Best self help book you’ve read which has made a significant impact to your wellbeing?

[SleepQuest33]

Wasn’t sure where to put this question.

i have the habit of buying books and not quite finishing them. I’m keen to find THE ONE (book that is).

there are so many out there, which one has made a difference to your life? I like the sound of Mel Robins’ Let Them.

thank you!

The Rules. Since reading it in the 90s, I’ve had 5 proposals, and 2 husbands. First DH wasn’t a good fit (even though we were nuts about each other) but the current DH is lovely.

I couldn’t date without it, I was hopeless.

i thought that too. Love the concept (and quote it often), big fan of the author. But the book was disappointing.

i found Buddhism for Busy People had the biggest impact on me. Absolutely changed my life for the better.

It's not a self help book but never split the difference is good, helped me with confidence with tricky conversations not just money negotiation. Most self help books are bobbins and like a blog post spun out into a book. I have a soft spot for Marie kondos book though, batshit as it is.

I love and recommend why has no one told me this before by dr Julie smith
super calm and logical advice, broken into short chapters. The audio version is great to listen to as well
just a fab book all round

Totally agree. Claire Weekes changed my life. The Happiness Trap is really good. The concepts are easy to grasp and - crucially - remember.

Another older book I like is Your Erroneous Zones by Wayne Dyer.

I have just read A Toolkit For Happiness by Emma Hepburn. It’s very good. Kind, thoughtful, undogmatic.

And not self-help as such but Rabbi Lionel Blue’s books are lovely, and full of memorable, helpful anecdotes.

Self help for your nerves by Dr Claire Weekes really helped me with panic attacks years ago. Very practical and not at all preachy or woo. Highly recommend.

Was coming on to recommend Claire Weekes too! I suffered anxiety badly for years and Self help for your nerves was so helpful. Just really clear and practical.

Let Them
AA big book
Codepdendent No More - Melody Beattie

A book that really helped my mh was mindfulness plain and simple Oli Doyle .

Alan Carr - the easy way to stop smoking

Place marking

I’ve recently enjoyed Dr Julie’s Why didn’t anyone tell me this book, really helpful and interesting with actual real examples of things to try. Easily broken up into chapters for each particular issue so it’s easy to dip in and out of.

I also loved Glennon Doyle Untamed, it is full of amusing little stories from her life along with life changing advice. Really relatable and down to earth, and made me think a lot.

I made notes all the way through both!

I haven’t read many but the last one I read and took some notice of was probably Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez.

I haven’t read Let Them but I’ve listened to a few of her podcasts and she seems sensible.

Untangled by Lisa Damour is good for helping your relationship with teen girls too.

Ironically I didn’t finish atomic habits 🤣

I loved the Happiness Trap. It has really helped me when I’ve been suffering.

Edith Eger "The Gift".
Although it's most powerful if you read it after reading her book "The Choice".

Self Help for Your Nerves. Claire Weekes.

Old fashioned but got me out of a cycle of panic attacks. It all finally made sense. Recommended on here actually which is one of the many reasons I stick with MN despite it being an uncomfortable place sometimes.

How to do everything and be happy by Peter Jones.

Seven habits of highly effective people by Steven covey. Life changing.

Women who love too much
The six pillars of self esteem
Why does he do that

All three ought to be required reading for women.

Mel Robbins has recently been criticised for ripping off the “ Let them “ philosophy. She seemingly stole it
or developed it from a poem of the same name and is not very clear about crediting it. ( I haven’t read her book however)

The book that helped me was a big seller a few years ago called Wild by Cheryl Strayed ( I think that’s the spelling). For me it was the right book at a time when I was feeling lost. I might re read it.

The war of art
https://www.amazon.co.uk/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026
I haven't actually finished this book yet but it is very interesting - why you don't actually get down to painting that portrait, writing that autobiography, just getting started whatever that artistic achievement is - this is the book

Another oldie but goodie - Dale Carnegie’s ‘How to win friends and influence people’ was life changing for me in my 20s when I couldn’t escape the trap of being unhappy and lonely. It was written in the 50s (I think) but still has a lot to say about having a more positive outlook. It’s still an Amazon bestseller even today - that’s how powerful it is!

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff and The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh. I read them during a long recovery from burnout and they helped me rewire my brain completely.