Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone

Published in 2017, Brené Brown’s Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone presents insights and strategies for finding what Brown refers to as true belonging in a time of increasing cultural polarization in America. Based on Brown’s grounded theory research, true belonging is a practice that involves believing in and belonging to oneself so fully that one can share one’s innermost, authentic self with the rest of the world and still feel connected to a greater humanity even when standing alone.

In Chapter 1, Brown provides personal background for her research on true belonging. She begins with a quote from Maya Angelou, adds anecdotes from her childhood and adult life, and touches on significant events that led her to revisit and expand upon her previous work on the topic. In relating these events, Brown describes how she came to understand how true belonging is a paradox of “being alone but still belonging” and “feeling alone but also strong” (27).

In Chapter 2, Brown reevaluates her research findings on belonging from The Gifts of Imperfection (2010). She notes that while her earlier definition of belonging is still relevant, it is incomplete.