We live in confusing times, in a crazy world. How is a girl supposed to thrive amidst all this chaos? While it’s hard to find one definitive answer, author and entrepreneur Giovanna Silvestre is easing our journey with a new memoir and guidebook that essentially tells readers, “hey, don’t worry, I’ve been through it too and I’m here for you!”.
Her new book ‘Confused Girl: Find Your Peace in the Chaos’ (on-sale May 13, 2025) empowers women of all ages to chart a positive course through a rapidly changing world. Praised by Forbes and NBC, Giovanna shares her transformative journey from an ego-driven, early Hollywood career to finding true self-acceptance and inner peace. Through raw and honest storytelling, she opens up about her struggles with identity and purpose, including a challenging period of depression in her late twenties (which she refers to as the “Dark Night of My LA Soul”) that ultimately led to her awakening.
Throughout the book, Giovanna includes “Confused Girl Recaps” thoroughly breaking down her source-cited advice and building up her readers insight to key topics for self-discovery such as:
- Little Miss Confused — We all travel bumpy roads in our twenties, but every decade of life has something we must discover. Awakenings have their own divine timing, so don’t beat yourself up.
- The Loving Yourself Checklist — Stop over-apologizing and start trusting your own creativity. Make a vow to lovingly and kindly be in charge of your own life.
- Practice Appreciation, Release Judgement — Instead of allowing comparisons to use you, use them as learning opportunities.
- Be a Little Messy, Messy People are Masterminds — It’s about exploring without worrying about the small stuff.
- Decoding Romantic Relationships — Unravel the attraction mystery by acknowledging that attraction reflects hidden desires and unmet needs within you. By taking a step back and examining the bigger picture, we decode the messages our attractions are sending us.
- Destiny is a Moving Target — Accept the change: Follow the calling of your soul, overcome the fear created by the ego, trust in your ability to navigate the unknown, and make significant shifts in your life.
A powerful blend of self-help and intimate storytelling, ‘Confused Girl’ is here to guide women through the turbulence of the modern world and help them fearlessly create the life of their dreams.
We had the chance to speak with Giovanna in the lead up to the release of her book to learn more about her story, the impact on her identity to pivot away from a successful career in Hollywood, and what she would tell younger Giovanna based on what she knows about herself and the world today!
When did you begin writing ‘Confused Girl’, and who did you have in mind when you were working on it?
I began writing “Confused Girl: Find Your Peace in the Chaos” back in 2018. It was a transformative time for me—I packed up my life in Los Angeles with just a suitcase and a backpack and headed to Bali, Indonesia, where I spent a year soaking in the beautiful vibes of the island. I chose that tranquil setting because I wanted to create a peaceful atmosphere to fuel my writing. Every day, I practiced yoga to calm my mind and body, which really helped me tap into that sweet creative zone.
While I was there, surrounded by Bali’s stunning landscapes and spiritual energy, I found inspiration flowing like never before. But what really drove me was thinking about the women who might need this book. A decade ago, I went through a major depression, and I often found myself feeling worthless, helpless, and utterly lost. So, as I wrote, I envisioned the book as a lifeline for anyone—especially women—who might be struggling, feeling confused, or stuck in their lives. It’s really a reflection of what I wished I had during those tough times, and I hope it resonates with others who are searching for their own peace in the chaos.
You are incredibly vulnerable in this book, which we believe is a superpower! How did it feel going back through those moments in your life to write about them for ‘Confused Girl’?
Vulnerability feels like a superpower to me now. After overcoming my depression and embarking on my spiritual journey, I’ve come to understand the power of sharing my experiences. There was a time when being vulnerable didn’t come easily to me, but I’ve learned that when we open up, we help others feel less alone. It creates compassion and understanding, reminding us that everyone goes through tough times—even if it seems like others have it all together.
That said, revisiting those difficult moments while writing “Confused Girl: Find Your Peace in the Chaos” was definitely a challenge. Reliving the pain from my depression and other tough experiences brought up emotions I had moved past, and it was uncomfortable at times.
To help navigate that discomfort, I made sure to create a nurturing environment for myself. Being in Bali, surrounded by beauty, practicing yoga, and focusing on self-care—things that I talk about in the book—helped me process those feelings. Ultimately, I believe that sharing these vulnerable moments not only aids my own healing but also serves as a beacon of hope for others who might be facing their own battles.
Having seen a lot of early success in your Hollywood career, then going through a massive identity shift years later, what is the biggest lesson you learned and want to share about this?
The biggest lesson I learned from my experience—going from early success in Hollywood to undergoing a massive identity shift—was about authenticity. I realized that for a long time, I was living my life based on what I thought looked cool or what would please my family and fit me into societal expectations. It was all very image-based, and honestly, it wasn’t making me happy at all. There were days when I had to drag myself out of bed, feeling butterflies in my stomach and just… uncomfortable.
I’m incredibly grateful for my time in the entertainment industry because it taught me a lot. I learned how to navigate different personalities, developed thicker skin, and discovered what I truly didn’t want to do. Those experiences added to my overall wisdom as a human being, and I value them now. But during my depression, it hit me that I had been chasing things that seemed impressive instead of exploring what truly resonated with my soul.
After that realization, I made a commitment to myself: I wanted to feel good in my own skin and figure out who I was without tying my identity to my career, money, possessions, or relationships. I wanted to find joy and fulfillment from within, simply because I exist. That shift has been profoundly liberating and has opened up a new path for me, one that’s much more aligned with my true self.
Ego is something that all of us have to deal with in our lives, and it can be tough to put it aside! What advice do you have for readers, especially women, who read ‘Confused Girl’ in terms of not allowing our egos to drive our life?
Ego is something we all grapple with, and it can be challenging to keep it in check. My advice for readers, especially women, is to cultivate self-awareness and practice mindfulness. When we’re aware of our thoughts and feelings, we can start to recognize when our ego is trying to take the wheel—whether it’s pushing us to seek validation, compete with others, or cling to a certain image.
One powerful practice is to regularly check in with yourself. Ask questions like: “What truly matters to me?” and “Am I making this decision based on my values or to satisfy my ego?” When you can differentiate between what your heart wants and what your ego demands, you can make choices that align with your true self.
Another important aspect is to welcome vulnerability. It’s easy for our ego to thrive in environments where we’re focused on appearances or comparisons. By sharing our struggles and being open about our experiences, we not only connect with others but also diminish the power of the ego.
Lastly, remember that it’s perfectly okay to let go of the need for perfection or external validation. Make peace with your imperfections and recognize that everyone has their own path. When we learn to celebrate our uniqueness and practice self-compassion, we can keep our ego in check and live more joyfully.
Where did you ultimately find the greatest fulfillment, or more important, find yourself, after pivoting away from Hollywood?
I found my greatest fulfillment in understanding that I didn’t want my self-worth tied to external things anymore. Stepping away from Hollywood allowed me to cultivate a sense of self-worth, contentment, and peace within myself. Once I achieved that, everything I did became a more exciting and joyful experience. I stopped judging, criticizing, and comparing myself to others, which freed me up to genuinely enjoy what I was doing.
Instead of focusing on what I thought I should be doing or measuring my success against someone else’s standards, I concentrated on my own path. I followed the breadcrumbs that the universe laid out for me, and that led to fulfillment in the things I pursued. I found that I felt good about myself, regardless of what might happen next. Whether things met my expectations or not didn’t matter as much anymore.
Making a major change to our life or career trajectory can be incredible daunting or scary. What encouragement do you have for someone who is facing this decision right now?
I totally understand that making a major change in life or career can feel incredibly daunting and scary. My encouragement for anyone facing this decision is to remember that life is very short. My father passed away almost two years ago, and losing someone who meant so much to me really highlighted the fact that none of us are here forever. We don’t know how much time we have, so why not treat life like an adventure?
Think of it as an opportunity to experiment and explore. Follow your passions and try new things—what’s the worst that could happen? You might stumble along the way, but every experience teaches us something valuable. Taking that step can lead to significant growth, new opportunities, and a deeper understanding of who you are.
So, if you’re feeling that pull to make a change, trust yourself and your instincts. You might just discover a path that brings fulfillment in ways you never imagined.
People often think “destiny” means one single thing, or achievement. How would you expand our thinking on what it means to follow or find your destiny?
People often think of destiny as one single achievement or a specific endpoint, but I believe it’s much broader than that. Each of us comes into this world with a purpose—something our soul needs to discover and evolve. I think there are different themes in everyone’s life. For some, it might be about helping humanity in some way and making their life about service. For others, it might involve working out karmic relationships with certain people, and for others still, it might be about learning how to be independent and enjoying their own solitude.
Essentially, it’s different for everyone. Each person has their unique reason for being here on Earth, and our paths are shaped by the experiences we have, the people we meet, and the challenges we face. I believe these events and the people we encounter are part of our destiny. They are destined to happen to help our soul do what it came here to do on Earth.
In our current turbulent political reality and cultural upheaval we are experiencing, what tools does ‘Confused Girl’ offer for women looking to find sanity and stability amidst it all?
I really love this question because I think now more than ever, the universe is encouraging us all toward self-reflection and inward exploration. This period of turbulence may also explain why many of us feel more isolated from each other. However, I believe that eventually, we will return to a sense of community and togetherness.
In the meantime, it’s essential for individuals to turn inward, connect with themselves, and truly reflect on their existence. Understanding that we are souls having a human experience is crucial. Once you grasp that concept and build a strong relationship with yourself, you’ll be better equipped to form meaningful connections with others.
When you have that solid foundation, you can engage positively in the world and contribute to it in meaningful ways. Instead of getting caught up in negativity or asking yourself, “How did I get here?” your life will align more closely with who you truly are.
If you could go back in time and offer young Giovanna, the ‘Confused Girl’, some advice or guidance (which readers can also take on board!), what would it be?
If I could go back in time and offer my younger self some advice, I would start with a heartfelt thank you. I would say, “Thank you so much. You’re incredibly strong.” I know she was struggling and in a lot of pain, so I’d want her to feel that love and support.
I would encourage my younger self not to worry so much and to trust the timing of her life. “Life has a way of working itself out, and those challenges will ultimately contribute to your growth and strength. Focus on your path, trust your instincts and let things unfold because life is going to get really magical. You are going to love it, I promise.”
Order your copy of ‘Confused Girl’ HERE, and follow Giovanna Silvestre on Instagram.
