The Books that Shape Me
When I embarked on my personal development journey in 2017, I had no idea just how transformative it would become. I started with a focus on my physical health and fitness, but that initial step led me down a path of continuous growth and self-discovery which I am still on today. If you're looking to dive into personal development or are searching for new resources to fuel your journey in life, parenting, health- whatever!- here are the books and insights that have had the most profound impact on me.
The Catalyst: "Girl, Wash Your Face" by Rachel Hollis
- Description: Rachel Hollis challenges the lies we often tell ourselves in this deeply personal and motivational read. She candidly discusses her struggles with self-doubt, relationships, motherhood, and career aspirations, providing practical advice on how to overcome these barriers and live a life with purpose.
- Why It Changed My Life: This book was a wake-up call. Hollis's authenticity and vulnerability made me feel seen, and her message of taking responsibility for our lives resonated deeply. It empowered me to confront my self-limiting beliefs and inspired me to start taking actionable steps toward my goals. It was the book that officially launched my desire to continue learning more about myself and all that I could accomplish.
Further Inspiration: "Girl, Stop Apologizing" by Rachel Hollis
- Description: In this follow-up to Girl, Wash Your Face, Hollis urges women to stop defining themselves by the expectations of others and instead embrace their ambitions unapologetically. She offers a practical guide to pursuing dreams with confidence, sharing insights on developing habits that support goal achievement.
- Why It Helped Me: This book gave me the push I needed to stop seeking external validation and embrace my ambitions. Hollis's actionable steps, such as setting specific goals and building habits to support them, have been instrumental in helping me create momentum in my personal and professional life.
More Personal Development Must-Reads
"Mastering Your Mean Girl" by Melissa Ambrosini
Description: Ambrosini offers guidance on silencing the inner critic (your "mean girl") that holds you back from living your best life. She provides practical exercises and affirmations to cultivate self-love, confidence, and a more positive mindset.
Why It Resonated: I realized how often I allowed self-doubt to dictate my actions. This book provided the tools I needed to shift my mindset, embrace self-compassion, and start living more authentically.
“You Are a Badass" by Jen Sincero
Description: Jen Sincero's humorous and straightforward approach helps readers break through self-imposed limitations and manifest the life they want. She combines life lessons with practical tips on overcoming fear, finding your purpose, and creating abundance.
Why It Stuck With Me: Sincero’s witty style made the concept of self-improvement feel approachable. Her message about owning your worth and refusing to settle pushed me to pursue my goals unapologetically.
"It's Not Supposed to Be This Way" by Lysa TerKeurst
Description: TerKeurst addresses the pain of unmet expectations and life's disappointments, offering insights on how to find hope, strength, and purpose during difficult times. She shares her personal journey of heartbreak and healing.
Why It Spoke to Me: During challenging periods, especially after my first miscarriage, this book offered solace and guidance. It reminded me that setbacks are part of the journey and helped me navigate difficult times with faith and resilience.
"Becoming a Master Communicator" by Renée Marino
Description: This book explores the importance of effective communication in building relationships and achieving success. Marino provides actionable techniques for expressing oneself authentically and confidently.
How It Helped Me: As someone who values connection, this book was a game-changer. It taught me how to communicate more clearly, listen actively, and foster deeper connections in both my personal and professional life.
"Limitless" by Jim Kwik
Description: Kwik, a renowned brain coach, shares strategies for enhancing memory, learning, and productivity. He delves into the science of the brain and offers techniques for unlocking cognitive potential.
Why It Was Eye-Opening: Kwik's techniques for optimizing brain health and learning faster have been invaluable. They’ve helped me adopt a growth mindset and approach challenges with curiosity rather than fear.
"Essentialism" by Greg McKeown
Description: McKeown presents a philosophy centered on focusing only on what truly matters and eliminating distractions. He argues that by doing less but better, we can achieve more meaningful results.
Why It Changed My Perspective: This book taught me the power of saying "no" and helped me simplify my life. It inspired me to prioritize tasks that align with my goals and values, freeing up time and energy for what truly matters.
"Radiate: 90 Devotions to Reflect the Heart of Jesus” by Priscilla Shirer
Description: A daily devotional offering spiritual insights and reflections to help readers cultivate a deeper relationship with God.
How It Grounded Me: These devotions provided a daily reminder to stay centered, encouraging me to reflect on my values and live with purpose and intention.
"The Myth of Normal" by Gabor Maté
Description: Maté challenges societal norms about health, trauma, and healing, urging readers to question what we consider "normal" and how we can break free from limiting beliefs.
Why It Was Transformative: This book encouraged me to dig deeper into understanding how past experiences shape my behavior. It pushed me to focus on holistic healing and self-acceptance.
"The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron
Description: A 12-week program designed to unlock creativity, featuring exercises like "morning pages" and "artist dates" to help reconnect with one’s creative self.
Why I Loved It: This book reminded me of the joy of creating and encouraged me to embrace my creative side, even outside of my career.
"The Way of Integrity" by Martha Beck
Description: Beck guides readers on how to align their lives with their true values, emphasizing the importance of living with integrity and authenticity.
Why It Made an Impact: It served as a reminder that when we live in alignment with our true selves, we experience more peace and fulfillment.
"Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most" by Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun, and Ryan McAnnally-Linz
Description: This book encourages readers to reflect on life’s big questions, helping them identify what truly matters and how to lead a meaningful life.
Why It Spoke to Me: It encouraged me to reflect deeply on my priorities, reinforcing the idea that life is about more than achieving goals—it's about finding meaning and purpose.
"Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough" by Nancy Levin
Description: Levin helps readers confront limiting beliefs about self-worth and develop the confidence to create the life they deserve.
Why It Empowered Me: This book helped me challenge my inner critic and embrace the idea that I am inherently worthy, just as I am.
Parenting Books That Shaped My Approach
"Cribsheet" by Emily Oster
Description: Cribsheet is a data-driven guide to parenting, written by economist Emily Oster. It covers various topics like sleep training, feeding, potty training, and discipline, providing research-backed insights to help parents make informed decisions. Oster tackles the most debated parenting topics by examining the studies and data, allowing readers to make choices that work best for their families.
Why It Was Invaluable: As a new parent, I found myself overwhelmed by conflicting advice, and this book provided clarity. Oster’s fact-based approach gave me confidence in my parenting decisions and helped me feel more empowered, reminding me that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to raising children.
"Bringing Up Bébé" by Pamela Druckerman
Description: In Bringing Up Bébé, Pamela Druckerman, an American journalist living in Paris, explores the differences between French and American parenting styles. Through her experiences and observations, she reveals how French parents raise well-behaved, independent children while maintaining balance and avoiding the pressures of modern parenting.
Why It Resonated with Me: This book introduced me to the concept of a more laid-back parenting style, which was refreshing. The emphasis on patience, encouraging independence, and setting clear boundaries resonated deeply, and I've tried to incorporate these principles into my parenting approach.
"The Danish Way of Parenting" by Jessica Joelle Alexander and Iben Dissing Sandahl
Description: This book explores the Danish approach to raising happy, confident children, rooted in a philosophy of empathy, authenticity, and emotional resilience. The authors highlight the importance of play, togetherness, and creating a secure environment where children feel valued and understood.
Why It Made an Impact: I was inspired by the Danish emphasis on happiness, empathy, and the idea that children thrive when given the space to be themselves. This book encouraged me to be more mindful and intentional in how I interact with my child, helping me nurture a positive, supportive environment.
Health and Wellness Reads That Changed the Game
"Super Woman Rx" by Dr. Taz Bhatia
Description: In Super Woman Rx, Dr. Taz Bhatia combines Western medicine with holistic approaches to offer personalized health advice for women. She outlines five distinct "Super Woman" types and provides tailored diet, exercise, and lifestyle recommendations for each one to help women achieve optimal health and energy.
Why It Was Game-Changing: This book helped me understand my unique health needs and inspired me to make changes that aligned with my body type. The customized approach allowed me to adopt habits that improved my energy levels, mood, and overall well-being.
"The Hormone Shift" by Dr. Tasneem Bhatia
Description: This book focuses on the critical role hormones play in a woman’s health, providing practical advice on how to balance hormones through diet, exercise, supplements, and lifestyle changes. Dr. Bhatia explains how hormonal shifts can impact every stage of life and offers guidance on how to manage them effectively.
Why It Was So Insightful: First of all- I freaking loved this book and every single woman out there needs to read it. Learning about the connection between hormones and health was a revelation. This book gave me the tools to address hormonal imbalances, which had a significant positive impact on my physical and mental health, helping me feel more in control and in tune with my body.
"Period Power" by Maisie Hill
Description: Maisie Hill’s Period Power is a comprehensive guide to understanding and harnessing the power of the menstrual cycle. Hill explains the different phases of the cycle and how they impact mood, energy, and productivity, providing actionable advice on how to sync life, work, and wellness routines with each phase.
Why It Changed My Perspective: This book taught me to work with my menstrual cycle instead of against it, transforming how I approach productivity, exercise, and self-care. It empowered me to honor my body’s natural rhythms, which has led to more balanced and manageable periods.
"Outlive" by Dr. Peter Attia
Description: In Outlive, Dr. Peter Attia offers a fresh perspective on longevity and how to optimize health for a longer, more fulfilling life. He covers various topics such as exercise, diet, sleep, stress management, and emotional health, blending scientific insights with practical advice.
Why It Was a Must-Read: This book expanded my understanding of long-term health and wellness. Attia’s comprehensive approach inspired me to make lifestyle changes that prioritize longevity, such as improving sleep quality, managing stress, and incorporating more strength training into my routine.
"Evolve Your Brain" by Dr. Joe Dispenza
Description: Dr. Joe Dispenza explores the connection between thoughts, emotions, and physical health in Evolve Your Brain. He explains how changing our thoughts can alter our brain chemistry, ultimately affecting our health and behavior. The book offers practical techniques for rewiring the brain to create a healthier and happier life.
Why It Was Transformative: You must start this book with an open mind, otherwise this will definitely not be for you. This book helped me understand the power of the mind-body connection and how our thoughts shape our reality. Learning that I could consciously change my thought patterns to improve my health and well-being was incredibly empowering and while I have plenty more practice to do, it is already having a drastic impact on my daily habits and overall health.
Final Thoughts
These books have been game-changers in my personal development journey, each one adding its own bit of wisdom along the way. I hope my adventure with these reads sparks some inspiration and helps you find the ones that vibe with you on your own path to growth. If you’re ready to start your journey or you’re in the middle of it and want to learn more, simply start with any one on this list and go from there. It’s important not to put pressure on yourself to read ALL of these at once- this is a list that has grown over the last ~7+ years. Your list may look different, but so are all our lives. And that, my friend, is the best part.
You’re Doing Great,
Samantha
