I’ve read my fair share of self-help books! I tend to go back to the ones I love again and again for advice or positive words.
Need a little pick me up? Self Help. Feeling lost? Self Help. Trying to make a hard decision? Self Help. Creative or writer’s block? Self Help!!
So without further ado, here are my favorite self help books for you!
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The Best Self-Help Books for Everyone

Daring Greatly, By Brene Brown
Let me tell you, I haven’t read all of Brene’s books yet, but I sure plan to! Her work is so thought provoking and essential in our times. Who knew shame could be at the root of unhappiness and feelings of security? The fact that everything she writes is proven by decades of her own research makes it that much better.
She has this book broken down into four parts according to the title: living, loving, parenting, and leading. You do not need to be a parent or leader to get something out this book. It has so much information, you might want to even buy a copy to highlight and make some notes. I plan to.
Brene inspires me to be my best self (I guess that’s why they call it a self helpbook?). If you want a quick snippet of what she talks about before diving into a whole book, check out her Ted Talks.

Big Magic, By Elizabeth Gilbert
I, lover of Eat Pray Love (can that be counted as self help too??), did not actually come across this book on my own. My husband read it first! It’s a well-written, inspiring book for creatives and just really for everyone. It’s almost written like a series of essays since each chapter talks about something different, but they blend together seamlessly. It’s short too! I actually listened to the audiobook in the car. I plan on buying it and reading it again.
There’s this one anecdote she tells that has really stuck with me about ideas and inspiration. They kind of just float about the universe until someone decides to accept that idea and run with it. So if you let an idea pass you by, someone else will have the chance to follow it through. Gilbert obviously writes about it a lot more eloquently than I can (I’m a reader, not a writer), so you must read the book if you want to find out more!

Good Morning, I Love You, By Shauna Shapiro
This book came to me at a time when I really needed it and it has been in my life every since. Shapiro’s lessons helped me tremendously to gain a calmer, more grateful mindset. I loved it so much, I bought a copy (most books I read are library books) and annotated the heck out of it. I’ve already gone back to this book more than once to keep the lessons she teaches ingrained in my mind, because they will truly help you lead a happier life.
One of the most important lessons (but all are definitely important!!) is that what you do creates a pathway in the brain. The more you do it, the stronger that pathway becomes, and the less you do it, the weaker the path becomes. So if you constantly talk down to yourself, that pathway will be stronger than the self compassion part of your brain. Good Morning, I Love You is a life changing book that talks about the importance of self compassion, gratitude and mindfulness in order to live a more fulfilling life. I think every person on earth should read this.

This is Me, by Chrissy Metz
This is a memoir, but I would consider it self help and honestly a just really great read. Yes it’s Kate Pearson from This is Us. No, I haven’t watched the show! When I was seeing a therapist, she actually recommended I read this, so i listened to the audiobook in the car (which Metz narrates!). I loved her narrating her own story. She’s funny, passionate and down to earth.
Like Good Morning, I Love You, Metz also talks about the importance of self compassion, gratefulness, and kindness. At the end of each chapter she includes little exercises you can do having to do with mindfulness and gratitude. Each chapter of her life taught a lesson. Her story was a balm to my soul. Not all of her life was a walk in the park, but she came out stronger because of it and Metz truly inspired me. Read this if you’re looking for some inspiration to make a big change in your life.

Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert
Another memoir and probably a cliche to some people who are reading this, but I’m including it anyway because I love this book. Gilbert’s struggle to find her purpose in the world is one that every person goes through at some point in their life. She really knows how to get right into your heart and soul.
It’s a story everyone knows so I won’t elaborate, but if you want to be inspired to love deeply, find a spiritual purpose and travel more, this is the book for you. As a foodie, I also appreciated every second she was in Italy talking about all the food she ate there!
That’s all my self-help books for now. I will definitely be reading more in the future and I’ll post more lists as I find even more treasures!
More Reading Lists to come! Check out my books section if you want more recs.
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