10 books to create change
This is a list of some of my favorite books. They range on topics from creativity, money, the law of attraction, short stories, and self-help. Some of these may feel “woo-woo” or way out there and my advice is simply to pick up what information and tips feel good and leave what doesn’t fit. There is not harm in learning, growing, and absorbing.
The Untethered Soul – By Michael
A. Singer
Dig deep into your emotions, your ego and see why you think the way you do, and how to regain control of your mind and find freedom from your own created limitations. This book is a great reminder that we are in control, whether we know it or not, and that our energy is REAL and to allow it to flow in it’s natural state.
Favorite Quotes:
“In order to grow you must give up the struggle to remain the same, and learn to embrace change at all times.”
“Do not let anything that happens in life be important enough that you’re willing to close your heart over it.”
“How would you feel if someone outside really started talking to you the way your inner voice does? How would you relate to a person who opened their mouth to say everything your mental voice says? After a very short period of time, you would tell them to leave and never come back. But when your inner friend continuously speaks up, you don’t ever tell it to leave. No matter how much trouble it causes, you listen.”
The Happiness Project – By Gretchen Rubin
This book may not feel as "earth shattering" as other inspiring/self-growth books, but it has many profound truths in it and it is a great nudge in the direction of finding happiness where you may feel there is none, and in devoting energy towards positivity and uplifting yourself.
Favorite Quotes:
“One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy. One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself.”
“What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.”
“It's about living in the moment and appreciating the smallest things. Surrounding yourself with the things that inspire you and letting go of the obsessions that want to take over your mind. It is a daily struggle sometimes and hard work but happiness begins with your own attitude and how you look at the world.”
Daring Greatly – By Brene Brown
Brene Brown has so many amazing books, and I recommend any and all of them, but Darling Greatly is definitely a favorite of mine. She discusses the importance of vulnerability and of putting ourselves out there in all areas of life. While being open can cause hurt or judgement, it is more freeing to be real and vulnerable than to shut ourselves off.
Favorite Quotes:
“Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.”
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”
“Vulnerability is not weakness, and the uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure we face every day are not optional. Our only choice is a question of engagement. Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our purpose; the level to which we protect ourselves from being vulnerable is a measure of our fear and disconnection.”
You Are A Badass At Making Money –
By Jen Sincero
Another amazing Jen Sincero book. This is written in similar style to You Are a Badass but focuses on money, obviously. She uses personal experiences of being broke, not asking for more, and accepting less than we deserve, to push readers past their fears and find what is holding readers back.
Favorite Quotes:
“What you focus on you create more of.”
“Time wasted rationalizing the mediocre could be time spent creating the magnificent.”
“Money always comes to you through other people, but it comes from Universal Intelligence, as do all things. Which is why focusing on the frequency of your thoughts, not the people you hope to make money from, is the key to getting rich.”
“Believe that you are worthy of financial freedom. Do something you love and then all you ever have to do is be yourself to succeed. If you sell something you love, then you just sell love, not a specific product or service, and that will show.”
The Secret – By Rhonda Byrne
This was one of the books that sort of introduced me to the metaphysical world in a non-religious way. I absolutely love this easy read. It speaks to the law of attraction - like attracts like. This is also on Netflix and can be watched a documentary for those of you who aren't the biggest readers.
Favorite Quotes:
“Be grateful for what you have now. As you begin to think about all the things in your life you are grateful for, you will be amazed at the never ending thoughts that come back to you of more things to be grateful for. You have to make a start, and then the law of attraction will receive those grateful thoughts and give you more just like them.”
“A lot of people feel like they’re victims in life, and they’ll often point to past events, perhaps growing up with an abusive parent or in a dysfunctional family. Most psychologists believe that about 85 percent of families are dysfunctional, so all of a sudden you’re not so unique. My parents were alcoholics. My dad abused me. My mother divorced him when I was six…I mean, that’s almost everybody’s story in some form or not. The real question is, what are you going to do now? What do you choose now? Because you can either keep focusing on that, or you can focus on what you want. And when people start focusing on what they want, what they don’t want falls away, and what they want expands, and the other part disappears."
“It is impossible to bring more into your life if you are feeling ungrateful about what you have. Why? Because the thoughts and feelings you emit as you feel ungrateful are all negative emotions. ”
The Alchemist – By Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist is a short and SUPER easy read. It that tells the story of a sheepherder in search of worldly treasure. While on his journey, he finds so much more than physical treasure and learns about life, love, happiness, and the importance of the journey. This is a great narrative that reminds us to listen to our hearts, our intuition, and to follow our dreams.
If you are looking for a inspiring book in the form of story-telling, then this is perfect for you. While some books on spirituality and self-growth/self-help can be confusing and “WOO WOO”, this one is not.
Favorite Quotes:
“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”
“Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”
Girl, Wash Your Face – By Rachel Hollis
Rachel Hollis is real, inspiring, funny, direct, and preaches some TRUTH that more women need to hear. She almost takes on the role of a life coach- encouraging the reader, questioning how things are, and being firm in her statements. She also breaks down barriers and discusses embarrassing and hard moments that we all face.
I loved this book and really connected with what she had to share.
Favorite Quotes:
“Your dream is worth fighting for, and while you’re not in control of what life throws at you, you are in control of the fight.”
“I cannot continue to live as half of myself simply because it’s hard for others to handle all of me.”
“What if the hard stuff, the amazing stuff, the love, the joy, the hope, the fear, the weird stuff, the funny stuff, the stuff that takes you so low you’re lying on the floor crying and thinking, How did I get here? . . . What if none of it is happening to you? What if all of it is happening for you?”
“know this one great truth: you are in control of your own life. You get one and only one chance to live, and life is passing you by. Stop beating yourself up, and dang it, stop letting others do it too. Stop accepting less than you deserve. Stop buying things you can’t afford to impress people you don’t even really like. Stop eating your feelings instead of working through them. Stop buying your kids’ love with food, or toys, or friendship because it’s easier than parenting. Stop abusing your body and your mind. Stop! Just get off the never-ending track.”
Big Magic – By Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth breaks down her process on creativity and if you are feeling drained, lacking, or uninspired then this book will light you up. Big Magic breaks down fear, the creative lifestyle, and how to create without stress.
Favorite Quotes:
“Be the weirdo who dares to enjoy.”
“Recognizing that people's reactions don't belong to you is the only sane way to create. If people enjoy what you've created, terrific. If people ignore what you've created, too bad. If people misunderstand what you've created, don't sweat it. And what if people absolutely hate what you've created? What if people attack you with savage vitriol, and insult your intelligence, and malign your motives, and drag your good name through the mud? Just smile sweetly and suggest - as politely as you possibly can - that they go make their own fucking art. Then stubbornly continue making yours.”
“So this, I believe, is the central question upon which all creative living hinges: Do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you?”
You Are A Badass – By Jen Sincero
Hands down one of my favorite books. I will re-read this over and over again. Jen speaks in a "how-to" way, on how to change your beliefs, behaviors, how to create a life you love, how to love what you can't change, and how to come fully into the person you are meant to be.
Favorite Quotes:
“You are perfect. To think anything less is as pointless as a river thinking that it’s got too many curves or that it moves too slowly or that its rapids are too rapid. Says who? You’re on a journey with no defined beginning, middle or end. There are no wrong twists and turns. There is just being. And your job is to be as you as you can be. This is why you’re here. To shy away from who you truly are would leave the world you-less. You are the only you there is and ever will be. I repeat, you are the only you there is and ever will be. Do not deny the world its one and only chance to bask in your brilliance.”
“What other people think about you has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them.”
“It never ceases to amaze me the precious time we spend chasing the squirrels around our brains, playing out our dramas, worrying about unwanted facial hair, seeking adoration, justifying our actions, complaining about slow Internet connections, dissecting the lives of idiots, when we are sitting in the middle of a full-blown miracle that is happening right here, right now.
We're on a planet that somehow knows how to rotate on its axis and follow a defined path while it hurtles through space! Our hearts beat! We can see! We have love, laughter, language, living rooms, computers, compassion, cars, fire, fingernails, flowers, music, medicine, mountains, muffins!”
“Never apologize for who you are. It lets the whole world down.”
Unfuck Yourself – By Gary John Bishop
If you are the type of person who hates bumper sticker phrases, who isn't really into positive affirmations or believing that just your thoughts change your life, and you kind of want to be yelled at or offended in a productive and inspiring way, then check this book out. I really loved this book as it took a totally different approach to changing your life and to self-growth. Gary really gets into affirmations with a new perspective and has an action driven thought process to change.
Favorite Quotes:
“you must first accept that while there are things that have happened in your life that you had no say in, you are 100 percent responsible for what you do with your life in the aftermath of those events. Always, every time, no excuses.”
“If you took the time to be with what I’m saying, you’d realize that what causes most of your worry is trying to predict the future and then refusing to accept things when they don’t or aren’t going to go your way.”
“You change your life by doing, not by thinking about doing.”
“Life won’t stop for your pauses and procrastinations. It won’t stop for your confusion or fear. It will continue right along without you. Whether you play an active part or not, the show will go on.”
