An Evening with Brianna Wiest
In an effort to say yes to more and experience diverse opportunities, I said a big hell yes to attending an intimate evening at Indigo on Granville with a girlfriend earlier this month, where Brianna Wiest was being featured for her new book The Life That’s Waiting, in conversation with Bianca Sparacino (aka @rainbowsalt on IG).
The Life That’s Waiting, Brianna’s 10th published book.
Upon entering the store, we stopped by a table where we were given a copy of the new book and a bookmark with our names handwritten on it, so Brianna would have the spelling later when she signed our books. I also brought my copy of 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think for her to sign.
The event took place upstairs, nestled amongst the books and home decor section. The crowd was about 80 people, maybe more. Two security guards stood quietly behind the two women as they spoke about life, what it means to be alive, and how to navigate difficult moments. The audience was silent, hanging onto every word that drifted from their mouths, as poetic as their writing.
After about 30 minutes of intimate conversation between the two long-time friends, it was time for audience questions. While a few people asked for writing advice, most leaned in with questions about life — navigating change, finding peace, and staying true to themselves.
I first learned of Brianna a few years ago through Instagram. Her words, her wisdom, and her energy are powerful, as though she’s lived many lives before this one. It's a privilege to be in the presence of someone who writes and speaks with such passion, sharing that energy with an excited community.
As for the book, I plowed through quickly. Here are some of the highlights that stayed with me:
Highlights from The Life That’s Waiting:
Let go of the life you think you should have, to step into the one that's truly waiting for you.
Your peace will cost you your comfort zone — but it will be worth it.
Sometimes courage isn’t about grand gestures; it’s the quiet decision to stay open when you want to shut down.
Happiness is found on the other side of release — when you let go of the people, places, and versions of yourself that no longer fit.
The life you want isn’t perfect — but it’s real, and it’s yours.
The evening was a great reminder that it’s a beautiful day to be alive and in a community of lovers, dreamers, and seekers, all walking a similar path toward a life they adore.
-HM
