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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“Lindsay Swoboda’s Holding On and Letting Go: A Life in Motion is a deeply relatable memoir that captures the emotional complexities of military life—loneliness, adventure, guilt, love, and the constant push to adapt. As a military spouse, I saw myself in her journey, from the ache of leaving behind a career, family, and friendships to the quiet struggles of marriage and the pressure to make everything seem okay. She puts into words what so many of us feel but rarely say—or even fully understand, offering a sense of connection and validation. Her reflections on home, identity, and resilience remind us that we are always evolving—learning what to carry forward and what to let go. More than a memoir, this book feels like a conversation with a friend who just gets it—reassuring, honest, and beautifully real.”
—Michele Bradfield, army spouse, senior director of brand partnerships at Blue Star Families
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“You know that feeling when you’re watching a movie so good, you can’t even look away long enough to grab more popcorn? That was me—fully locked in from page one of Holding On and Letting Go. I mean … whew. Lindsay didn’t just write a book—she crafted an experience.
There’s a kind of quiet brilliance in the way she weaves her story—moving in and out of deeply personal moments, grounding us in her reality, and then somehow inviting us into our own reflections along the way. You’re not just reading about her life; you’re in it. You feel the moves, the transitions, the unknowns. And with every new duty station or assignment, you see how she imprints meaning onto each chapter—not just for her own story, but for us as readers too. That’s the kind of storytelling that sticks with you.
One moment that really hit me in the heart? Her dad telling her he had lived a good life and that he was happy. I had to sit with that for a minute. And when you read her book youʻll understand this better. It was profound, and it stayed with me.
Honestly, the whole book felt like magic. Thoughtful. Honest. Deeply human. Lindsay doesn’t just tell her story—she invites you to walk through it with her. And by the time you reach the last page, you’ve laughed, cried, reflected, and maybe even let go of a few things yourself.
Bravo, Lindsay. What a beautiful offering.”
—Selena Nohea Conmackie, owner and founder, Hauoli-Socially Inspired
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“In Holding On and Letting Go: A Life in Motion, Lindsay Swoboda’s storytelling feels effortless, yet it’s clear how much heart and craft she’s poured into each page. Unlike many personal narratives, this one draws you in with the kind of writing that makes you eager to return.
Following Lindsay’s journey from early adulthood into life as a mother and military spouse nearing retirement is delightful and enlightening. Her gift of creative nonfiction brings a melodic quality to the experience, making it hard for the reader to put down. Very few books of this genre deliver such a rich, immersive experience where personal reflection and compelling storytelling intertwine seamlessly.
The best writing doesn’t just tell a story—it invites readers to see themselves within it. Lindsay offers just that, inspiring others to revisit their own journey—both metaphorically and literally—and uncover the good that was there all along. She embodies the classic adage of “show, don’t tell,” pulling readers into moments with a whimsical grace that makes them feel fully present.
Holding On and Letting Go: A Life in Motion is the kind of book that lingers with you, one that doesn’t just tell a story but helps you reimagine your own within its pages.”
—Abi Ray, licensed marriage & family therapist, SOF family specialist, and founder of Legacy Magazine
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“Holding On and Letting Go: A Life in Motion is a beautifully written book that offers an honest exploration of life as a military spouse, but it’s so much more. In her gripping, reflective, and often humorous narrative, Lindsay lays bare the challenges and triumphs of building a life with her active-duty husband. It’s a journey marked by frequent international moves, a quest for community and belonging, reinventing herself professionally, raising children, enduring deployments, and navigating the gap between reality and others’ perceptions of what might seem like ‘living the dream’ as a globetrotter. Whether you’ve experienced anything remotely similar, she invites readers to examine their own lives, challenging us to ask: Am I truly living the life I desire?
With vulnerability, insight, and warmth, Lindsay does a masterful job of delving deep into the important process of learning to cling to what matters and release what no longer serves us. While rooted in the unique experiences of military families, it’s a must-read for those seeking light and a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, no matter where you come from—or where you’re headed.”
—Jen McDonald, award-winning author and host of the Milspouse Matters Podcast
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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
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“As an active duty military spouse, I found Lindsay’s memoir both incredibly relatable and profoundly inspiring. Lindsay beautifully captures the sometimes conflicting emotions inherent in military life. Her account is honest, vulnerable, and ultimately, hopeful. I really enjoyed this glimpse into her military journey. Highly recommend!”
—Monica Voicu Denniston, author of Maggie the Military Rat
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“Lindsay shares the real challenge of being a military spouse: Being both committed to sharing a life with her service member, while also listening to her dreams and passion. While it might not look like what she may have had planned for her life, she shows how to find the courage to take the risk, follow the dream, and build a life that thrives even with all the challenges military life can bring. Thank you, Lindsay, for sharing the depths of your soul in this book and giving military spouses a place to be seen and reminded to follow their passion even if it means changing the direction we initially planned to follow.”
—Amanda Huffman, author of A Girl’s Guide to Military Service
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“Holding On and Letting Go is one of the most refreshing books I’ve read in a long while. Lindsay’s words draw you in and put language to thoughts and feelings many of us are unaware we’re experiencing! I was pulled in right away, and though not I nor my spouse are in the military, the journey through decision making Lindsay takes you on was so relatable it drew tears. Not only did I gain a deeper respect for military living, I felt permission to struggle between different kinds of love and passion, empowered to choose, and to accept the sacrifices and pleasures that result. This book is all the things!”
—Rachel Hockett, speaker, writer, actress, and certified professional life coach
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“The timeless value and beauty of a book and its talented author lies in a rare and difficult art: translating feelings into words that give readers clarity on their own emotions. This is precisely what Lindsay Swoboda’s memoir, Holding On and Letting Go, manages to achieve.
Written in an intimate and confident tone, this memoir does not just witness the coming-of-age tale of a young and hopeful dancer who transforms into a more mature and realistic military spouse. It shouts about the unspoken, the guilt, and the struggle … With every turn of the page, Lindsay must choose how much to hold on and how much to let go. The negotiations are tough, raw, and unfiltered … as she tries to come to terms with the harsh reality that every military spouse must face: the mission comes first. Yet, with the grace of a dancer and the determination of an independent, free-thinking mind, she succeeds in creating a space where she belongs and that belongs to her. The space is artistic, unconventional, and perfect for our protagonist who claims, with her strong and elegant presence, the spotlight on every page. Readers can’t help but marvel as she flows and twirls from Korea to Hawaii and Japan to Morocco, fiercely protecting her creative spirit and negotiating her presence into the structured and strict military world.
Lindsay translated this space on every page of her memoir, thus allowing countless other strong-minded, artistic, and free-spirited readers like us to join her, feel seen and validated, and understand that, as the author states, ‘A life well lived is one where we notice the life we are living.’ ”
—Brunella Costagliola, owner of The Military Editor® Agency
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“Generous, honest and hopeful, Holding On and Letting Go tells Lindsay Swoboda’s experience of the military life with beautiful writing and engaging storytelling, lighting the path for other military spouses to follow. The voice of a trusted friend, the book shines a light on all aspects of the military experience—both the good and the hard—showing others in this lifestyle that they are not alone. The thread of hope that it is possible to live this life well is always there through Lindsay’s courageous insistence that she is able to find her own place in this world as well. A must-read for anyone connected to the military.”
—Sarah Sandifer, military spouse, writer and podcaster
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“Holding On and Letting Go: A Life in Motion is a billet-doux; a heartwarming love letter to the endless discoveries of friendship. The discovery of friendship within oneself, profession, marriage, home, community, and foreign country. Lindsay vulnerably brings the reader into the pages of her life’s story as she navigates the depths of becoming.
Holding On and Letting Go asks us to juxtapose what we will carry with us and what will stay as we pivot into newer seasons. Lindsay paints a life in motion that so succinctly communicates the challenges and growth of a transient life, often experienced as a military spouse. As the reader journeys alongside Lindsay, literary suitcases in hand, we witness firsthand the vulnerability of goodbye and beginning again. Lindsay asks us to open our bursting at the seams trunks to reflect on risks taken, cherished memories made, and friendships gathered. We then must pack these memories away in our hearts and dig for the promised seeds of growth in our suitcase. We throw these seeds into the wind in hopes each will sprout the roots of what will define us in this here and now. We witness Lindsay boldly walk trials and tribulations, tenderly nurturing and pruning the growing seeds of each season. In Holding On and Letting Go, we witness Lindsay choose to stay open. A choice that required Lindsay to vulnerably try amidst the hardest unknowns. Because of her willingness to try, we watch endless measures of friendship with herself, community, and marriage unfold in beautifully unexpected ways.
It is a joy to know Lindsay and to read Holding On and Letting Go: A Life in Motion. Lindsay chose to see my heart without reservation, as she once asked of others in this memoir, giving my family community in a season of transition and vast unknowns. It is because of military spouses like Lindsay that my suitcase bursts at the seams as we continue to hold on and let go.”
—AshLeigh Link, RiposoReads
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“Reading Lindsay Swoboda’s book isn’t just a testimony to a life lived with intention, but a reminder that the life before us is the greatest gift. Holding On and Letting Go, written with such lyrical words and beauty, will meet any reader looking to find hope in their lives. I loved traveling with Lindsay and her family, but more importantly, I loved seeing my life through this lens of holding on and letting go.”
—Kimberly Knowle-Zeller, author of The Beauty of Motherhood: Grace-Filled Devotions for the Early Years
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“Present, whole, and filled with great hope … There’s a theme that threads through Lindsay’s story that whispers, ‘not quite like I imagined.’ As a fellow military spouse, I feel that fully and completely. And yet, the resounding truth remains: ‘And it was worth it.’
Lindsay’s storytelling is an invitation to step beyond the safe, nestled pages of our own stories and dare to share them. What richness might we miss by choosing silence over vulnerability? With honesty and warmth, she illuminates the tension between what we long for and what we have, offering a perspective that is both comforting and deeply transformative.
I haven’t traveled the world like Lindsay and Ryan, but her words instill a quiet confidence—an assurance that I, too, can navigate each new adventure, no matter where it leads. Whether your transitions involve international flights or a simple move across town, her experiences offer both inspiration and practical wisdom for creating a sense of home in the unfamiliar.
‘Our stories are our homes, and we can take them with us,’ she writes. This truth reverberates through each chapter, a reminder that even in uncertainty, we carry with us the people, places, and moments that have shaped us. This book is an unabashed celebration of friendship, of the necessity of leaning on one another. It is a call to decide—now—who we will be in the midst of life’s hurricanes and to begin cultivating that resilience today. And in the deepest valleys, it teaches us to remain present—to capture the moments that whisper, you are still here, still alive, hope is still possible.
This book dares us to fight for the light. To embrace the unexpected. To live fully, even when the story unfolds differently than we imagined. And in doing so, it gives us the courage to write a story worth telling. Military spouse or not, if you’ve ever found yourself floundering, fearful, in the midst of an unknown future, or heading into something new while also longing to find the light, this book is for you.”
—Barb Thompson, PhD, military psychologist, military spouse, US Army veteran