutes and suddenly feel like ~literally everyone~ is living a more put-together, aesthetic, exciting life than you. The perfect morning routines, the flawless friend groups, the girls who somehow balance school, workouts, a side hustle *and* glowing skin.

But here’s the reality: Social media is a highlight reel. Not real life. Most people are posting the best parts of the day and leaving out everything vaguely negative (think: school stress, body insecurity, bad mental health days).

That’s something Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice really leans into: learning how to separate what you see on your FYP from building a sense of self that isn’t based on likes, views or comparisons with influencers.

Try this: Give yourself a 24-hour social media reset (no scrolling, no posting, you get the idea). Pay attention to how you feel sans-Instagram: Are you less anxious? More present? Maybe a little bored at first…but then weirdly peaceful? Use that time to do something offline you genuinely enjoy (like taking a long sunset walk, meeting a friend for coffee or starting that cozy fantasy novel you’ve been meaning to read). And when you *do* log back on, head straight to your comfort creator. Engage with their posts to train your feed to show more of the content you love.

Hey, Besties! How do you unwind after a long day?

“I like to listen to music and sing and dance along!” — Kierney D.

“Once in a while, I will try to write a new story, and other times, I simply like to play video games.”  —Makenzie M.

“Bingeing my comfort series is like an instant reset.” —Skylyn P.

When it feels like everyone’s coupling up (your friends, older sisters, favorite celebs), it’s easy to start wondering if you’re missing out. Like, should you be “talking” with someone? Going on dates? Flirting with cuties in the coffee shop?

There’s this idea that a relationship will make you feel more complete and confident. But the truth is, those things come from you. Sure, a relationship can be fun, but it’s not an instant shortcut to happiness.

In Be Yourself and other Bad Advice, there’s a big emphasis on getting to know yourself first—what you care about and what kind of person *you* want to be—before looking to someone else to fill in the gaps. Because when you’re grounded in who you are? That’ll make any future relationship more fulfilling.

Try this: Instead of focusing on what you’re missing without a bae, take a sec to zoom out and think about the support system you already have in your life—like the bestie you called when you got cut from cheer squad or the parent who got you through a rough patch of anxiety. Make a plan to lean into that connection this week: Send a “Just wanted to say I’m so grateful for you!” text, plan a movie night or catch up over FaceTime. It’s a reminder that you’re already supported and cared for—and you don’t need a relationship to have that.

Hey, Besties! Who is your go-to for support when you’re having a bad day?

“I always turn to my mom for advice and reassurance!” — Kierney D.

“My mom because she’s always kind but also completely honest, so I trust her advice.“ —Makenzie M.

“My BFF. She always knows just how to make me smile.”—Skylyn P.

Want to get involved with our Bestie Book Club? Here’s how…
+ SOLO. Pre-order your copy of Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice HERE and get ready to be *seriously* inspired to unlearn the rules. The book releases on May 12!
+ ON SOCIAL MEDIA. Connect with us @glbestiebookclub and find your fellow book nerds from all over. Hello, instant community!
+ WITH YOUR SQUAD. Gather the besties (or your support system) for some quality time! Did somebody say book club? Read a few pages of Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice, take turns swapping stories and sharing your fave takeaways from the book.