 Personal development is a huge part of my journey. I heard a life coach once call personal development content “Mind Food.” Let’s just say that trash TV, most news channels, false articles on Facebook are like McDonald’s for your brain. I try to balance it out with some nutritious, hearty, MIND FOOD. I feel better when I remind myself of positive ways to frame my thinking. Otherwise, I get lost in overthinking, ruminating, hypervigilance and other unhealthy thinking patterns. This is an incomplete list of my favorite personal development books that I have read in the last two years. I think it is worth noting that a lot of my selections feed into specific topics like womanhood, finances, and mental health. I read what I read for the purpose of expanding my knowledge on how to operate in specific areas of my life. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle This book is the grand-daddy of all self help books for me. If some asked me to recommend ONE book that profoundly changed my life, I would send them this book. I was given this book by a trusted guardian during one of the most challenging times in my life. Learning the principles of thought and emotional intelligence in this book shaped who I am right now, almost 10 years later. I’ve read it on three separate occasions and I feel I am due for another soon! The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle Tolle is a brilliant man. This book came to me second after reading A New Earth but he technically wrote this book first. This book discusses in simpler terms the same principles discussed in A New Earth. If you are looking to dip your toes lightly, I suggest starting here. A Happy Pocket Full of Money by David Gikandi This book changed the way I think about money. Growing up in a home where money was tight, I needed to relearn my approach to money. Reading Gikandi lead me to several “aha!” moments that were long overdue. You are a Badass by Jen Sincero Sincero is a firecracker of a writer and she makes hard to handle topics feel easy. I think she is great for those who aren’t totally “woo woo” but also aren’t totally pessimists. She is a great in between and she covers many thought principles that can profoundly impact your life in a positive way. You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero When I really love a book, I usually seek out the author’s other work. Sincero is incredible at making me feel like self help is fun (and funny!) so I recommend her book on financial attitude as well. Pussy: A Reclamation by Regena Thomashauer This one is for my ladies. This book should be required reading for all women. It will no doubt scare the living daylights out of you at first, but its worth it. Thomashauer, also affectionately known as “Mama Gena,” gives insight to the feminine nature and gives effective applicable advice on how to live more fully in your truest nature. Conscious Loving by Gay Hendricks and Kathlyn Hendricks Conscious Loving: A Journey to Co-commitment; How to be fully together without giving up yourself changed the way I look at love and relationships. I remember giving this to someone and they called me and said “They should teach this sh*t in schools!” If you are in a relationship or even if you are single and hoping to one day be in a relationship, this book will teach you some really important lessons in how to be in relationships. Let me know in the comments what your favorite self-help books are! XOXO, Katie |