5 Self-Help and Personal Growth Books that Deserve Permanent Residence on Your Bedside Table

4/13/2022

Are you interested in starting your mornings with self-help and personal growth books? Here are five that I’ve personally read and found to be worth recommending!

Start your day with a book and I promise you won’t regret it.
Reading gently wakes up your brain and sets you on the right track for the day. A thought-provoking article or positive self-help book can set the mood for the morning and get you in a positive mindset. Rather than bombarding your brain with depressing news headlines, try an intriguing article or blog post that will get you to think, motivate you, or even inspire you. And it’s a calm, relaxing activity that doesn’t involve your phone.

If you’re just getting into self-care or if you are interested in adding a few non-fiction books to your repertoire, the options can be somewhat overwhelming. It seems there’s a new book, with a snarky title, or a celebrity on the cover every other day. And I’ve tried a LOT of them. Here are five that I’ve personally discovered in the past five years that I believe are worth the hype.

1.) Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear

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“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”

This book is a well-known resource for students, working adults, busy parents, and anyone else who needs a little balance in their life that deserves every ounce of recognition it has already gained and more.

This book makes my top five, and by that I mean, it’s one of my top five favorite books that I’ve EVER read. This book breaks down the importance of forming good habits, how to get started forming positive habits, and how just one small change can alter your life completely.

James Clear touches on some seemingly obvious concepts, but he presents them in a unique way that will inspire you and motivate you to make changes right away. Not only does he offer brilliant tips, but they are tricks that will last. The point of forming these small habits is that over time they can add up to something big. By slowly integrating these habits into your life, you can set yourself up for success without making huge drastic changes and praying you can make them stick.

2.) Manage Your Day-To-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind, by Jocelyn K. Glei

“Like it or not, we are constantly forced to juggle tasks and battle unwanted distractions—to truly set ourselves apart, we must learn to be creative amidst chaos.”

This book is for anyone who feels the pull of creativity but doesn’t feel like they have enough time to actually be creative. The information is expertly executed in short digestible nuggets of advice, which is perfect if your attention span is less than resilient these days. This book is an easy addition to your morning or bedtime routine if you're short on time.

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3.) 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works--A True Story, by Dan Harris

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“But it was in this moment, lying in bed late at night, that I first realized that the voice in my head—the running commentary that had dominated my field of consciousness since I could remember—was kind of an asshole.”

This is the book that sold me on mindfulness and meditation. I am by no means an expert on either, but before reading this I thought it sounded like a bunch of mambo jumbo that just wasn’t for me. Dan Harris is relatable and honest about his own journey and made me realize that any amount of meditation and mindfulness is worth it.

4.) Get Your Sht Together: How to Stop Worrying About What You Should Do So You Can Finish What You Need to Do and Start Doing What You Want to Do (A No Fcks Given Guide), by Sarah Knight

“Getting it together for the big stuff is just getting it together for the small stuff over time”

Don’t let the sarcastic title sway you. There are a lot of really helpful and meaningful tips here. Not everything that Sarah Knight writes will be earth-shattering. But it’s written in a clear voice and will make you think. For example, she makes the argument about multitasking. The thing about multitasking is that it’s not actually possible, and sometimes I need a reminder about that.

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5.) Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies about Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis

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“Nothing that lasts is accomplished quickly. Nobody’s entire legacy is based on a single moment, but rather the collection of one’s experiences. If you’re lucky, your legacy will be a lifetime in the making.”

What to know: There’s a religious element, but Rachel Hollis does a pretty good job of acknowledging that some readers aren’t looking for that side of things. There’s definitely some strong girl power energy here. Her anecdotes lean toward a little too mushy for me, but she has some good reminders for women.