This little list of books is very close to my heart. Some of these books have lifted my spirit while I was going through dark times; while others have encouraged me to be tremendously brave and step outside of my comfort zone. I'm sharing them with you in the hope they may pass on comfort and inspiration to those that need it:
Notes on a Nervous Planet
by Matt Haig
In this gem of a book, Matt Haig examines the way today's society contributes towards panic disorder, anxiety and depression. He explores the way the external world impacts his mental health in both positive and negative ways.
I loved this book as it made me analyse the way I interact with social media and the news, and be more selective with what I feed my mind on the daily.
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret
to a Long and Happy Life
by Héctor García, Francesc Miralles
My daughter gifted me this book at one of the low points in my life. It explores the Japanese concept of ikigai - having a reason for living. Having a strong sense of ikigai—the place where passion, mission, vocation, and profession intersect—means that each day is infused with meaning. This book examines people who have found their real purpose in life, and provides tools to help you to discover your own ikigai.
The Good Girl's Guide to Being a D*ck
by Alexandra Reinwarth
This cheeky book will teach you how to embrace your inner jerk, guiding you through who and what to get rid of from your life, stop worrying about what others think, and how the seemingly small things in life can have a huge impact on the quality of your everyday living.
You'll learn how to embrace your own needs and desires to live the life you've always wanted. If you have trouble saying no to others, this book is for you.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
by Elizabeth Gilbert
As a creative person, I am regularly filled with self-doubt. This has been an absolute booster for me, on so many occasions. Whenever I begin to hear the voices of fear coming in, I read a chapter or two of this book and it gives me the strength to carry on with my creative pursuits. This books shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down our fears. It discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives.
The Magic
by Rhonda Byrne
If you believe in the Law of Attraction, but struggle to keep up with the practices, this book is for you. This is like a 28-day crash course in living the principles of 'The Secret' - and it's amazing! You are given a new task each day, and are taught how to apply the knowledge into your everyday life. It serves as a fantastic reminder to keep practicing gratitude, which is so important to leading a happy and contented life.
First, We Make the Beast Beautiful:
A New Journey Through Anxiety
by Sarah Wilson
This is another book that I was lucky enough to be gifted. It is very special to me, and one of the first books that I read about anxiety which didn't make it out to be an entirely negative thing. This book examines ways to alleviate anxiety, including gratitude, healthy eating, meditation, breathing and making your bed! I took many methods from this book and incorporated them into my daily life.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
by Mark Manson
This book does not sugarcoat anything! It encourages us not only to turn lemons into lemonade, but to learn how to stomach lemons better. It teaches you how to embrace your fears, faults and uncertainties, and stop running away from painful truth so that you can live a life of courage, perseverance, honesty and responsibility.
Reasons to Stay Alive
by Matt Haig
I adore this book, and related to it so much. Like nearly one in five people, the author suffers from depression. In this book he tells the story of how he overcame it, with the help of reading, writing and support from his loved ones. Everyone’s lives are touched by mental illness: if we do not suffer from it ourselves, then we have a friend or loved one who does. I love that he gives such an open and honest account of his suffering, yet still reminds us there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Brave, Not Perfect:
Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder
by Reshma Saujani
Imagine if you lived without the fear of not being good enough. If you didn't care how your life looked on Instagram, or worry about what total strangers thought of you. If you could let go of the guilt, and stop beating yourself up for tiny mistakes. What if, in every decision you faced, you took the bolder path? This book shares powerful insights and practices to help let go of the need for perfection and make bravery a lifelong habit.
Disclosure: Please note that the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. However, I would never recommend anything I don’t personally love, and these are my absolute favourite self-help books!
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