The Only Way Through Is Out

Suzette Mullen had a successful life but was in love with her best friend, a woman. After months of inner turmoil, she chose to leave her marriage for a chance at feeling fully alive, but it was not easy. She faced insomnia, illness, the election of Donald Trump, a mouse-ridden rental, blizzards, divorce negotiations, online dating, and the news that her husband already had a girlfriend. When she reached her lowest point, she called a friend who helped her pick up the pieces. Coincidences populated her visit, and she finally fully and publicly embraced her true self, building a life in her new home with a new girlfriend by her side.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 13 February 2024
Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press

Suzette Mullen had always been taught to play it safe, and she despised causing others pain. She had a successful marriage, two grown sons, a lovely vacation home with an ocean view, and college and law degrees. Many people would envy her life, but Suzette was a woman who observed her friends boldly navigating their lives and wondered what was preventing her from doing the same. Suzette was determined to live her next chapter differently, so she dug into her past and uncovered a deeply buried truth: she had been in love with her best friend, a woman, for nearly two decades and still was. Leaning into these "unspeakable" feelings would jeopardize Suzette's identity, relationships, and privileged life.

After months of inner turmoil and soul-searching, Suzette decided to take a risk and leave her marriage for a chance to feel fully alive. Her initial euphoria dissipated under the oppressive weight of reality: insomnia, illnesses, the election of Donald Trump, a mouse-ridden rental, blizzards, divorce negotiations, online dating, and the news that her husband already had a girlfriend. Suzette felt like she had hit rock bottom when she reached her lowest point. However, she reached out to a friend who helped her pick up the pieces.

Coincidences populated her visit to her friend's town, as if the universe was saying, "We've been waiting for you." Finally, Suzette fully and publicly embraced her true self, and she built a life in her new home, with a new girlfriend by her side. "The Only Way Through Is Out" is a coming-out and coming-of-age story, as well as a call to action for every human who is longing to live authentically but is afraid of the cost.

Suzette's journey was not without its challenges. She faced insomnia, illnesses, the election of Donald Trump, a mouse-ridden rental, blizzards, divorce negotiations, online dating, and the news that her husband already had a girlfriend. However, she refused to let these obstacles define her. She leaned into her true self and built a life in her new home, with a new girlfriend by her side.

Suzette's story is a testament to the power of courage and self-love. It reminds us that we all have the capacity to live authentically, even in the face of adversity. It is a call to action for every human who is longing to live authentically but is afraid of the cost. We must courageously embrace our true selves and build a life that is true to our values and desires.

In conclusion, Suzette Mullen's journey is a powerful reminder that we all have the capacity to live authentically, even in the face of adversity. It is a call to action for every human who is longing to live authentically but is afraid of the cost. We must courageously embrace our true selves and build a life that is true to our values and desires.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 146 x 223 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780299345501