Breaking the Lies That Tried to Keep Me Small
For a long time, I wondered if something was wrong with me. I enjoy solitude. I choose stillness over noise. But somewhere along the way, I started asking if that meant I was broken or just protecting myself.
I’ve spent years putting other people first and “playing nice” even when my spirit was screaming for me to stand up for myself. Somewhere along the journey, I forgot how to be there for me.
Then I picked up The Little Book of Big Lies by Tina Lifford. From page one, it felt like a big sister walked in, pulled me close and spoke life into me. Her words didn’t just soothe, they shined a light on truths I’d been tiptoeing around for years.
Tina teaches that the wounds often come not only from what happened, but from the self‑rejection we stack on top of those moments. Handle yourself with love and you stop turning pain into permanent scars.
Her words didn’t just comfort me, they exposed truths I’d been tiptoeing around for years; I wasn’t broken, I was processing. My solitude isn’t loneliness—it’s sanctuary. Transformation isn’t some far‑off dream. It’s here and I hold the key.
I’ve been through storms. I’ve walked through fire. I’m still here, not as someone permanently damaged, but as someone being reshaped. God has been my anchor and Tina’s guidance gave me new tools. I can be the spark for my own change.
If you’ve ever questioned your worth, your resilience, or your ability to start again, this book may be the reminder you’ve been praying for.
About the Book (Quick Facts)
(These details come from the publisher and library listings.)
- Title: The Little Book of Big Lies: A Journey into Inner Fitness
- Author: Tina Lifford
- Publisher: Amistad / HarperCollins
- Originally published: 2019 (hardcover); later paperback editions followed
- Length: ~207 pages
What It’s About (and Why It Landed So Deeply)
Tina Lifford shares 14 personal, hard‑won lessons that build what she calls inner fitness: practices that strengthen how you see yourself so you can move through old pain without losing yourself. It’s practical, compassionate and rooted in lived experience, not fluff.
What Shifted for Me
- From self‑rejection to self‑acceptance. I stopped narrating my life like I was failing and started honoring the woman I’ve survived to become.
- From “forever” thinking to “from this point forward.” The past can inform me without defining me.
- From hiding to gentle visibility. Solitude is sacred, but I don’t have to disappear to stay safe.
- From bracing for harm to building tools. Boundaries, self‑talk and reflection are real protection, not just buzzwords.
Who I Recommend It For
- Survivors who feel strong and tender—and want language for both.
- People ready to swap guilt and people‑pleasing for grounded self‑respect.
- Anyone who’s been hard on themselves for “not putting themselves first.”
My Reader’s Compass Snapshot
I used my Reader’s Compass reflection sheet to score and reflect on this book in ten thoughtful categories (with a 30‑point rating system). You’ll see my scanned review below for the full breakdown and final rating.
Final Word (and a Tool to Go Deeper)
I’ve been through storms. I’ve walked through fire. But I’m still here, not as someone permanently damaged, but as someone being reshaped. God has been my anchor, but Tina’s words gave me a new set of tools. I can be the spark for my own change.
If this book speaks to you, don’t just close it and move on. Capture who you were before you started, who you are now and what you’ll do from this point forward. That’s how real change sticks.
- 10 guided review categories to deepen your takeaways
- A clear 30‑point rating system (with room for notes in each category)
- Space for quotes, final reflections, and your recommendation
- Delivered as a printable PDF in three subtle, thinking‑friendly colors (blue, orange, green)
Ready to read with more insight (and actually remember what moved you)?
👉 Get the Reader’s Compass template and start your next book with intention.