Shonda Rhimes, The Queen of TV

I am obsessed with Shonda Rhimes

(warning this blog post is basically a love letter to everything Shonda Rhimes, so if your not a fan you might wanna give this one a miss)

 I think she is one of the amazing people ever to exist, not only is she one of the most powerful women in the television industry, she is a single mother of three daughters, she speaks out on what she believes in and has one of the brilliant creative mind I have ever witnessed.

She is someone I admire greatly and feel like I have grown up with. her shows were there to comfort me when I was having a moment and these when I was in a good mood.

I started watching Grey's Anatomy when I was was younger by watching in either by sitting in the kitchen while my mum watched it and I was suppose to be in bed, even when I got a tv in my room, I would watch it with the volume on so low that I couldn't actually hear but it didn't matter I knew what  I was seeing was special.

I think I was around 14 when I actually started watching Grey's Anatomy for real and feel deeply in love with it. I remember watching the season 6 finale and being scarred out of my mind (p.s you shouldn't watch this episode in the dark) or loving the musical episode so much (even though so many other didn't). I also at this time discovered Private Practice, and yet again thought that the way the shown was written was genius and that the characters were so interesting on so many levels.

Once I was hooked, I was totally and completely committed to Shondaland. As Private Practice ended I found Scandal and I spurred it my love of political shows and most the wonderful cast.

What I love about Shonda Rhimes and her shows is that her shows are so relatable, yes there are dramas and events that are completely unrealistic in reality but the actually world these characters live in and the characters themselves are relatable. The characters whether they are doctors, lawyers or fixer go through many of the same struggles that we as a society go through and by watching these characters on screen, I feel as though I can work through my own. Not only do these characters reflect emotions and experiences that I and many others relate to, they also physically represent the outside world. The diversity of race, sex, gender and relationships in the characters of Rhimes' shows presents a real world in time where so much of television conforms to a particular way society view it. Shonda as much as she doesn't like to discuss it pioneered this new diversity and change in television new golden age. This also means she is tackling such headline grabbing topics such as ethics, race, feminism & sexism and handling them in such amazing ways.

Shonda also has a knack with the help of her amazing producing partner Betsy Beers and casting director Linda Lowy of cast amazing actors & actresses in her shows, that are extraordinarily talented and inspiring.


Shonda on her own as I mentioned before is extraordinary and her new book, Year of Yes captures this completely.
The book follows Shonda through her quest to yes to all opportunities offered to her through out the year of 2013/14. This included saying yes to things that scarred her like her inspiring Dartmouth Commencement Speech and starting her weight loss journey.

The way Shonda wrote her book in this very conversational way makes it completely accessible to everyone and as though she is talking directly towards you, making feel entirely inspired.

Obviously I wanted to read this book because I love Shonda and everything about her, I soon realised that this book was the perfect thing for me to be reading as I approached 2016 and all the changes I planned to implement in my life. I realise that Shonda facing her fears and saying yes for a whole year is like me facing my anxiety head on, saying yes to help and facing other things that scarred me like dating and travel.

I can't recommend this book enough, my mum just finished reading and now completely understands my fascination with Shonda, and I will continue to pass it on to everyone. I feel as though anyone can get something out of this book even if you don't exactly know who Shonda Rhimes is, hearing the story of a women completely changing her outlook on life to better herself for both her, her family and career is empowering.

Shonda teaches us you should never be ashamed of, that you should fight for what you believe in, push yourself and find you passion.

Okay another long winded blog but I think its important to surround yourself in things that inspire you and this book is one of those things.

This year I am saying yes to happiness, yes to asking for help, yes to trying to new things & yes to supporting myself. 

I want to task you all to say yes to something that scares you or that your hesitant to do this year. Who know it might be the best decision of your life. First and formost though remember say yes to yourself being happy.

I would love to know what inspires you? Is there someone, a celebrity, athlete, intellectual that pushes you to go after your dreams?         

Love Louise xo


Everybody's got some greatness in them. You do. The girl over there does. That guy on the left has some. But in order to really find it, you have to own it. You have to grab hold of it. You have to believe it

Shonda Rhimes


P.S If you have time check out Shonda's Commencement Speech
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuHQ6TH60_I