You probably know Gillian Anderson as the steely Dana Scully or the powerhouse Margaret Thatcher in The Crown. But back in 2017, she took off the costume and co-authored something surprisingly raw with her friend Jennifer Nadel. It wasn't a tell-all memoir or a Hollywood gossip rag. It was Gillian Anderson WE: A Manifesto, and honestly, it remains one of the most misunderstood "celebrity" books out there.
People expected a political pamphlet. Instead, they got a spiritual toolkit.
The book is officially titled WE: A Manifesto for Women Everywhere. It’s a strange, beautiful hybrid—half social theory and half intense self-help manual. It starts from a dark place, asking why so many women are stuck in cycles of depression, self-harm, and that nagging sense of "is this it?" even when they seem to have everything.
Anderson and Nadel aren't talking down from a pedestal. They're basically in the trenches with you, sharing their own struggles with self-esteem and the crushing weight of the "Superwoman" myth.
What Most People Get Wrong About WE
A lot of readers picked this up expecting a radical feminist call to arms. They wanted a political strategy. What they found instead was a focus on internal transformation.
Some critics found it a bit "woo-woo" because of the spiritual emphasis. Others felt it came from a place of privilege. And look, it’s true that both authors are successful, high-profile women. But the core of the manifesto isn't about having money; it’s about the "Toxic Cs" that rot our mental health regardless of our bank balance.
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The Toxic Cs: What’s Actually Killing Your Joy
Anderson and Nadel identify five specific habits of the ego that keep us miserable:
- Comparing: Looking at someone else's highlight reel and feeling like a failure.
- Criticizing: That inner voice that never shuts up about your flaws.
- Complaining: Focusing on the gap between reality and expectation.
- Controlling: Trying to force outcomes instead of trusting the process.
- Competing: Viewing other women as threats rather than sisters.
Breaking these habits is the "manifesto" part. It’s a declaration of independence from a culture that profits off your insecurity.
The 9 Principles of Gillian Anderson WE: A Manifesto
The meat of the book is built on nine universal principles. These aren't new—they've been around since the "sages and saints" days—but they're packaged as a practical journey.
The authors suggest you don't just read the book; you do it. They recommend keeping a notebook and working through the principles one by one. It’s a slow process. Honestly, if you try to rush it, you’ll miss the point.
1. Honesty
This is the foundation. It’s about being real with yourself first. Nadel often talks about how we "fake it" in public while crumbling inside. Honesty means dropping the mask.
2. Acceptance
Not "giving up," but rather acknowledging exactly where you are right now. You can't change a situation until you stop fighting the reality of it.
3. Courage
The courage to be vulnerable. Anderson has spoken about how scary it was to speak up for equal pay on The X-Files. This principle is about acting despite the fear, not the absence of it.
4. Trust
This is where the "spiritual but not religious" vibe kicks in. It’s about trusting that there’s a larger flow to life. If you’re a control freak, this chapter is usually the hardest.
5. Humility
Not being a doormat, but recognizing that we aren't the center of the universe. It’s the shift from "me" to "WE."
6. Peace
Finding a quiet center in a loud world. The authors emphasize meditation as a non-negotiable tool here.
7. Love
Starting with self-love. It sounds cliché, but as the book points out, you can't give what you don't have.
8. Joy
Actively seeking and scheduling fun. It’s about reclaiming your right to be happy without needing a "reason."
9. Kindness
The final step. Once you’ve done the internal work, it naturally spills over into how you treat the world.
The 4 Daily Practices You Can Start Today
If the nine principles feel like a lot, the book narrows it down to four daily habits. These are the "maintenance" tasks for your soul.
- Gratitude: Write down what you’re thankful for. Every. Single. Day.
- Gentleness: Talk to yourself like you’d talk to a best friend.
- Responsibility: Owning your reactions. You can’t control what happens, but you can control how you respond.
- Meditation: Even five minutes. Just sit.
Is This Book Still Relevant in 2026?
Actually, it’s probably more relevant now than when it was published in 2017. We’re more "connected" than ever, yet the loneliness epidemic is real. Social media has turned the "Toxic Cs" into an Olympic sport.
The manifesto argues that the answer isn't "more"—more money, more followers, more achievements. The answer is a radical shift toward collaboration and compassion.
Some people find the language a bit repetitive, and if you aren't into the idea of a "Higher Power" (whatever that looks like for you), parts of it might feel alienating. But if you can look past the occasionally "privileged" tone, the psychological tools are surprisingly solid.
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Actionable Next Steps
If you want to actually apply the Gillian Anderson WE: A Manifesto philosophy without just reading another book that sits on your shelf, try this:
- Identify Your Main "Toxic C": For the next 24 hours, just notice when you are Comparing, Criticizing, Complaining, Controlling, or Competing. Don't judge yourself; just observe.
- The 5-Minute Morning Audit: Before you check your phone, name three things you’re grateful for and one way you’ll be gentle with yourself today.
- Start a "WE" Group: The authors highly recommend reading and discussing these principles with other women. Transformation happens faster in a community.
- Practice Radical Honesty: The next time someone asks "How are you?" and you're actually struggling, try telling a sliver of the truth instead of the standard "I'm fine."
The whole point of the manifesto is that we’re all "stumbling along together." It's not about being perfect. It's about being a little bit more "WE" and a little bit less "me."