Michelle Williams has been publicly advocating for mental health awareness for many years. With her debut book, Checking In: How Getting Real about Depression Saved My Life — and Can Save Yours, she takes it to the next level. Throughout the book’s 211 pages, Michelle bares her soul with endearing vulnerability. It’s a quality that anyone familiar with her knows well, and one that anyone who has struggled with depression and/or anxiety will surely appreciate. Reading Checking In, you will feel comforted and understood, never attacked or judged. Michelle is honest, but compassionate – with us, and with herself.

To promote the book, Michelle launched her own podcast, Checking In with Michelle Williams, where she checks in with guests about mental health and other topics. In the book, however, it feels like a check in between Michelle and you, the reader. Her tone is conversational, allowing for a closeness that feels necessary considering the intimate details of her life she shares.

Checking In: Childhood to Adulthood

While Checking In may be a quick read, Michelle holds little back. While two particular life-changing check-ins inspired Michelle to take pen to paper and share her journey, her battle with depression is one she’s been fighting since middle school, she says. To give context for what transpired in July and December of 2018, Michelle works through necessary elements from her past in order to make sense of her actions. She assesses the effects of her relationships with her parents, and evaluates the impact of teenage bullies. Then, of course, she addresses being thrust into the spotlight as a member of Destiny’s Child at just 20 years old. How do fame and undiagnosed depression mix? Michelle certainly sheds light on that.

Yes, she talks Destiny’s Child, but it’s no scandalous tell-all. The stories are relevant to her personal journey with mental health. She address the group disbandment with surprising frankness, a moment when her candid vulnerability is unabashedly on display. However, as deep as Michelle gets, her humor is there. She’ll tell you how she really feels about the infamous fall on 106 & Park, she’ll tell you her thoughts about “#PoorMichelle,” and her signature clap-backs will make you “oop!”. Her quip about the success of her 2008 dance-pop album Unexpected will make you chuckle, and then go “aww.” You’ll really feel the soul and heart hiding behind her sometimes self-depreciating humor.

Checking In: Michelle Gets Real

Of course, then there’s the broken engagement. You know, the one she filmed a whole reality show about with ex-fiancee Chad Johnson. Since that was intricately connected to those two, life-changing check-ins in 2018, she naturally divulges a lot of insights into what happened there. The way in which she is able to write with such clarity about what happened is a testament to the effectiveness of the “check-in” philosophy she recommends. It’s a marvel reading 2021 Michelle share the lows that 2018 Michelle faced; the growth is so apparent.

She didn’t do it on her own though, and she gives credit where it’s due. Therapy, solid friendships and unwavering faith are all pillars holding up Michelle’s Checking In manifesto. It’s no surprise, considering she’s released three successful gospel albums, that Michelle’s book has many references to Bible scripture. With how familiar she is with them, they almost feel like anecdotes pulled her inner circle. That’s how close she keeps God. Regardless of your own religious affiliation, you’ll appreciate the wisdom imparted by the quotes Michelle selected.

Checking In: It’s Your Turn

In short, Checking In by Michelle Williams is definitely worth the read, or even a listen. If audiobooks are your thing, definitely check that out. Hearing Michelle narrating it personally adds another dimension to the book, and her hilarious little asides will brighten your day. Checking In is a self-help book: for the author, and the reader. If you’ve ever felt unsure of yourself, down and out but you couldn’t explain why, Michelle’s words in this book will inspire you to check in with yourself. But first, you’ve gotta check in with Michelle. So, get this book and begin your own journey.

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1. “Purpose in Your Storm”

This uptempo kicks off the playlist with “Purpose in Your Storm” from Michelle’s 2004 sophomore album, Do You Know. This bop acknowledges life’s challenges, but motivates the listener to press on and push through it all.

“It’s temporary, it’s gonna get better
Yes it will…
There is a light that’s shinin’
And soon the dawn will come
You’ll find purpose
Purpose in your storm”

2. “If We Had Your Eyes”

Similar to “Purpose,” the lead single from her 2014 album Journey to Freedom, “If We Had Your Eyes” tells about the clarity that would come if we had the foresight to understand the purpose behind our hard times. In these times of panic and confusion, stuck staying at home with no end in sight, patience is key. The duet version with Fantasia also adds a certain strength in numbers to its message.

“God, if I had Your eyes
I could love better and
Have more compassion and
I could understand what I’m going through
While I’m going through
I’d be more patient
God help me to see things the way that you see things
Did I already say help me to be patient?
Say that again…”

3. “Everything” (2002)

This encouraging song from Michelle’s debut solo album, Heart to Yours, delivers a message to reassure the listener that no matter what you are going through, you just need a little faith to remain strong and persevere through it all.

“‘Cause everbody’s done passed you by and,
You’re left alone to thing about it.
Well I just wanted to encourage you,
And let you know that He will bring you through”

4. “Fearless”

Michelle’s most recent single, “Fearless,” is an anthemic celebration of self. The song finds Michelle reaffirming that she herself is “fearless,” and has the strength to overcome her fears. It is a powerful song for a time when many of us feel so helpless.

“Every nation
Standin’ side by side
That don’t mind givin’
Givin’ the best of life
‘Cause I’m fearless”

5. “The Greatest”

While sometimes we feel like we are going through hard times alone, most of us have someone to turn to for comfort and reassurance, whether it’s God or a loved one. “The Greatest,” from her 2008 pop album, Unexpected, is a purposefully ambiguous love song that exudes gratitude.

“Thought everything had changed
Until the day you came
And took away the pain
Baby you’re the greatest
I always wore a frown
I never used to smile
Until you showed me how
Baby you’re the greatest”

6. “Sun Will Shine Again”

Another anthem of encouragement from her debut album, “Sun Will Shine Again” serves as a reminder that the darkness we are facing will not last forever, and we, like the sun, will rise again.

“The situation don’t look good
I know you’d change it if you could
The sun will shine again
The trouble’s all in your mind
Don’t run away, give it time
The sun will shine again…
This is not the way it will end.”

7. “In the Morning”

Echoing the sentiments of the previous song, “In the Morning” is a metaphoric song from 2014’s Journey to Freedom that lets the listener know they are not alone. Michelle makes it personal, letting us know that she’s been through hard times, but knows you’ll make it through, because she has.

“It’s all in your face
I see you think that I’m crazy
There’s no way I could know
But I only talk about what I know about
I’ve been there before
When you know you’re alive
Because it kills inside
And you wish you could go numb
And even my day dreams were a bad scene
Please God wake me up”

8. “Heard a Word”

With her debut solo single “Heard a Word,” Michelle let the world know that her mission was to lift us all up and inspire the world with her words and her voice. “Heard a Word” was the first of many healing hymns that she’s delivered throughout her career.

“I heard a word
Saying, Girl you’ll be fine
I heard a word
That would ease my troubled mind
Took all the hurt away
Warmed me up inside like a summer day
So glad You said You’d never break your promises”

9. “Do You Know” (Live in Atlanta, 2005)

For anyone who was previously unaware, Michelle let it be known with her 2005 performance of “Do You Know” that she could move the masses with her phenomenal voice. On Destiny’s Child’s 2005 tour, Michelle used her solo spot to shine the light on her inspirational anthem, “Do You Know,” from her 2004 album of the same title. Night after night, she tore the house down with her powerful voice and, thankfully, the performance was recorded to be relived again and again by fans.

“I hate to see you cry,
It’s like your world is torn apart
Just know that God is faithful
He’ll heal your wounded heart”

10. “Say Yes,” featuring Kelly Rowland & Beyoncé (Live at the Stellar Awards, 2015)

Reunited with her sisters in song, Kelly and Beyoncé, Michelle took the world by storm with her 2014 hit single, “Say Yes.” This infectious anthem of praise was heard around the world, and the world rejoiced along with their favorite trio, with Michelle at the helm. Their 2015 live performance of the song at the Stellar Awards further elevated its greatness. Watch below.

“I’m not worried ‘bout a thing
Cause I know you are guiding me
Where you lead me, Lord I will go
I have no fear cause I know who’s in control”

11. “It’s Good to Be Here”

Another uplifting uptempo, “It’s Good to Be Here” is perhaps the song that feels most appropriate in these troubled times. A song of gratitude, “It’s Good to Be Here” finds Michelle giving thanks for life, for health, for friends and family. It’s a message we all could use reminding of in the face of a pandemic.

“Just another day’s journey
And I’m glad about it
I got my health and my strenght
I can shout about it
Somebody didn’t make it
They can’t testify the day
That’s why I’m so grateful
And I’m mighty glad to say
It’s good to be here”

12. “We Break the Dawn”

While we all may be confined to our homes right now (hopefully), soon enough we will be able to go out, get together, and dance the night away once more. Whether that be at a club, bar, or your own backyard house party, this dance floor ready groove from Michelle’s 2008 dance pop album, Unexpected, is sure to move you to, well, “break the dawn”.

“Oh there’s somethin’ bout the skylight tonight
Something that makes me know everythin’s gon’ be alright
There’s somethin’ in the way that the stars align
There’s not a single moment I’m a pass by

The hour’s now, the bass is loud
The disco lights, shinin’ through the crowd
We’re holdin’ time in our hands
And it stops when we say, we say
And we ain’t stoppin’ ’til the morning light”

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