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Welcome to Laurel and Iron - a lifestyle blog documenting my life and adventures in New England and beyond.

My Favorite Self-Improvement Books

My Favorite Self-Improvement Books

September is National Self-Improvement Month! What better way to celebrate than to discuss of one my favorite tools - Self-Improvement Books. I love them and devour them with eager inhibition. 

I do not sulk around the self-help section at Barnes and Noble with a pair of over-sized sunglasses and hoodie praying not to be seen.I march in with my head held high. I love self-improvement books and read them openly and proudly in public. Why? Because I think it’s kind of silly to be ashamed of recognizing a fault, weakness, or curiosity in ourselves and acting on it. 

My Favorite Self-Improvement Books | Laurel and Iron

It’s a beautiful thing to want to do better and feel better. So, cast aside the stigma surrounding self-help genre and head on over to Amazon to pick up these amazing reads!

You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero | My Favorite Self-Improvement Books | Laurel and Iron

You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero*

Best Quote...If you’re serious about changing your life, you’ll find a way. If you’re not, you’ll find an excuse. 

You might like it if...You found The Secret a little too “woo-woo” but like the idea of setting intention and acting in accordance with your highest desires. Or if you’re the kind of person who responds best to a little tough love (that’s totally me!).

Read it...When you’re feeling stuck in your life and your goals seem out of reach.

You Are a Badass Everyday by Jen Sincero | My Favorite Self-Improvement Books | Laurel and Iron

You Are A Badass Everyday by Jen Sincero *

Best Quote…What other people think of you has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. 

You might like it if...A lot of tough love at once is too much too swallow. This book is meant to be taken day by day. Go in order or open up to a page at random. Sometimes you’ll get a passage to read or a daily challenge. Oddly, it will always end up being the thing you needed most that day. 

Read it...When you need a little boost.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson | My Favorite Self-Improvement Books | Laurel and Iron

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck  by Mark Manson

Best Quote...Don’t just sit there. Do something. The answers will follow. 

You might like it if...You find other self-help books too touchy-feely and want someone to give it to you straight. If you’re a pessimist. If you like to laugh. 

Read it...When you don’t know where to start or you do know where to start but are worried about other people might thing. Or if you just constantly find yourself worrying about what other people think of you or your choices and actions (that was me when I started blogging).

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson | My Favorite Self-Improvement Books | Laurel and Iron

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson *

Best Quote...I AM GOING TO BE FURIOUSLY HAPPY, OUT OF SHEER SPITE. 

You might like it if...you have ever suffered with anxiety or depression. If you have ever felt hopelessly alone in your struggle. If you are in need of proof that it’s ok to feel sad even when things are good. If you like taxodermied  raccoons. 

Read it...When you need a laugh. When you need a friend who gets it. When you need hope that it can and will be better. 

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz | My Favorite Self-Improvement Books | Laurel and Iron

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz *

Best Quote... There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take nothing personally. 

You might like it if...You feel bogged down by the expections and opinions of others. If you wish to let go of social constructs in pursuit of your own ideals. If you struggle to love yourself because of the agreements you have made with others. If you are a human with thoughts and feelings (seriously, everyone should read this).

Read it...When you are ready to let go of the ideas about what life should look like taught to you since infancy. Read it slowly and with intention. Take it in. Practice the agreements each in turn. Revisit often. 

Tell me your favorite self-improvement books in the comments below!

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, denoted with a *, are affiliate links. If you shop using these links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Laurel and Iron!

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