By Olivia Perron, Currier Times Staff///

I am a double major in Public Relations and Communication and will graduate in May of 2024. The first time I picked up a self care book was February of 2022. I bought the book from the Amazon Bookstore, walked a few doors down to a coffee shop and started reading.

Since then, I have found a passion to sharing with people the power of taking care of ourselves. I have a blog called Chronically Soul Searching based on the social media handle @Chronic_Journals. The original design of Chronic Journals was a space for me to discuss living with a chronic illness (Fibromyalgia) and as my journey has progressed, I now want to create a safe space for others by welcoming them into mine.

As you continue reading, I hope things resonate with you. And if you aren’t ready to pick up a book just yet you are more than welcome to follow my Instagram, @Chronic_journals, for life advice, blog posts and just a little bit of everything else.

I will always recommend books with short chapters so that you can’t tell yourself “I don’t have time.” When you begin to choose yourself, you will begin to see that making time for yourself is more important than anything else. (In my opinion). If you can’t find time to take care of yourself, how can you manage to be busy and burnt out with everything else? You may also find you are not as burnt out when you start to spend time learning about yourself and what you need.

Atomic Habits by James Clear was a phenomenal book written in an engaging way.

Clear explains the transformative powers of small incremental changes to establish habits. Clear compares small changes to atoms, he says that these small changes can create a chain reaction of positive outcomes. Not only does it delve into the power of small changes, but it delves into the psychology of habit formation and discusses the importance of cues, cravings, responses, and rewards involved in habit formation. The book is filled with real-life examples, actionable advice, and scientific research. All of these characteristics make it a practical guide for people looking to make positive changes in their life.

I found this book essential in developing healthy habits and significant changes in my life. It all started with small changes and now I have a good routine and I find it much easier to complete my goals each day. The book is written in a digestible way which is also important to me when I am reading a book.

I want something I can sit and read a chapter in 20 minutes or so and with these of each chapter I was able to do so.

This book is one that I recommend to people looking to start a change in their life. Whether you are new to the self-care/ self-help journey, or you have been on your path for some time, the knowledge this book has to offer is important for you.

Since reading Atomic Habits I have established many healthy habits for myself and quit a few unhealthy ones. I drink 64 ounces of water, I do yoga before bed, I take a cold shower, and have an established night and morning routine that gets me started and closes out my day. Small changes really do welcome bigger things over time.

The Self Love Experiment by Shannon Kaiser was the first personal growth book I ever read. It has a special place in my heart because it signifies when I decided to choose myself. Kaiser shares her personal journey overcoming self-doubt. Kaiser offers practical exercises such as affirmations for readers to reflect and grow in their inner self.

Kaiser wants her readers to significantly embark on their own self-love journey and she serves as a partner in the way she writes. As you read you will feel as though you are walking the path with Kaiser, and she makes sure to make you feel like you aren’t alone. “The Self-Love Experiment” inspires readers to build a positive and loving relationship with themselves, fostering a foundation for greater happiness and fulfillment.

This book gave me inspiration and reasons to want to learn more about myself. It also gives journal prompts to you as you read which I think played a huge role in my self-care journey. The prompts initiate you to really think and delve into your inner thoughts and dig through things you haven’t always thought about. It’s very intentional and helpful discovering more about who YOU are.

This is another book that I would recommend to people just starting out on their journey. It is even more digestible and readable then Atomic Habits. The chapters are on the short side, and you can sit for a few minutes and read one chapter.
I have the intention of reading this book again. Since it was the first book, I read in my self-care journey I look forward to rereading it and listening to the advice in a new way.

How To Do The Work by Dr. Nicole LePera was the most recent personal growth book I have read. This book has a main focus on Holistic Psychology, which is a brand-new concept to me and I am fascinated with this new concept. “Holistic Psychology” is an overall approach to psychology and the mind, body connect. Dr. LePera is the self-titled Holistic Psychologist. After getting her degree is Psychology, she has begun to explore further into the bounds of all that is involved in mental health.

This book explores that idea that the whole body needs to be healed in order to have a strong established mental health healing basis. She explains through her own life experience how she learned more about these concepts and began to heal her own life.

She discusses a lot about how to heal from childhood trauma and understanding the development of childhood trauma. “To heal from this trauma, we must go back to our primal wounds and find new ways to cope with them.” 

She takes an approach to explain there is no way to avoid childhood trauma but more of ways to cope and help each other process such life experiences. Dr. LePera gives a lot of good coping mechanisms and healing rituals for the reader to follow along with. She will give you things to think about and journal about as you read.

The book also emphasizes the use of implementing boundaries into life. And how established boundaries is a huge step in healing and moving forward for yourself. The chapters are a bit on the longer side but is still approachable and I was able to read a chapter each morning without feelings like I didn’t have time.

This book is a little different then my traditional personal growth books because this is written by a licensed psychologist but she takes a different edge to it then just a medical perspective which is why I liked it more.

Summary:

All of these books are wonderful first options to starting your personal growth journey. I hope my advice is found helpful in your decision making.

I have other book suggestions on my blog page so if you need more guidance don’t be shy to head on over and message me if you want to talk more!  You are on the path to healing and growing in yourself. Welcome to personal growth and self-care. I hope you find it warm and welcoming and I am so happy you are choosing yourself.