"Ultimately the greatest help is self-help"
Bruce Lee
Do you wince at the thought of a "Self-help" book? yeah, me too. But I have a confession to make, I have finally come to terms with it and I need to declare, that actually.....I love them! When entering a book shop, I head straight for the self help section to get my fill of guru. Standing there eyeing up the latest titles to guarantee happiness, I am a bit nervous to reach for a flick through, I mean, I am a happy/self assured woman, I do not need a self help book! Maybe on the surface it would appear that way, but inside there's always some pesky issue niggling away in my mind, I just don't want anyone to know that.
So what do I do to lessen the embarrassment whilst in the bookshop? I apply the LGS method.
L - Lunge in towards the book shelf, G - Grab the book, S - Side-step to the cookery section (That always seems to be next to it) That way people will think you are looking to perfect your victoria sponge rather than perfect your perspective.
Another method could be the double whammy - LGS, then book inside a book option. Y'know, hide your "Why don't people like me?" book inside a Jamie Oliver. With this method however, there is the risk of a book flap panic situation, where you get in all of a dither trying to be speedy. This could cause more anxiety than just plain ole nerve sweats from standing in front of the "Sort your shit out/get a grip" Self help isle.
Don't even get me started on spiritual books, that one shelf hidden at the bottom with a few select titles, where you have to stay in squat position to see them. Chakras, Crystals, Angels, Tarot - LOVE IT ALL, call me crazy if you like, but I always say it takes one to know one.
If I do get a funny look whilst looking at this select shelf, I simply pick up a Wicca book and give them the warning eyes - y'know, like back off sista I know voodoo, type look (I totally don't but I like to have my pretend witchy moment)
The answer to all this palava? Amazon Prime. Even with all the exercise gained in the book shop, lunges and squats, shopping in private may actually be better for your health.
All of this got me thinking, what's really so bad with wanting to develop and introduce myself to new ways of thinking? Is there really a need to make myself feel like a but of a saddo because I want to be better? nope, there is no need, and like most things the worry is in my head - no one else is actually that bothered.
So to embrace my new stance on self help books, I have picked out my top 5 current self help reads:
Eat Pretty - Jolene Hart
I bought this from Urban Outfitters a few years ago now, it was amongst their small seasonal selection. I like to pick this up throughout the year to give me ideas as to what foods to eat in a particular season. It gives ideas as to what to shop for in each season, tells you how your body would benefit from eating those foods and also recipe ideas. I don't know about you, but I generally have a good idea as to what is healthy and what isn't, but I don't always know why they are good for you and what they do. This book gives more info on just that without being overwhelming - I just need the basics thanks!
The life changing magic of not giving a f**k - Sarah Knight
I have already written a separate review on this book which you can find here. But to give a quick over view, it makes you realise that you don't have the time and energy to waste on worrying about lots of things and you have to spend your energy wisely. Only spend energy on things that you do care about, and the rest of it? no f**ks given. It details activities such as the "not sorry" method to help you on your, don't give a f**k quest.
The Miracle Morning - Hal Elrod
I am not a morning person. I like sleep. I need coffee. I need three hours to open my eyelids.
Then I read this book and it all changed. I now get up early in the morning and get stuff done (If I were texting this on my phone, I would insert a fist pump/explosion emoji here)
In a nutshell, this book suggests to get up an hour earlier then usual and complete six steps (S.A.V.E.R.S) before you start your day. This includes Silence, Affirmations, Visualisations, Exercise, Reading and Scribing. Getting into this routine of a morning has really helped me to get focused, achieve goals and it also sets the tone for the day. If you need a bit of a push start to get into a routine of a morning then this is a great place to start. A full review of this is coming soon because it has helped me a lot! it is post worthy!
Raise your Vibration - Kyle Gray
In comes the first "out there" spiritual book for you. This book details 111 activities to raise your vibration and become more in tune with the universe. Say what? yep you read it right.
If you are into Chakras, law of attraction and looking for inspiration as to how to increase your spiritual connection then this is a great read. If you don't have a clue what I am talking about and it worries you a bit, all I have to say is don't be scared! read it and you may gain some inspiration from it, you never know until you try!
Creative Visualisation - Shakti Gawain
This is the first book I ever bought that comes under the "Spiritual self help" category. I actually believe I attracted this to me as it appeared in a small selection of second hand books in the shop I was working in at the time. If you have read or heard of The Secret then it is along the same lines - detailing the law of attraction* and how to implement it into your life. Only this version is not the over commercialised machine that The Secret has become, it is more raw, taking it back to basics. It is one of the first books in the LOA field, and even though its my oldest book it still inspires me.
So that's my little current go to selection, I like to dip in and out of these books from time to time. I have been building my collection, and after my recent clear out, I have rediscovered a lot of old faves (like Creative Visualisation) but I am always looking for new inspiration so I will write new posts as and when I come across great reads (starting with The Miracle Morning)
Now that I have written this post it's not so bad, I have now outed myself as a self help book reader, stigma be gone! I have also have a video relating to this post on my YouTube channel which you can find below, feel free to subscribe if you fancy it!
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*The law of attraction is the belief that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, a person brings positive or negative experiences into their life
http://honestmum.com/brilliant-blog-posts-27th-july-2017/
Loved this post. Like you, I adore self-help books. Brilliant you've now become a morning person too. I loved Eat Pretty and whilst I found The Magical...a little extreme at times, I won't spend time worrying about those that don't matter. Thanks for linking up x
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