Riding a Roller Coaster of Emotions? Check out these Self-Care Books
Recently life has felt like a ride on the longest, scariest, fastest, worst roller coaster ever.
A friend and I use the roller coaster analogy sometimes when we talk about the swings in our moods and perspectives. Some days I’m riding high, climbing up, up, up – hands waving over my head, wind whipping through my hair. The next day (or even that same afternoon) I feel like I am in the darkest tunnel of Space Mountain, careering around a curve, my mouth opened in horror, my hands across my eyes. (That was one of my actual Space Mountain photos. You know – the ones they try to sell you after the ride? Did not buy, fyi. Kind of regret that now.)
But I’m realizing that I am not going to have the strength (emotional, physical or mental) to do what I need to do for my family, at work, for causes I care about, or really anything if I can’t find space to take care of myself.
In other words, part of my ability to persist this year (and thus live up to my mantra) means I have to find time to care for me.
Here are some books and resources I think might be helpful. Hopefully you’ll agree.
Five years ago, Lauren Martin was sure something was wrong with her. She had a good job in New York, an apartment in Brooklyn, a boyfriend, yet every day she wrestled with feelings of inferiority, anxiety and irritability. It wasn't until a chance encounter with a (charming, successful) stranger who revealed that she also felt these things, that Lauren set out to better understand the hold that these moods had on her, how she could change them, and began to blog about the wisdom she uncovered.
This book shares Lauren's journey to infuse her life with a sense of peace and stability. With observations that will resonate and inspire, she dives into the universal triggers every woman faces -- whether it's a comment from your mother, the relentless grind at your job, days when you wish the mirror had a Valencia filter, or all of the above. Blending cutting-edge science, timeless philosophy, witty anecdotes and effective forms of self-care, Martin has written a powerful, intimate, and incredibly relatable chronicle of transformation, proving that you really can turn your worst moods into your best life.
In a world full of personal and professional challenges, it’s not always easy to treat yourself with compassion. Rediscover self-love and embrace who you are with this engaging self-esteem workbook for women. The thought-provoking reflections and activities let you practice focusing on your own emotional health―and develop the confidence you need to take on the world.
Whether you’re struggling with body image, coping with the effects of an unhealthy relationship, or simply trying to grow your self-esteem, you’ll find a variety of helpful tools and exercises for developing a better relationship with yourself. With this workbook as your starting place, you can work toward reaching your full potential.
This groundbreaking book explains why women experience burnout differently than men—and provides a simple, science-based plan to help women minimize stress, manage emotions, and live a more joyful life.
Harboring grudges and plotting revenge takes a lot of energy. While the wait for one true moment of schadenfreude sounds oh so sweet, true bliss can be found in simply not giving a f*ck.
With Let That Sh*t Go, you’ll find moments of profanity-laced catharsis and joy through journaling activities and inspirations that are positive as f*ck. Within these truly charming pages, you’ll find ways to let go of the bullsh*t and lift your spirit a little f*cking higher.
When Ada Calhoun found herself in the throes of a midlife crisis, she thought that she had no right to complain. She was married with children and a good career. So why did she feel miserable? And why did it seem that other Generation X women were miserable, too? Speaking with women across America about their experiences as the generation raised to “have it all,” Calhoun found that most were exhausted, terrified about money, under-employed, and overwhelmed. Instead of being heard, they were told instead to lean in, take “me-time,” or make a chore chart to get their lives and homes in order.
In Why We Can’t Sleep, Calhoun opens up the cultural and political contexts of Gen X’s predicament and offers solutions for how to pull oneself out of the abyss―and keep the next generation of women from falling in. The result is reassuring, empowering, and essential reading for all middle-aged women, and anyone who hopes to understand them.
Do you feel like your life is an endless to-do list? Do you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through Instagram because you’re too exhausted to pick up a book? Are you mired in debt, or feel like you work all the time, or feel pressure to take whatever gives you joy and turn it into a monetizable hustle? Welcome to burnout culture. This book is an incendiary examination of burnout in millennials—the cultural shifts that got us here, the pressures that sustain it, and the need for drastic change.
Picture your best life: Where would you work? What would your social calendar look like? What personal interests would you be exploring? This book is your prescription to turn those visions into a reality―with proven self-care strategies for every area of your life. The Self Care Prescription empowers you to find balance and purpose in your relationships, work, and life. From creating a plan to spend more time with family and friends, to zeroing-in on a career that you can feel good about, the book will help you create a personalized self-care plan. You’ll also learn actionable techniques to fight anxiety, demotivation, or whatever else is holding you back from building the life you want to live.
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