You Are Loved, You Are Enough: A Memoir about embracing life

You Are Loved, You Are Enough is an emotional memoir of one woman's journey towards self-love and self-acceptance. Sheryl Oleksak grew up as an only child in New York, with a narcissistic mother and a kind but mostly passive father. From a less-than-perfect childhood-foster siblings coming in and out of the house and attending a harsh diet camp-to an adolescence and young adulthood marked by issues with food, body image, and self-esteem, Sheryl lays out her struggles in a clear, conversational style. As she circles her memories and emotions, the reader is invited to not only see themselves, but see how they can overcome their own past.

A story of how negative parenting can warp someone's perception of themselves so that they constantly seek external validation, and how young women are pressured to meet unrealistic expectations, Sheryl faces bulimia, a long legal saga, disappointing relationships, and the ongoing, relentless negativity of her mother. Gradually though, a core of strength emerges, and she comes to terms with her parents, body, and dietary issues. Exuberantly, she describes her love for travel, dancing, nature, and how being a yoga instructor and Reiki Master became her calling. More than anything, embracing life and helping others live in the present is the purpose of Sheryl's story.

For those wondering if they can overcome the challenges of their early life, or if they're loved for who they are, Sheryl answers in the affirmative: You Can. You Are. But more importantly, her example encourages us to find our own happiness. You Are Loved, You Are Enough is both a title and a reminder that the greatest love is self-love.