Own Your Everyday by Jordan Lee Dooley
Own Your Everyday by Jordan Lee Dooley is a heartfelt and relatable guide for those seeking purpose in a world full of pressure and noise. Through personal stories and gentle wisdom, Dooley encourages readers to stop striving for perfection and start embracing their everyday lives with confidence and meaning.
Who May Benefit from the Book
- Women feeling overwhelmed by life’s expectations
- Creatives stuck in self-doubt or comparison traps
- Faith-based readers looking for spiritual encouragement
- Young professionals navigating identity and career
- Anyone seeking clarity and purpose amid daily chaos
Top 3 Key Insights
- Purpose isn’t found in achievements, but in embracing who you truly are.
- You must leave your comfort zone to grow and live meaningfully.
- Disappointments often reveal new paths and hidden blessings.
4 More Lessons and Takeaways
- Superficial fixes don’t solve deep problems. Whether it’s acne or insecurities, healing requires going deeper.
- Comparison drains joy. You are not in competition with others; you’re on your own unique journey.
- Progress starts with small steps. You don’t need a full plan to begin something meaningful.
- Vulnerability leads to connection. Letting go of the mask invites authentic relationships and inner peace.
The Book in 1 Sentence
Let go of pressure and perfection to live a life filled with purpose, presence, and joy in the everyday.
The Book Summary in 1 Minute
Jordan Lee Dooley’s Own Your Everyday is a heartfelt exploration of finding purpose without chasing perfection. With stories from her life—from battling acne to dealing with failed dreams—she shows that fulfillment comes from living honestly and intentionally, not through social media standards or career achievements. She urges readers to ditch comparison, embrace their struggles, and take small steps forward. Whether it’s starting a creative project, saying no to cultural pressure, or healing from disappointment, Jordan reminds us that ordinary days hold extraordinary purpose. This book is your guide to showing up fully, embracing the mess, and owning your everyday life.
The Book Summary in 7 Minutes
In Own Your Everyday, Jordan Lee Dooley guides readers through the emotional landscape of modern life—self-doubt, comparison, stress, and the longing for more. Her message is simple but powerful: true purpose isn’t out there waiting to be achieved; it’s already within you.
Redefining Success in a Noisy World
Many of us are chasing big dreams because we believe that’s the only way to be successful. We associate value with visible wins—jobs, followers, degrees. Jordan challenges this mindset. She explains that real success is found in showing up authentically, even when the world is telling you to do more and be more. You don’t need to prove your worth through achievements. You already have value.
Learning from Imperfections
Jordan’s experience with chronic acne became a metaphor for deeper life struggles. She tried to hide her skin under makeup, just as we try to hide our pain behind smiles or busyness. A doctor finally told her the truth: treating the surface won’t heal the root issue. That’s true for skin, and it’s true for the soul.
Lesson: Don’t cover up your insecurities. Understand and address the deeper causes—stress, pressure, fear.
This story invites us to stop managing our image and start doing the inner work. True healing, whether emotional or physical, begins when we stop pretending and start accepting.
Disappointment as Direction
Jordan shares the raw moment when her husband Matt’s NFL dream ended without a single call on draft day. It felt like failure. But with time, they found unexpected blessings. Matt spent cherished time with his father before he passed. Jordan found her voice and started writing.
| Disappointment | What It Led To |
|---|---|
| No NFL contract | Time with family, deeper relationships |
| Confusion and grief | A writing journey and clarity of purpose |
Insight: The worst day may hold the seeds of your greatest growth.
We don’t always get what we want. But often, what we need finds us through closed doors.
Facing Imposter Syndrome
Jordan often felt like a fraud—especially as her online following grew. She feared people would see through her. This “imposter syndrome” almost stopped her from sharing her work. But instead of quitting, she stepped out anyway.
She didn’t need to be an expert. She just had to begin.
Takeaway: Waiting for perfection will keep you stuck. Start with what you have, and grow from there.
Even her Etsy shop began with small steps. She bought supplies. Took photos. Made her first sale. That’s how real change starts—not with a master plan, but with action.
The Danger of Comparison
One of the most relatable stories Jordan shares involves a gym treadmill. She placed herself between two fast runners and pushed herself too hard just to keep up. She ended up exhausted—and for what?
That story reflects a deeper truth. Social media makes us believe everyone is ahead. We try to match their pace, without questioning if it fits us.
| Comparison Causes | Impact |
|---|---|
| Unrealistic expectations | Burnout, insecurity |
| Social pressure | Disconnection from true purpose |
Truth: Comparison steals both joy and clarity.
Jordan encourages readers to get off the “treadmill” of comparison. Focus on your own journey. Life isn’t a race. You’re allowed to move at your own pace.
Letting Go of Others’ Expectations
Jordan once considered taking a corporate internship she didn’t care for—just because it was the “right” thing to do. Her mom’s casual advice, “Well, don’t do it then,” freed her. Sometimes, the pressure we feel isn’t even ours. It’s a mix of cultural expectations and imagined obligations.
You don’t need to follow the traditional path if it doesn’t align with your calling.
Key Insight: You are allowed to disappoint expectations that don’t serve you.
Making choices that honor your values leads to fulfillment—not following someone else’s definition of success.
Embrace Progress Over Perfection
Jordan didn’t have all the answers when she started. She just took the next step. And then the next. That mindset created room for learning, grace, and growth.
You don’t need to be ready. You just need to be willing.
| Perfectionist Thinking | Better Approach |
|---|---|
| “I need a plan.” | “I’ll learn as I go.” |
| “I’m not good enough.” | “I’m growing with each step.” |
By shifting focus from outcomes to progress, you give yourself permission to evolve.
About the Author
Jordan Lee Dooley is a writer, podcaster, and entrepreneur known for her relatable voice and practical wisdom. She started her journey with a handmade shop on Etsy during college. That passion grew into a larger platform, including her top-rated podcast SHE, and her coaching business, The Own It Academy. Jordan is a Christian influencer who speaks to young women seeking faith-based motivation and direction. Her personal struggles—especially with pressure, identity, and comparison—fuel her message of grace, grit, and authenticity.
How to Get the Best of the Book
Read this book slowly, like a conversation with a friend. Reflect on each story. Pause to journal your thoughts. Use the “challenge” sections Jordan includes to act on what you learn.
Conclusion
Own Your Everyday is an honest, gentle guide for anyone caught in the trap of pressure, perfection, or comparison. With stories that feel real and advice that feels possible, Jordan Lee Dooley helps you rediscover purpose in the ordinary. You don’t have to wait for your dream life. Start living fully today.