A Life Unfolding: Siobhan Sorrell Reflects on Her Raw and Honest Memoir

In Life, Siobhan Sorrell opens the door to her inner world with fierce honesty and emotional clarity. Blending the intimacy of a personal journal with the structure of a memoir, this powerful debut explores the pain of loss, the complexity of relationships, and the quiet strength it takes to survive, and eventually to heal.

Told through moments both sharp and soft, Life is a portrait of motherhood, grief, identity, and survival. It doesn’t offer easy answers, but instead allows space for truth, transformation, and reflection.

We caught up with Siobhan to find out more about the experiences that shaped Life, what it meant to write it, and how her story continues to evolve.

Life reads like a deeply personal and unfiltered journal. What motivated you to share your story in this form?

Well, my first idea to start writing was my children. Trying to empower and teach them that LIFE is going to be tough at times, and as much as I'm going to do my best to protect them, as they enter adulthood, they are going to experience not only the best moments of life but also the tough times too. I began to wonder, what if I wrote down all my life lessons and sweet tips I've learnt along my way to help them? What if I can then help others too? So, I began to write...

The book covers themes of loss, love, motherhood, and survival. Were there particular moments you found especially difficult, or necessary, to write?

Some parts were difficult to write, purely because I'd never want to upset anyone. I'm a very 'it is what it is' kind of person. Things have happened in my life that I either let break me down or put fire in my belly. We as adults get to choose which path. I'm not denying that times have been incredibly heart-wrenching, but the key is to not stay there. I've written as raw and authentic as I possibly can and hope the readers can relate on some level.

Your writing style is raw, fragmented at times, and powerfully honest. Did the structure evolve naturally, or was it a conscious decision?

Initially the flow of the book was to just write. No order or specific plan. Just to have writing sessions and write about certain aspects of LIFE. So I guess the sessions then reflected the mood or moment I was in. I wanted to discuss 'life' topics such as boundaries, therapy and self-love. 

Many readers may find themselves reflected in your experiences. What do you hope they take away from Life?

I believe we can all relate on some level to my book; it is Life. I'm not any different from the next person, so we will all experience hardships on some level. Be that divorce, miscarriage and even life epiphanies. My hope is that whoever reads my book comes away with a sense of relief that they aren't alone. I hope it brings about a sense of contentment and strength to go and feed their soul and live the life they deserve.

When writing about such deeply personal themes, how did you balance vulnerability with boundaries?

To be truly authentic, you have to be vulnerable. Vulnerability allows people to relate to you, as we will have all experienced that at times throughout our lives. This book has allowed me to discuss things I feel are important in surviving life and in hoping that I've got that balance right. 

Were there moments during the writing process where you found unexpected clarity or healing?

Writing Life was definitely a massive healing session. Ironic, right! Here I am trying to pass on as much information as possible to make life sweet for people in this crazy world, and parts of myself were healing in the process. Which was an unexpected experience. I definitely found myself being kinder to my younger self and giving that little girl I once was some love. 

Did you find writing to be more of a release, a responsibility, or something in between?

There is a little sense of responsibility with writing purely because of the purpose of the book; to share my thoughts and feelings on aspects of life that I think will help people is quite a big responsibility. Especially if people disagree. Here's where standing in my vulnerability hits home. 

If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

As I sit here today, if I could go back to my younger self and give her one piece of advice... I'd tell her to go and live her life fiercely and then hand her my book to read. 

When you're not writing, what helps you feel grounded or joyful?

There are quite a few different things I try to do to feed my soul. I discuss that in my book. This includes family time with my little tribe, walks in the woods with my dog and, of course, music. Music is my church. Music is my life. I often find myself listening to a live band in complete awe, knowing this is exactly where I'm meant to be, and that keeps my feet firmly grounded.  

Where can readers connect with you or follow your journey?

People can connect with me via social media by heading over to my Instagram or even on my life coaching page.