The Dr. Is In: Books for Your Best Badass Life

I’ve been pretty open about how my journey to self-empowerment came through the pages of a book (you can read all about it here).  Luckily there are a lot of new books out this fall that provide insight, inspiration, and instruction to help you address any number of personal development challenges. Check them out below…

Do your relationships often feel one-sided or unbalanced? Are you always giving in just so things will go smoothly? Do you wish you could learn to say no—but, like, nicely? Are you depleted, overwhelmed, and tired of putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to establish some boundaries. Since launching the mega-bestselling wellness program the Whole30, Melissa Urban has taught millions of people how to establish healthy habits and successfully navigate pushback and peer pressure. She knows firsthand that boundaries—clear limits you set to protect your energy, time, and health—are the key to feelings of security, confidence, and freedom in every area of your life. User-friendly and approachable, The Book of Boundaries will give you the tools you need to stop justifying, minimizing, and apologizing, leading you to more rewarding relationships and a life that feels bigger, healthier, and freer. You can read more and get your copy here.

“Too many ideas, not enough time” could be my personal mission statement! I am hoping for some validation (and guidance) from this new release…

In Start More Than You Can Finish, writer, artist, and entrepreneur Becky Blades offers a powerful new mindset for our modern world: acting on more ideas makes us happier—and reveals our highest creativity. She empowers listeners to become "stARTists"—initiators with a bias for action and the courage to ignite ideas—and introduces the concept of "stARTistry," spotlighting a 4-step changemaking process. Using digestible data, humorous and honest personal experience, interviews with artists and entrepreneurs, and assignments to help you get started, Start More Than You Can Finish challenges the tropes our dads, moms, and third-grade teachers told us about finishing. In today's world, we must, in fact, start more than we can finish. You can read more and get your copy here.

Work relationships can be hard. The stress of dealing with difficult people dampens our creativity and productivity, degrades our ability to think clearly and make sound decisions, and causes us to disengage. We might lie awake at night worrying, withdraw from work, or react in ways we later regret—rolling our eyes in a meeting, snapping at colleagues, or staying silent when we should speak up. Too often we grin and bear it as if we have no choice. Or throw up our hands because one-size-fits-all solutions haven't worked. But you can only endure so much thoughtless, irrational, or malicious behavior—there's your sanity to consider, and your career. In Getting Along, workplace expert and Harvard Business Review podcast host Amy Gallo identifies eight familiar types of difficult coworkers and provides strategies tailored to dealing constructively with each one. She also shares principles that will help you turn things around, no matter who you're at odds with. Taking the high road isn't easy, but Gallo offers a crucial perspective on how work relationships really matter, as well as the compassion, encouragement, and tools you need to prevail—on your terms. You can read more and get your copy here.

These next two books are geared toward teens, but still contain legit advice for us grownups! (And, it’s never too early to get gifts for the young badass woman in your life!)

This book embraces the insult with irreverent humor, encouraging readers to be themselves no matter what, including an exploration of the ways this phrase can be interpreted differently among people of different backgrounds. Being a powerhouse is a choice. It's a lifestyle. It's a code of ethics. It takes work, a thick skin, and perseverance. In this book, you'll learn the ins and outs of being a Difficult Bitch, from school to friends to body to life. You can read more and get your copy here.

Speaking up can be difficult, but did you know just how powerful your own voice can be? Written by Laura Coryton, who led the international campaign against tampon tax, Speak Up! is a vital and timely book exploring what it means to stand up for what you believe in on both a public and personal level. Laura explores how to make sure your voice is heard as well as what happens when your voice is challenged by others. She tackles tricky subjects like feminism, consent, online bullying and self-confidence in a meaningful but accessible and entertaining way. With a positive message about friendship, female empowerment and standing up for who you are, this is the perfect gift for girls aged 12+. Inspiring, warm and honest, this conversational and big-sisterly guide is the must-have girl power book. You can read more and get your copy here.

I hope you are enjoying this month’s book by Sarah Knight! Sarah has a great collection of books – plus a new one that just came out last week!

In The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving A F*ck Sarah liberated you from people and things that don’t make you happy; with Get Your Sh*t Together she provided a tough-love push towards getting organized to achieve your goals; You Do You offers a roadmap to embracing your individuality; Calm the F*ck Down delivers practical solutions for managing ever-more stressful times; and F*ck No! teaches you to set boundaries and stick to them with confidence and flair. No F*cks Given: Naughty Words to Live By gathers the very best of this no-bullsh*t, life-changing advice into one must-have gift book that enlightens and entertains on every page.  You can read more and get your copy here.

In addition to books, there are also a lot of great personal development podcasts out there. Of course I’d recommend checking out Sarah Knight’s – but also Glennon Doyle, Gretchen Rubin, Brene Brown and Madeline Dore (just to mention a few!)

Megan Thee Stallion has recently launched a website with mental health resources for fans. The site includes links to organizations, numbers for helplines and ways fans can find a nearby therapist. Check out Bad Bitches Have Bad Days Too here.