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In honor of #NationalBookLoversDay, I’ve curated a blog post about 6 books that changed my life for the better. Books that I’ll often refer back to and reread certain chapters if not the whole book, just to remind myself about the things that I learned from that book the first time around.
The books that I’m going to talk about helped me to transform my relationship with my husband, my relationship with hard to deal with people in my life, my relationship with food, and my relationship with my self.
Most, if not all, of these books were referred to me by someone else whose life was changed after reading them. Referrals were either from people who I know personally or blogs I follow. Just goes to show that the positive impacts of a book can spread like wild fire.
The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins
My sister in law and I did a sort of book club together as we both read The 5 Second Rule. She found the book online being featured by another book club as their current book. We both work weird hours so it was hard to commit to a weekly book club together, so instead we did our own with just us two.
“Start before you’re ready.
Don’t prepare, begin.” -Mel Robbins, The 5 Second Rule
Did I mention that her and I live 3 states away from each other? Our book club consisted of at least one hour on 3-4 different nights a week, or whenever we could swing it. We would read the next chapter and do some highlighting/note taking, then go through that chapter together the next time we linked up over the phone for “book club night”.
The 5 Second Rule that Mel came up with and wrote this entire book about, has helped me get things done that I would have otherwise not done. Either due to procrastination or imposter syndrome, among many other un excusable reasons that were holding me back. Her simple and SO easy to use 5 Second Rule has got me to the gym on the day that I just did not feel like going, has got me to organize depths of my house that I never thought would see the light of day again, and finally gave me the push to keep moving forward with this blog!
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear is another book that added daily value to my life in ways that are manageable and realistic. Clear spoke from his own experiences and taught me that it doesn’t take a force of nature to change my life in a big way. That through small, daily changes big goals can be accomplished. Unlike how giant and insurmountable a goal might feel when you first set your mind to it. You start out feeling like you have to make huge changes all at once and drain yourself of all mental energy every single day to get anywhere.
“You should be far more concerned with your current trajectory than with your current results.” -James Clear, Atomic Habits
Because of James Clear, I now have a better system for working toward my goals. Because I’ve learned the power of harnessing daily habits and small changes. Instead of feeling that if I don’t change everything all at once, and make huge daily strides, I am not getting anywhere. His approach is applicable to any small changes you want to make in life or goals you want to reach. From weight loss to growing a business, Atomic Habits will get you there.
Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by John Gray, Ph.D
The copy of this book that I own is actually older than me. The pages are a bit yellow and the dust cover has certainly seen better days. I obviously haven’t been married for the entirety of my life, but I did get this book off my mom’s book shelf early on inmy relationship with my husband, before we got married. It made a HUGE impact on how I view different interactions in our relationship.
“When negative feelings are suppressed positive feelings become suppressed as well, and love dies.” -John Gray PhD, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus
I’ve recommended this book to any friend or even family member who has mentioned something to me about having difficulties in their relationship/marriage. There have been a number of instances a friend will share a situation with me and I have been able to go to my book and send her a picture of what Gray wrote that directly relates to and explains their situation. Sometimes even verbatim of what was said in my friend’s discussion with her husband.
Gray explains everything in a way that is easily understood and won’t put either gender on the defensive right of. Nor does he come from a biased place. He and his wife worked together on this book, as Gray gained much of his experience from difficulties they went through and overcame together. Utilizing the knowledge that he presents in Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.
Food: The Good Girls Drug by Sunny Sea Gold
When I first started writing this blog post I felt really vulnerable, laying out all of the books I’ve read that have helped me with various problems I’ve faced in my life. But then I thought, “what if by sharing these books, I make a difference in at least one other persons life?” So I pressed on and kept writing.
That must have been how Sunny Sea Gold felt writing her book. Very vulnerable. She dives in deep, talking about her struggles with emotional/binge eating from a young age, and even goes on to talk about different situations that triggered her emotions that lead to her leaning into food for comfort.
“For some of us, food and eating problems start really, really, early.We’re talking the womb” Sunny Sea Gold, Food: The Good Girl’s Drug
Sunny collaborates with a number of mental health experts, nutritionists, and even fitness experts when writing this book, and it shows. She talks about how it feels to be in the depths of an eating disorder, and what someone can do to work with themselves to better manage their emotions and eating habits related to emotional triggers. If you struggle with emotional eating, you will feel as though a weight has been eased off of your shoulders when you reach the end of this book. Not only will you have a better under standing of yourself, but you will also feel less alone in your battle.
Target 100 by Liz Josefsburg and Jennifer Hudson
If you struggle with sticking to diets like I do, this book might be the one for you. Target 100 is actually the book that inspired me to give low carb eating a try, as well as helping me to enforce a few other good habits into my daily routine.
Liz Josefsburg is a well known face in the Weight Watchers community. If you’re in your late 20s at least, you might remember when Jennfier Hudson from the early seasons of American Idol. You might also remember a time where she promoted Weight Watchers after her noticeable weight loss success. Jennifer worked with Liz to achieve her weight loss, and their journey together is talked about in his book. The different tips and tricks that Liz taught Jennifer that helped her lose weight and maintain that weight loss.
In 6 easy steps, Liz will transform your life and the way that you view dieting with Target 100. She eliminates the idea of dieting and replaces it with easy to follow daily goals that all amount to an over all healthier life, not just weight loss.
I Hear You by Michael S. Sorenson
I read this book after realizing how badly communication skills have bene impacted by the distraction of technology. Not just my own, but many people who I have conversations with. We are constantly distracted by phones and other things going on around us, as our attention spans continue to drop. I decided I wanted to re learn the skills of being a good listener.
“Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued.” – Michael S. Sorenson, I Hear You
Michael talks in depth bout his personal experiences with listening, and different assignments he had to perform in college that directly demonstrated a lack of good listening skills, even when one thinks they are being a great listener. Michael uncovers the problems with listening skills that some of us have been taught or even just learned along the way, and what you should do to correct those mistakes and become a better listener. Turning you into the person that your friends and family, and maybe even strangers, because they feel heard and validated by you.
Check out my other blog post where I talk about I Hear You by Micheal S. Sorenson: Boost Your Communication Skills Today with this Book
I am hopeful that at least one of these books speaks to you and is able to provide comfort, understanding, and empowerment into your life no matter what your goals or speed bumps in life are. Is there a different book you’ve ready that absolutely changed your life? Tell me about it in the comments! I’d love to read another book worthy of adding to this list.
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