Praise for Holding On and Letting Go by Lindsay Swoboda
“Holding On and Letting Go: A Life in Motion is a memoir that moves like a choreographed piece of music—layered with the tension and release we so often experience in military life. Lindsay Swoboda, a dancer and creative at heart, masterfully captures the rhythm of a life shaped by movement, sacrifice, and the longing to stay connected to oneself in the swirl of service.
As a military spouse, I felt deeply understood in the way she explores the ache of holding on—to dreams, identity, and relationships—and the fear that we’ll lose ourselves somehow in the process. Lindsay doesn’t shy away from the hard moments: the quiet loneliness, the chaotic transitions, and the invisible weight so many spouses carry. But what makes this book truly powerful is its release—the moments of joy, unexpected community, rediscovered passion, gritty perseverance within, and clarity about what truly matters.
Her storytelling is lyrical, grounded, and profoundly human. This is more than a memoir; it’s a performance of resilience, a reminder that in the tension of life’s choreography, there is beauty, growth, and grace in every step.”
—Corie Weathers, LPC, author, clinician, military spouse
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“In Holding On and Letting Go: A Life in Motion, Lindsay Swoboda invites readers into the beautifully complex rhythm of her life as a dancer-turned-military spouse and mom. With honesty and grace, Lindsay shows us how she wrote—and danced—her way through seasons of loneliness and transition. Her writing is clear, inviting, and easy to follow—even as she guides us through the winding, often unpredictable journey of military life that takes her all around the world.
As a veteran military spouse, I’m always grateful for those who open a window into military life and for the readers willing to peer in with empathy. Lindsay offers her story in a way that it will speak not only to military families but to anyone who has ever wrestled with identity, longing, purpose, and change.
This memoir is a delightful exploration of what it means to hold on and let go, to embrace the tension of an ever-changing life, and to find beauty in both rootedness and impermanence. I found so much of my own story in Lindsay’s, and this is a memoir I wish I’d had available to support me through my struggles with anxiety, depression, and loneliness as I began my journeys into marriage, motherhood, and military life.
Holding On and Letting Go is a gift of companionship, a reminder that we are never as alone as we feel, and that there is always a way forward—even when the path is unfamiliar. Readers who enjoy honest memoirs about resilience, creativity, and forging meaning in transitional seasons—especially fellow military spouses, mothers, and creatives—will find much to love in these pages.”
—Kristin Vanderlip, author, artist, and founder of the Pen & Mend Collective
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“As a fellow military spouse, reading this memoir felt like being wrapped in a knowing embrace. From the very first page, I was swept into a beautifully woven journey—one that echoed so many of the emotions, pivots, and quiet triumphs that come with walking alongside those who serve.
This book is more than a memoir—it’s a heartfelt tribute to every military spouse who has ever felt unseen, stretched thin, or quietly brave. It’s a reminder that our stories matter deeply. Readers will find themselves nodding in recognition, laughing through familiar moments, and perhaps shedding a few tears of connection and release. If you’ve lived this life, you’ll find yourself in these pages and you’ll feel celebrated for being you!”
—Shari Biery, purpose and well-being coach, Alive With Purpose Health & Life Coaching