Healing and mental health have become buzzword hot topics over the last several years and for good reason. The lifestyle shifts that COVID-19 presented the world with the grave need to place taking good care of yourself at the top of your priority list and at the same time the ending of what I like to call “haughty hustle” culture. What I mean by this is the show-offy, “never-not-working” types who seek public praise for seemingly working all the time. With burnout, various types of traumas, and other challenges at bay, one way or another life has a way of catching up to you to teach you extraordinary lessons. That lesson for me was the direct link between self-love and healing coupled with discernment, slowing down, and living in my decisions to change my mind about things I thought was meant for or even once enjoyed.
Self-love, for me, comes in many forms. The healing portion remains ongoing and is deeply rooted in introspection and the will to continue to grow, discover, and unlock new parts of myself. These four books have been integral to me in that process. Each share powerful stories and offer prompts for journaling that ask the right questions to truly make you slow down, reflect, and assess yourself properly.
I had the privilege of meeting and interviewing The Everyday Feminist author, Latanya Mapp Frett, about her book and the moments and people that inspired her career and leadership journey. I was candid in sharing that prior to reading her book, I never truly considered myself a feminist and was happy to hear her say that was okay–that I didn’t need to have a label so to speak to make transformative change in the world around me. This book inspired me to keep going despite the challenges with the unique stories from women and those who support women around the world making impactful change.
Both You Are Free by Rebekah Lyons and Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist shared themes of faith and scriptures that resonated with me deeply as someone devout in my own faith following. Though rooted in Christian principles, neither book proselytized Christianity and you do not need to be a Christian to learn the many insights these books have to offer.
How We Heal by Alex Elle is a holy grail for healing. Each chapter marked what one might perceive as homework followed by tails of empathy, vulnerability, and a sense of community, this book is a must read if you are looking to reflect, press pause, and renew. I hope this year brings you self-love through healing, reflection, and necessary action to live the life you decide and the freedom to still figure it out along the way.
