Woman Who Run With The Wolves Quotes

Ever feel like you’re a bit… much? Like, your inner monologue is a whole Broadway musical, and the cast is a pack of wild, glitter-covered wolves? Yep, me too. And guess what? We might just be channeling our inner Clarissa Pinkola Estés. You know, the author of that book that feels like a warm hug from a wise, slightly unhinged aunt? The one with the title that’s a mouthful but gets your soul doing a happy dance: Women Who Run With The Wolves.
Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. "Wolves? My dog already tries to eat the mail. I'm not ready for anything wilder." And that's fair. But hear me out. This isn't about actually howling at the moon (unless you really want to, no judgment here). It's about digging into some seriously good quotes from that book that just make you nod your head so hard you might get whiplash. They’re like little nuggets of truth that are both empowering and, let's be honest, a little bit sassy. And who doesn't love a little sass?
There's this one quote that always gets me. It’s something along the lines of: "The greatest thing you can do for yourself is to remember how to use your own mind." Okay, so maybe it's not word-for-word like that, but the feeling is there. It’s like Estés is saying, "Hey, you! Yes, you with the half-eaten bag of chips and the to-do list longer than your arm. You've got a brain! Use it!" And it’s so simple, but it’s so important. We spend so much time listening to everyone else, to the news, to social media, to our nagging inner critic. But what about listening to that quiet, intuitive voice inside? The one that knows when something feels right, or when it's time to just grab a comfy blanket and eat more chips. That's the wild mind talking!
Then there’s the whole idea of instinct. You know that feeling? Like when you walk into a room and just know something’s off, even if you can’t pinpoint it? That's the wolf within, sniffing the air. Estés talks about listening to your instincts like they are sacred gifts. And she’s so right! How many times have we ignored that little gut feeling, only to end up regretting it later? It’s like having a tiny, highly intelligent wolf whispering in your ear, and we’re just over here, scrolling through TikTok, pretending we didn’t hear anything. Oops.
I particularly love the idea that to be wild is to be whole. It’s not about being reckless or irresponsible. It’s about embracing all parts of ourselves – the passionate, the creative, the fierce, the vulnerable. It's about not stuffing down the parts of us that don't fit neatly into a little box. Because let's be real, most of us are not neat little boxes. We're more like a magnificent, slightly chaotic explosion of glitter and ideas. And that's okay! In fact, it's more than okay; it's powerful.

And the wolf herself? She’s not just some scary creature. She’s a symbol of freedom, of intuition, of resilience. She’s the part of us that knows how to survive, how to thrive, how to protect what she loves. She’s the part that doesn't back down easily. You ever see a mom protecting her kids? That's the wolf in action, my friends. Pure, unadulterated fierceness.
One of my favorite themes from Women Who Run With The Wolves is about finding our own stories. Estés talks about how women have their own ancient, wild stories, and it’s our job to uncover them. It’s like being a detective of your own soul. You're digging through the layers of expectations, of societal norms, of what everyone else tells you you should be, to find the real, true you. The one who probably has a secret stash of really good chocolate.

There are so many profound statements in the book that resonate deeply. One that always strikes a chord is the notion that "wild nature is the soul’s native language." It makes me think about how we often try to speak in a different language, a more "acceptable" one. We try to be polite, to be agreeable, to blend in. But our soul, that wild, untamed part of us, it’s speaking in a language of intuition, of deep knowing, of primal urges. And when we finally learn to listen to that language, everything starts to make more sense. It’s like finally understanding a secret code that unlocks your true self.
And let’s not forget the importance of creativity. Estés often links creativity with the wild woman. It's the outlet for all that pent-up energy, all those untamed feelings. It’s where the wolf gets to sing her song, whether it’s through painting, writing, dancing, or even just whipping up a killer batch of cookies. It's the expression of our inner wildness, and it’s essential for our well-being. So if you’ve been feeling a creative itch, listen to it! Your inner wolf is probably trying to tell you something.

Reading Women Who Run With The Wolves feels like a permission slip. A permission slip to be messy, to be passionate, to be intuitive, to be strong, and to be unapologetically ourselves. It’s a reminder that there’s a wild, wise creature living inside each of us, waiting to be acknowledged and to run free. And honestly, who wouldn't want to run with the wolves? Especially if they know where the best hiking trails are.
So next time you feel that urge to do something a little different, to trust that gut feeling, or to just let loose, remember the wolves. They’re not just in the forest; they’re in your soul. And they’ve got some pretty amazing wisdom to share, one powerful quote at a time. It’s a bit of an “unpopular opinion” perhaps, but I think we could all benefit from a little more wolf in our lives. Just saying.
