5 Books to Read in 2020 That Will Change Your Self Care Game Forever
When your life’s passion is writing about a particular topic, you tend to want to know the best books out there. What has come before, what is current and if some of those books were even worth the hype.
Then, there are the books that change your life. That make you ask the deep questions. That challenge you to actually make a change or do something different.
The following five are books that I’ve read and returned to time and time again. They have changed my life and it’s possible that if you allow them to, they will change yours as well.
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
What makes you happy? Not in the short term, such as delayed gratification. What tweaks that if enacted on, would make you happier than you are now, for the long term?
Rubin writes about this year long challenge from the standpoint not of unhappiness but from the standpoint of being more present. To build a reserve against any catastrophe that might occur in the future.
Where ever we are on the happiness spectrum, we can definitely make good use of a long term challenge like this. The idea is to break down the year into months. Each month has a theme and mini-resolutions.
Everyone’s year of building happiness will be different. However, knowing that personal happiness leads to being more supportive of others, more generous, more loving and enjoying life more, isn’t it worth the year long challenge to make it happen?
2. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
This book has revolutionized the way that I create as a writer, as a woman and as a creative.
Gilbert inspires creatives to bring forth the treasures inside them while also allowing the muse to come to you. She encourages faithfulness to the craft and writing what brings a rebellion from inside you.
This was a book I originally questioned the hype of back in 2017. I’m glad to say that it delivers massively.
This book has transformed my writing, given me permission to mix a little self care into the mix instead of constantly writing with an others mindset. I write my stories and experiences in a way that can benefit others.
It has also reminded me that writing is art and art heals in a way that very few things have the ability to do.
3. Women Who Run with Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
This book preceded the self care movement. It was, in my opinion, a forerunner.
Estes writes in an engaging way about themes like: the life and death cycle in life, trusting one’s intuition, not overlooking the small things that will ultimately derail us. Her premise is that a woman who lives for the soul is like a female wolf. Creative, inventive, passionate, loyal and a strong life force. Plus the stories in this book are awe-inspiring and create plenty of teachable moments on their own.
This book is meant for the women who are ready to break free from societal expectations, man made molds and truly live from the soul.
4. 29 Gifts by Cami Walker
In the past year, I’ve learned that giving to others makes us happier. It’s sending out into the universe positivity that will be reflected back to us.
Walker writes this engaging memoir as her journey through giving an intentional gift every day for 29 days. How it has helped her deal with the heartbreaking situation of getting an MS diagnosis. The journey that turned heartbreak back into joy.
The second part of the book is instructions on doing your own 29 gifts challenge. It also contains testimonials from people who have done the 29 day challenge.
I’ve personally one this challenge twice- one for 29 days last December and once for a week in September. I can attest to the joy that is present when you give your gift each day. How it can transform relationships and how it changes your mindset. I’m gearing up to do it again in February and can’t wait to see what happens this round.
5. How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price
For a lot of people, the phone is an addiction. We sleep with it under our pillow, keep it on us at all times and scroll social media during dinner.
I’m personally guilty as charged. I have done all of those things and more. Sometimes I forget what my precious dogs look like because I’m too caught up in texting, scrolling facebook and typing stories.
Price starts the book by giving a quiz to test the reader’s addiction to their phone. She goes on to provide a solid 30 day plan to slowly break that addiction through specific actions.
Think of what life might entail if the extra appendage was cut. Would you have more time to be present? Would you have more time to start your day a little more easily because self care happens first? Would you get closer to others in real life?
My personal experience is yes to all of the above and more. I didn’t exactly follow Price’s advice but did a 19 day phone ban where I was only allowed to use my smart phone for an hour. I learned very quickly what was truly important to me- both on the phone and off.
However, I do think Price has a fantastic strategy for breaking up with your phone and would recommend this book to anyone.
These books will challenge you to see different aspects of self care in a whole new light. They have each changed my personal self care game and have left a lasting impact on me. They have the power to do the same for you, if you’re serious about the challenge.
