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The Year of Yes Journal
A beautiful, illustrated, aspirational companion journal to Shonda Rhimes's New York Times bestselling memoir, Year of Yes.
In her mega-hit book, Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes transformed her life by saying one small word: YES. Now, in the perfect complement to that instant New York Times bestseller, The Year of Yes Journal allows you to chronicle your own Year of Yes.
The journal is broken out month by month, day by day, with each month highlighting a theme ( Yes to Doing, Yes to Help, Yes to Who I Am ). Daily, you can track what you say YES to and keep notes about how that decision has made a unique impact; monthly, you will find journaling prompts for reflection around that specific theme. With a check-in section at the six-month mark, as well as at year end, and encouragement from Shonda along the way, you will have ample opportunity to track how YES has transformed your daily life.
This inspirational and aspirational journal is bound with a beautiful, gold foil-stamped blue case. With memorable aphorisms from Year of Yes placed throughout and gorgeously illustrated, this stunning journal is a must-have keepsake that brings a bit more YES to your life."
In her mega-hit book, Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes transformed her life by saying one small word: YES. Now, in the perfect complement to that instant New York Times bestseller, The Year of Yes Journal allows you to chronicle your own Year of Yes.
The journal is broken out month by month, day by day, with each month highlighting a theme ( Yes to Doing, Yes to Help, Yes to Who I Am ). Daily, you can track what you say YES to and keep notes about how that decision has made a unique impact; monthly, you will find journaling prompts for reflection around that specific theme. With a check-in section at the six-month mark, as well as at year end, and encouragement from Shonda along the way, you will have ample opportunity to track how YES has transformed your daily life.
This inspirational and aspirational journal is bound with a beautiful, gold foil-stamped blue case. With memorable aphorisms from Year of Yes placed throughout and gorgeously illustrated, this stunning journal is a must-have keepsake that brings a bit more YES to your life."
464 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2016
42 people are currently reading
1,970 people want to read
About the author
Shonda Rhimes
10Ìýbooks2,224ÌýfollowersIn this poignant, hilarious, and deeply intimate call to arms, Hollywood’s most powerful woman, the mega-talented creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal and executive producer of How to Get Away with Murder reveals how saying YES changed her life—and how it can change yours too.
She’s the creator and producer of some of the most groundbreaking and audacious shows on television today: Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder. Her iconic characters—Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Olivia Pope, Annalise Keating—live boldly and speak their minds. So who would suspect that Shonda Rhimes, the mega talent who owns Thursday night television (#TGIT), is an introvert? That she hired a publicist so she could avoid public appearances? That she hugged walls at splashy parties and suffered panic attacks before media interviews so severe she remembered nothing afterward?
Before her Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes was an expert at declining invitations others would leap to accept. With three children at home and three hit television shows on TV, it was easy to say that she was simply too busy. But in truth, she was also afraid. Afraid of cocktail party faux pas like chucking a chicken bone across a room; petrified of live television appearances where Shonda Rhimes could trip and fall and bleed out right there in front of a live studio audience; terrified of the difficult conversations that came so easily to her characters on-screen. In the before, Shonda’s introvert life revolved around burying herself in work, snuggling her children, and comforting herself with food.
And then, on Thanksgiving 2013, Shonda’s sister muttered something that was both a wake up and a call to arms: You never say yes to anything.
The comment sat like a grenade, until it detonated. Then Shonda, the youngest of six children from a supremely competitive family, knew she had to embrace the challenge: for one year, she would say YES to everything that scared her.
This poignant, intimate, and hilarious memoir explores Shonda’s life before her Year of Yes—from her nerdy, book-loving childhood creating imaginary friends to her devotion to creating television characters who reflected the world she saw around her (like Cristina Yang, whose ultimate goal wasn’t marriage, and Cyrus Beene, who is a Republican and gay). And it chronicles her life after her Year of Yes had begun—when Shonda forced herself out of the house and onto the stage, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and giving the Dartmouth Commencement speech; when she learned to say yes to her health, yes to play and she stepped out of the shadows and into the sun; when she learned to explore, empower, applaud, and love her truest self. Yes.
This wildly candid and compulsively readable book reveals how the mega talented Shonda Rhimes, an unexpected introvert, achieved badassery worthy of a Shondaland character. And how you can, too.
She’s the creator and producer of some of the most groundbreaking and audacious shows on television today: Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder. Her iconic characters—Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Olivia Pope, Annalise Keating—live boldly and speak their minds. So who would suspect that Shonda Rhimes, the mega talent who owns Thursday night television (#TGIT), is an introvert? That she hired a publicist so she could avoid public appearances? That she hugged walls at splashy parties and suffered panic attacks before media interviews so severe she remembered nothing afterward?
Before her Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes was an expert at declining invitations others would leap to accept. With three children at home and three hit television shows on TV, it was easy to say that she was simply too busy. But in truth, she was also afraid. Afraid of cocktail party faux pas like chucking a chicken bone across a room; petrified of live television appearances where Shonda Rhimes could trip and fall and bleed out right there in front of a live studio audience; terrified of the difficult conversations that came so easily to her characters on-screen. In the before, Shonda’s introvert life revolved around burying herself in work, snuggling her children, and comforting herself with food.
And then, on Thanksgiving 2013, Shonda’s sister muttered something that was both a wake up and a call to arms: You never say yes to anything.
The comment sat like a grenade, until it detonated. Then Shonda, the youngest of six children from a supremely competitive family, knew she had to embrace the challenge: for one year, she would say YES to everything that scared her.
This poignant, intimate, and hilarious memoir explores Shonda’s life before her Year of Yes—from her nerdy, book-loving childhood creating imaginary friends to her devotion to creating television characters who reflected the world she saw around her (like Cristina Yang, whose ultimate goal wasn’t marriage, and Cyrus Beene, who is a Republican and gay). And it chronicles her life after her Year of Yes had begun—when Shonda forced herself out of the house and onto the stage, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and giving the Dartmouth Commencement speech; when she learned to say yes to her health, yes to play and she stepped out of the shadows and into the sun; when she learned to explore, empower, applaud, and love her truest self. Yes.
This wildly candid and compulsively readable book reveals how the mega talented Shonda Rhimes, an unexpected introvert, achieved badassery worthy of a Shondaland character. And how you can, too.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 31, 2021
Love this writing advice! Perfect thing to read at the end of the year.
February 4, 2017
I won a copy of The Year of Yes Journal from Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Giveaways.
Based on Shonda Rhimes� book Year of Yes, this companion journal has a page for each day (with each day having the reflection segments of -The YESes I handled today, -What I gained by saying Yes, and � What were the dark and twisty parts of today’s YESes?) and is broken into monthly themes (Body, Beautiful, People, Play, Dance, Swagger, Conversations, etc). Each monthly theme has a question and quote at the beginning to get your mind focused on that topic as well. Rhimes� introduction at the beginning is helpful, as are the beginning page questions of, What is my vision for myself this year? Who do I want to be, What do I want to say YES to?, What do you hope to change about yourself in this Year of Yes?. There is even a check in point with some halfway questions and commentary from Rhimes at the 6th month point and a final reflection section at the end. Scattered throughout the book are quotes on the same periwinkle blue as the cover with white text that are challenging, inspiring, and spot-on (one of my favorites being “Happiness comes from being who you actually are instead of who you think you are supposed to be.� and “No is powerful. It is a big weapon to have in your arsenal. But it is a very tough weapon to deploy.�
The Year of Yes is beautifully designed with a soft cover (reminiscent of a Bible) in a lovely shade of periwinkle and gold, embossed lettering. The page layouts are also nice with pretty designs and headings. There is enough space to write on each page while being short and specific enough that you don’t feel like keeping up with this journal would be a problem. From an aesthetics standpoint, I love this book!
It really focuses in on specific ways that you want to grow and develop (not as Rhimes points out, just saying yes to everything!). I think if you were looking to change and wanted an easy way to be mindful of that daily than this would be a great choice. There is also a both implicit and explicit emphasis on actions to produce change in this journal. I liked the focus on change taking deliberate and conscious effort. This journal is a good way to document that change in many areas.
I would recommend using this in conjunction with the original book The Year of Yes. Full disclosure, I haven’t read that yet, and I think I would get a lot more out of this journal if I read the book first! If you are a fan of Rhimes, are looking to change, or enjoy journaling but want to try something different. I’d recommend giving this a try!
Based on Shonda Rhimes� book Year of Yes, this companion journal has a page for each day (with each day having the reflection segments of -The YESes I handled today, -What I gained by saying Yes, and � What were the dark and twisty parts of today’s YESes?) and is broken into monthly themes (Body, Beautiful, People, Play, Dance, Swagger, Conversations, etc). Each monthly theme has a question and quote at the beginning to get your mind focused on that topic as well. Rhimes� introduction at the beginning is helpful, as are the beginning page questions of, What is my vision for myself this year? Who do I want to be, What do I want to say YES to?, What do you hope to change about yourself in this Year of Yes?. There is even a check in point with some halfway questions and commentary from Rhimes at the 6th month point and a final reflection section at the end. Scattered throughout the book are quotes on the same periwinkle blue as the cover with white text that are challenging, inspiring, and spot-on (one of my favorites being “Happiness comes from being who you actually are instead of who you think you are supposed to be.� and “No is powerful. It is a big weapon to have in your arsenal. But it is a very tough weapon to deploy.�
The Year of Yes is beautifully designed with a soft cover (reminiscent of a Bible) in a lovely shade of periwinkle and gold, embossed lettering. The page layouts are also nice with pretty designs and headings. There is enough space to write on each page while being short and specific enough that you don’t feel like keeping up with this journal would be a problem. From an aesthetics standpoint, I love this book!
It really focuses in on specific ways that you want to grow and develop (not as Rhimes points out, just saying yes to everything!). I think if you were looking to change and wanted an easy way to be mindful of that daily than this would be a great choice. There is also a both implicit and explicit emphasis on actions to produce change in this journal. I liked the focus on change taking deliberate and conscious effort. This journal is a good way to document that change in many areas.
I would recommend using this in conjunction with the original book The Year of Yes. Full disclosure, I haven’t read that yet, and I think I would get a lot more out of this journal if I read the book first! If you are a fan of Rhimes, are looking to change, or enjoy journaling but want to try something different. I’d recommend giving this a try!
October 5, 2016
I mean!!! You can't read this and not just love her. She doesn't disappoint, it's everything I wanted it to be and more. #talentcrush
August 14, 2020
I love books that make you see the world just a little bit differently, and this is one.
January 6, 2021
It’s been a while since I read a self help book, and I’m so glad that I picked this one! It was referred to me by my sister, so a big fat thanks to her for passing the paperback into my oh so willing hands. It reads more like a journal of Shonda’s story than it does a ‘how to� or ‘self-help�, yet in doing so she’s teaching her readers oh so much more than she would have by saying ‘this is what you need to do� so to speak. This way, Shonda tells an actual story - a tale - yet she’s jam packed it with beautiful insight to bettering one’s day to day life.
You see, for years Shonda let herself slip into a mundane routine filled with nothing but work work work� that, and allowing herself to stress in constantly and gain weight. Although successful in her career, Shonda was completely unhappy and living her life hiding. She hid behind really anything she could in order to stay out of the limelight. On a thanksgiving day while her sister was prepping dinner, she made a comment to Shonda about ‘never saying Yes to anything�. This comment stuck with her. She dwelled on it until she came to the realization that being an excuse maker and always saying no to everyone and everything had transformed her into misery.
At this point Shonda made a pact to herself, and even told a few friends in order to hold herself accountable that she would say yet to everything that terrified her. Sure enough within weeks she was asked to give a public speech. She forced herself to say yes despite her nearly paralyzing fear of personal publicity, all because of the promise she’d made to herself. Not only did she survive the speech, but she nailed it! (she even gives the speech in the book along with more and they’re pretty fantastic.)
But it doesn’t stop at this speech. Really it’s only a fraction, a step in the direction of Yes� that takes her from unhappy to a woman exuberating confidence and self worth. This step turned into more steps of speeches, TV appearances including Oprah, Jimmy Kimble and more. Shonda took trips, dedicated herself more to her children than ever before, and even went from being overweight to a healthy lady in amazing shape. She takes us readers through her journey of this life transforming year with grace, attitude, opinions out the wahoo (which are hilarious BTW) and leaves us completely fixated on her. I personally will be saying Yes much much more than usual. I admire Shonda and feel like a better person after reading her tale!! Hands down 5 stars for me!
You see, for years Shonda let herself slip into a mundane routine filled with nothing but work work work� that, and allowing herself to stress in constantly and gain weight. Although successful in her career, Shonda was completely unhappy and living her life hiding. She hid behind really anything she could in order to stay out of the limelight. On a thanksgiving day while her sister was prepping dinner, she made a comment to Shonda about ‘never saying Yes to anything�. This comment stuck with her. She dwelled on it until she came to the realization that being an excuse maker and always saying no to everyone and everything had transformed her into misery.
At this point Shonda made a pact to herself, and even told a few friends in order to hold herself accountable that she would say yet to everything that terrified her. Sure enough within weeks she was asked to give a public speech. She forced herself to say yes despite her nearly paralyzing fear of personal publicity, all because of the promise she’d made to herself. Not only did she survive the speech, but she nailed it! (she even gives the speech in the book along with more and they’re pretty fantastic.)
But it doesn’t stop at this speech. Really it’s only a fraction, a step in the direction of Yes� that takes her from unhappy to a woman exuberating confidence and self worth. This step turned into more steps of speeches, TV appearances including Oprah, Jimmy Kimble and more. Shonda took trips, dedicated herself more to her children than ever before, and even went from being overweight to a healthy lady in amazing shape. She takes us readers through her journey of this life transforming year with grace, attitude, opinions out the wahoo (which are hilarious BTW) and leaves us completely fixated on her. I personally will be saying Yes much much more than usual. I admire Shonda and feel like a better person after reading her tale!! Hands down 5 stars for me!
July 3, 2022
Rang very hollow and out of touch, maybe it's the pandemic?
January 1, 2021
It was fun and positive and a quick read, but it wasn't really deep and moving. Interesting, but it seemed like she sat down and wrote it kinda quick... seeing how good of a writer she is I was a little disappointed.
May 4, 2023
I question why a got this at a book sale: 1st, I ALWAYS say yes. 2nd, I hate Grey's Anatomy, and have mocked my sisters for years for their continued devotion. Despite this, there were nuggets of wisdom. One comment on the writing style. It was very much written in the tone Shonda would speak. I am sure the audio book is fantastic. But reading it? Not so much (Those last two sentences? Like uptalking? Drove. me. batty. And she uses this liberally) I enjoyed behind the scenes of a tv show, and the fact that Christina Yang is by far her favourite character (she barely talked about anyone else in the show). I love that she learned to appreciate compliments without questioning them (always accept a compliment graciously, I say!) I love that she learned to have difficult conversations, and not take bullshit from people. I love that she did not allow people in her life who did not bring her joy. And that happy begets happy.
February 14, 2024
The Year of Yes was a book club pick and I am so happy it was proposed as a pick because it is a great book! The audiobook is SO recommended because Shonda Rhimes intertwines recorded speaking engagements she has given with parts of the book where she discusses what we don't see backstage right before and after.
Shonda Rhimes is a force in Hollywood. And yet, it was so comforting to read how someone so public and so accomplished is also introverted and prefers to stay out of the limelight. Just because she is IN the limelight and gives speeches, doesn't mean that is what she thrives on. And so, she tried to say yes to everything for a year and this is her journey of growth while still holding a space for herself when needed.
Shonda Rhimes is a force in Hollywood. And yet, it was so comforting to read how someone so public and so accomplished is also introverted and prefers to stay out of the limelight. Just because she is IN the limelight and gives speeches, doesn't mean that is what she thrives on. And so, she tried to say yes to everything for a year and this is her journey of growth while still holding a space for herself when needed.
January 4, 2024
Shonda Rhimes’s Year of Yes
How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun, and Be Your Own Person sounded like the perfect book for me to read at the beginning of the new year - and it was!
To put it only lightly, Rhimes has a deeply intuitive way with words. She is funny, honest, and brilliant. After hearing her sister tell her that she always says, “No,� Rhimes decides only to say, “Yes� - for an entire year. Her descriptive retelling of that year and how saying yes changed her life is also motivating for me, the reader, to answer yes to life’s opportunities and challenges more often. Here’s to saying yes in 2024!
How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun, and Be Your Own Person sounded like the perfect book for me to read at the beginning of the new year - and it was!
To put it only lightly, Rhimes has a deeply intuitive way with words. She is funny, honest, and brilliant. After hearing her sister tell her that she always says, “No,� Rhimes decides only to say, “Yes� - for an entire year. Her descriptive retelling of that year and how saying yes changed her life is also motivating for me, the reader, to answer yes to life’s opportunities and challenges more often. Here’s to saying yes in 2024!
September 15, 2020
I really enjoyed this. It is obvious how hard she works, but Shonda Rhimes is one of those people who makes her life look easy. It was very interesting to hear from her about her very real struggles. Her take aways about women and awards were powerful. And yes, now whenever my kid asks me to play with her, I will play with her even if it's 5 minutes. She is clearly an intensely personal person but i would have loved to hear more about her childhood, high school, college, graduate school, etc.
January 13, 2020
This book what not what I had expected from a self proclaimed amazing story teller. I felt as though I had almost started reading the wrong book. While throughout the book there are some amazing messages, I don't believe that this was the motivational book that I was looking for. Written in the style of a diary, this is more about her personal thoughts and beliefs than an inspiring year of saying yes and ending up in uncomfortable and exciting situations.
September 26, 2020
I listened to this book on audio while driving and I appreciated it was narrated by the author with her real speeches woven in. Shonda made me laugh out loud more times than I can count and gave some good advice along the way. Lower stars as I felt it dragged on a few chapters longer than needed but I’m happy to have listened to and learned all of the ways her year of yes had a positive impact on her life.
March 19, 2021
A few years ago I told a friend I am saying yes to things unless it conflicts prior plans or will cause me physical harm. She mentioned this book. I forgot about it until I found it this year. They say books come to you when you're ready. I think (thanks to 2020) I am at that stage of life where being home and alone seemed like the easier choice. So this book has reminded the joys I experienced when I say yes. Say yes to the book if it's come to you its your time to read it
October 8, 2023
I listened to the audiobook and loved hearing Shonda Rhimes read the book herself. This was an easy listen. Her story was easy to follow with short stories making the book whole. I do wish she wrote more about her experiences in the film industry, the shows she produced, and her writing process. I would suggest it as an audiobook.
January 20, 2020
We all think we are so busy. Shonda made me feel like a big-time slacker! A great reminder of while you are making your dreams come true you should stop and smell the roses or get on the floor and play with your kids.
April 5, 2020
I loved getting to know Shonda Rhimes a little bit better and I'm grateful for her personal experiment as well as her willingness to share it with all of us.
If Shonda can embrace "yes," usher in new experiences, and claim new opportunities, so can we.
If Shonda can embrace "yes," usher in new experiences, and claim new opportunities, so can we.
March 26, 2021
A well written and beautifully read (I listened to the audio book) story. Her words are powerful and engaging and you find yourself both laughing and reflecting on your own intentions and energy in the world.
November 17, 2022
Really enjoyable listen. The author is a fabulous story teller and her message is engaging and thought provoking. I felt like the last few chapters dragged a bit, but I appreciated her perspectives.
December 17, 2022
I really appreciated this book. It made me feel understood and seen. I understand she wanted to keep certain aspects of her life private (ex. Intimate romantic relationships) but I wish we got a tiny bit more insight!!
August 8, 2023
Year of Yes is another book that I listened to on Apple audio. Listening gives a different perspective on the book. It was narrated by the author, Sondra Rhimes
I loved hearing it in her voice. Funny and poignant memoir.
I loved hearing it in her voice. Funny and poignant memoir.
August 1, 2024
Yes, I loved to watch Grace's Anatomy at the time. That time had passed. The book has it, but it's nothing like the one. The personality of the author is nowhere close to it. I'm happy I e-booked it, there is nothing that compares to the actual 1st person voice-over of the author
December 19, 2019
Except for the good sense of humor, I didn’t really like the book. It took me a while to finish it.
January 9, 2020
Great book, thought it would be cheesey at first but I was wrong. The author has such a strong engaging voice throughout the whole book. I would recommend the read Grey's Anatomy fan or foe
January 18, 2020
couldn't finish as found very repetitive
January 20, 2020
Amazing life share and insight - motivational read and made me wonder what I say yes and no to
February 16, 2020
At first I was like what the hell am I reading, but after the 3rd chapter I found myself intrigued but Shonda's story. Great story!
April 3, 2020
Loved!! She is awesome. Good life lessons too. Now I want to go watch Grey’s from the beginning again!!
October 29, 2020
Awesome as an audio book. Includes speeches and other engagements. Very engaging
December 18, 2020
One of my favorites. I have listened to this book several times and would highly recommend. Listening to Shonda Rhimes tell her story was incredibly funny.
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