Books are the most powerful way to gain extensive knowledge that can beneficially impact your life. It is also an affordable way to gain deeper understanding on a topic; you can head down to your local library and check out a book for free.
Reading has contributed immensely to my current mindset and life. I’m fortunate enough to read, learn, and apply the wisdom, teachings, research, experiences, lessons, and insights by people who have organized their thoughts for us to better understand in a book.
My favorite books are on self-help because this topic stretches my mind to better understand myself and make me think, gearing toward growth.
Here are five picks that hold a special place in my heart for my personal growth journey.
The Untethered Soul by Michael Salinger
The takeaway: Through all the distractions in life, the journey towards an honest look of the inward self is liberating. As you become more aware of the restrictive way the inner roommate (aka the voice inside your head) reacts, you are able to move with and past it towards clearer self-realization.
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön
The takeaway: There will be tough, uncomfortable, and painful triggering moments in life. It isn’t about avoiding them but how to approach them with courage, lightness, and compassion to create the space for yourself and to others as well.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
The takeaway: Through scientific studies, our habits have been proven as to why they exist, how they work, and how they can be changed. It boils down to The Habit Loop (cue -> routine -> reward and back to cue). The way you are can be understood through your triggers and your reactions that are caused by them.
White Hot Truth by Danielle LaPorte
The takeaway: All ideas, programs, substances, practices, and retreats that you do or go through, no matter the length of time or amount of money you put in, things won’t change unless the work is done yourself. Find your truth by asking why, not how.
Gut by Guilia Enders
The takeaway: Although this may not come off as a personal growth book, it discusses in detail about how and why our emotions are directly linked to microbes (aka psychobiotics) that exist in our gut. What we put in our body has a direct correlation to how it can make us feel. Basically, you are what you eat holds a heavy truth.
So why do I keep coming back to these books?
Because the authors keep it simple and approachable.
There isn’t anything mystical or difficult-to-explain concepts in these books. It feels authentic and not authoritative. And every time I need a reminder, find some clarity, or want another perspective, these books take me back as to why I started on this journey in the first place: to continue to expand on my personal growth.
I hope you find these books as helpful and enjoyable as they were to me. Share them with friends, family, lovers, coworkers, by-passers, anyone. What are some of your favorite personal growth books? Please share your book recs in the comment section below, I’d love to read them!
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