The Power of Saying "Yes"

In The Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes—brilliant creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal—takes us on a heartwarming and relatable journey of self-discovery. Despite her career success, Shonda reveals that behind the scenes, she was overwhelmed by fear and social anxiety, often saying “no” to opportunities that made her uncomfortable. It wasn’t until her sister casually pointed out, "You never say yes to anything," that Shonda realized how much her fears were holding her back. Determined to break free, she committed to saying "yes" to everything that scared her for an entire year.

Shonda’s writing style feels like you’re chatting with a close friend—funny, candid, and full of wisdom. She doesn’t sugarcoat her struggles, whether it’s her anxiety around public speaking, her battles with body image, or the difficulty of balancing a demanding career with motherhood. Her authenticity makes this book so powerful and relatable. We all have fears, and Shonda shows us that even the most successful people can struggle too.

Through this bold experiment, Shonda tackled some of her biggest fears and discomforts. For instance, she was terrified of public speaking, which led her to avoid major speaking engagements and interviews—even ones that could have significantly advanced her career. However, during her "year of yes," she agreed to deliver a commencement speech at Dartmouth College, a daunting task that pushed her out of her comfort zone. She candidly shares how she survived the experience and the surprising confidence it gave her moving forward.

Shonda also shares how her relationship with her body evolved. For years, she struggled with body image and self-acceptance. But instead of focusing on weight loss to meet societal expectations, she said yes to wellness—choosing to prioritize her health and how she felt rather than how she looked. In doing so, she found more joy and peace with her body.

Her busy career and role as a mother presented another challenge—work-life balance. Like many of us, Shonda struggled to carve out time for her children and herself amidst the demands of Hollywood. By saying yes to being more present with her kids and yes to taking better care of herself, she realized how important it was to create space for joy, play, and rest. One powerful example was her commitment to be home for family dinners, no matter what, reminding readers that even small acts of saying yes to what matters most can transform your life.

Some of the areas Shonda covers include:

Overcoming social anxiety: Shonda was terrified of public speaking and social events, but by saying yes, she slowly built confidence in facing these challenges head-on.

Body image and health: She vulnerably discusses her journey with weight and how saying yes to wellness—not just to look a certain way, but to feel good—helped her love her body more.

Work-life balance: Like many of us, Shonda had to learn to say yes to time with her children and self-care, even in the midst of a hectic work schedule. Her reminder that it’s okay to prioritize joy is so important in today’s busy world.

What makes Shonda’s approach so inspiring is how practical it is. She doesn’t expect you to transform overnight. Instead, she shows that by taking small steps—saying yes to things that make you nervous—you can slowly expand your comfort zone. Whether it’s speaking up at a meeting, attending a social event, or just saying yes to fun and joy in your daily life, these little changes add up.

Shonda also reminds us that part of saying yes to yourself is learning to say no to things that drain your energy or don’t serve you. It’s all about creating a life where you embrace both your strengths and vulnerabilities with love.

For anyone struggling with fear, self-doubt, or feeling stuck, The Year of Yes is like a friendly guide to living a fuller, more courageous life. Shonda’s journey shows us that by saying yes to what scares us, we open up space for more joy, connection, and self-love. If you’re ready to embrace life more fully, this book will inspire you to start your own year of yes—one small step at a time.