Apr 21, 20214 min read

Straight Up By Trent Shelton (Book Review)

Hey Lovelies,

I’m not even going to lie, I am really sad that I finished this book because it was so compelling!

After months of listening to the Podcast Straight Up in anticipation of this book, I was so excited to unwrap it in the mail!

I read through the chapters every morning and looked forward to doing some real, honest, unfiltered, and much-needed self-reflection.

Synopsis

Bestselling author and former NFL player Trent Shelton shares essential life lessons in this inspirational book.

In the book, Straight Up by Trent Shelton,

he brings up some hard-hitting topics and truths about relationships, friendships, fear, depression, and even personal past trauma.

This book elevates the game of protecting one’s peace with self-help strategies and personal development Pep Talks.

Shelton explores the challenges most young adults face and drops some true words of wisdom.

While we can’t always escape our past mistakes and traumas we can learn from them and start to heal as we move forward as Shelton describes in his book.

The inspirational

This book made me face some harsh truths about reality.

I realized how much weight I was carrying on my shoulders all because I was too afraid to ask for help.

Something that happens all too often as young adults and even in our teenage years is the misconception that we have to have a DIY attitude about everything.

But Shelton suggests that we cannot deny reality but rather when we feel ourselves sinking we must call out for help.

In the midst of our hurt and pain, we have to be willing to fight for our lives and get help from others along the way.

We have to understand the magnitude of protecting our peace and when we are unable to focus, feeling fatigued, or worried all the time that’s a sign we need help.

Taking the opportunity to disconnect from tech and find support systems in the real world is good for the soul.

Another piece of advice that Shelton gives is that not everyone can be your friend.

That one really resonated with me because I had met so many people over the years who were only friendly when it worked in their favor.

Maybe you know the type of friends I’m talking about the ones who randomly pop up to move farther up in the lunch line. Or the ones who need answers for last night's homework?

It really hit me once I moved back home and graduated college how many people I lost touch with. Especially amid a global pandemic your perspective on friendships really changes.

But the friends who you are really meant to have in your life will be there for you no matter what. They’re the ones who are brutally honest and the ones your mom actually let inside the house.

If you are staying true to yourself and living in the moment you will always find those with pure hearts in your corner.

You have to keep positive energy around you and protect your mental space at all times.

Everyone grows at their own pace and you cannot compare your own journey to that of your friends or others.

Shelton reminds us that sometimes “people do the least by doing the most.”

I reached a breaking point myself after being too busy trying not to be lazy that I lost myself.

In high school I was an overachiever, I was on the debate team, I was Treasurer of Essence Literary Magazine, member of National Honor Society, member of Art Appreciation Club, American Sign Language Club, Volunteer mentor at the local library and I took on three AP classes at one point.

Looking back I wish I had given myself more time to breathe and sleep.

It’s okay not to have it all together all the time. That’s part of life and it doesn’t mean your failure it means you’re human.

The truth is that if I had spent a little less time trying to be busy and a little more time focusing on my basic needs I probably would have a better sense of self a lot sooner.

I would’ve had more time to spend with friends and family before heading off to college.