Do you remember the first time you fell in love—who it was with, where you were, how it happened? Do you have people in your life that you consider to be more like family than simply just friends? Have you ever experienced the loss of someone very close to you? Was there a time in your life where you actually got to know and understand yourself—where self-acceptance and self-love made you finally feel free?
In his memoir, Out East, John Glynn takes readers along on his life-changing personal journey. His affirmative response to all of the questions above are detailed in his account of a memorable Montauk summer. On multiple weekends over the course of that extended summer, John made the trek from New York City to the eastern end of Long Island, NY to be part of a shared house, sometimes with upwards of thirty other people. The plan was to hang out and party with some of his closest friends, make some new friends along the way, and enjoy the beach, bars, and nightlife of Montauk's legendary party scene. Expecting nothing more than good times with good friends, even John was taken by surprise when he learned that a lot can happen in one summer and some of those things can change your life forever.
One thing is certain—that summer in Montauk was a summer of love for John Glynn. For the first time in his life, John experienced an undeniable attraction to another man, whom he ultimately found himself falling in love with as he searched himself for the strength to be open and honest with himself and others. Having met so many new people, John also found himself falling in love—platonically, of course—with many of his new housemates and friends. Most importantly of all, however, John fell in love with himself that summer and his life has been forever changed because of it.
If John Glynn's memoir teaches us one thing, it's that understanding, accepting, and loving yourself can significantly open up your whole world. It can enable you to be more understanding, accepting, and loving toward others and allow others to do the same for you.
I Absolutely recommend Out East and hope that you open your own heart and mind to the endless possibilities that await you on your own personal journey through life. Learn from John's experiences—learn to truly fall in love with yourself so that others may soon follow.
