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Writer's pictureLetecia Griffin

The Reading Remedy: 6 Self-Help Books for a Better You

As a disclaimer, EnvisionCo Blog is reader-supported. Some links on this site are for additional informational purposes whereas some others are affiliate links (don't worry, these will be clearly marked as such). When you click through an affiliate link on our site and sign-up for a service or finalize a purchase, we may earn affiliate commissions. This of course is at no additional cost to you. Additionally, EnvisionCo Blog is for informational and educational purposes only and is in no way intended to be a substitute for financial advice by a registered certified financial planner, medical advice by a qualified physician, or therapy by a trained mental health professional.


Ever since I was a little girl, I have always had a fascination and appreciation of books. I believe that is because some of my fondest memories are of me and my mom laying in my bed together and her reading to me. My favorite two books for her to read to me were: "Are You My Mother?" and "The Digging-est Dog." Snuggled up to her, feeling her warmth, listening to her voice as she read me into a lull. I still get the warm and fuzzies thinking about it. It is little wonder that to me, books are therapy. (Only partially joking here).


I have often stated on my EnvisionCo social media that we are all in different seasons of our lives and some may not yet be in a position to pay for regular therapy or regular coaching. I get that wholeheartedly. This is one reason why EnvisionCo Blog exists. This is one reason why I continue to pump out material each week to aid you in developing your wellness (whether it be physical, spiritual, environmental, intellectual, emotional, social, or financial). EnvisionCo Blog is my community service. And I love it here. Thank you for allowing me into your headspace to uplift you, to motivate you, to encourage you. Thank you. This said, we are going to transition into the article at hand.


When you are on a budget and unable to pay upwards of $80 to $200+ per week for therapy or coaching, reading good self-help books is the one reliable way to change your life for the better. And those who know me in personally or follow me on social media can attest that I am a big advocate for reading. I truly think that personal development books can help you in so many ways – find a job you love, get more done, learn to handle tough situations, pick up new skills, and even become better with your money. But it is more than just reading the book. You must build the habit of reading self-help books, taking notes, and taking actionable steps with the valuable lessons you have learned. When you do these things consistently, you can transform your life in profound ways. This article, we will review 6 books that can be stocking stuffers for you and or your loved ones to help you build the life of your choosing this upcoming 2025.

Please be aware, that all links to follow will be affiliate links-meaning I may receive commissions if you click the link and complete a purchase, but it is at NO additional cost to you.


More often than not, it is our beliefs that can sometimes limit us and keep us away from our true calling. And many of these beliefs aren't of our own making but were ingrained in us through societal conditioning. Ruiz reveals how these often-unconscious agreements can inadvertently limit our happiness, foster self-doubt, and hinder our ability to experience true joy and fulfillment. He masterfully guides readers through a process of introspection and self-reflection, encouraging them to identify and dismantle these limiting beliefs. If you are passionate about ancient cultures and wisdoms and have a desire to transform your life and eliminate the beliefs that are blocking you from achieving success as you define it, then Ruiz's "The Four Agreements," may be just the book that could help you transform the way you live your life and experience life's joys to the fullest.



In Man's Search for Meaning, Frankl recounts his harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust. Spending the three years in concentration camps, he somehow managed to survive. He describes the dehumanizing conditions, the suffering, and the constant threat of death. Conditions were so bad, he said that he got to the point where he could predict which prisoner would die next based on which ones had stopped having hope for the future. Despite the unimaginable horrors such as these, Frankl discovered that even in the face of extreme adversity, humans can find meaning and purpose. This book wants to inspire us to find something meaningful not just when it comes to things, but when it comes to our lives.



This book seems to take a lot of heat and gets a bad reputation. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have seen on social media (especially in my book groups) the disdain for this book. People even characterizing it as a roadmap on how to manipulate others. Yikes. I can see why some people may feel this way. I enjoyed this book for entirely different reasons. First, I personally love history and this book definitely included interesting tales about different historical figures. Second, I used this book to help me understand the behaviors and motives of other people. This has enabled me to take a step back, maintain my objectivity and not take certain actions or decisions so personally. By my personal estimation, if you want to understand human nature, get better at identifying bad actors, and avoid the pitfalls of naive positive thinking, "The 48 Laws of Power," by Greene is one of the best personal development books to get a new perspective or help you take over the world too if that's your jam.


"The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel delves into the fascinating and often counterintuitive ways people think about, behave towards, and ultimately experience money. In this book we learn that nobody spends their money rationally. We’re terrible at assessing risk. Financial security only exists if you have more and being rich and being wealthy are complete contradictions of each other. Morgan Housel teaches us how our psychology can work for and against us. In essence, this book provides a unique and insightful perspective on personal finance, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence, behavioral finance, and a long-term perspective. Doing well with money isn't necessarily about what you know. It's about how you behave. If you are motivated to improve your financial well-being and develop a healthier relationship with money, this is the read for you.



It's been a little while since I have read this one; however, I think it is safe to view it as the antithesis to "The 48 Laws of Power." Carnegie's How to Win Friends & Influence People," is full of practical advice for anyone who wants to improve their relationships, influence people, and achieve success. The main focus is not on manipulation but on connection with other people. Carnegie encourages that when we are honest with our shortcomings and intentional in our efforts to overcome those challenges, we develop more self-confidence and rewarding relationships. Now I do remember this read seeming a little dated, probably because of the examples used. However, this self-help classic advice is applicable, and time tested. My biggest takeaway was to shut up and listen; people will never forget their experience of you if you do.



Who is your favorite success story? When they sit down and tell of their journey, what do you notice about it? In "The Power of Habit: Why we do what we do in life and business," Duhigg helps us explore how our habits are the foundation of all personal success. This book explores why our habits exist, how they work, and how we can change them. What I learned personally from this book is that if I want to change a habit of mine, I didn't necessarily need to eliminate the routine entirely. Instead, I learned to focus on identifying my cue and the reward and then experiment with new routines that still deliver the desired reward. Duhigg through The Power of Habit provides a framework for understanding how habits work and offers practical strategies for breaking bad habits and forming new, positive ones. It's a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their personal or professional life.




What did you think of my list? Are there any books that you may add? Please be sure to share your thoughts in the comment section below. Books have always been a source of comfort, learning, and transformation for me, and I believe they can be the same for you. Whether you’re seeking to improve your relationships, grow your career, or deepen your understanding of yourself and the world, the right book can be a powerful tool. The six books highlighted in this article are not only meaningful reads but also practical guides to help you create the life you envision in 2025 and beyond. I hope they inspire you to dream bigger, work smarter, and live more fully. Thank you for allowing me to share my passion for personal development with you! And please remember no matter where you are on this journey, do not worry about getting it perfect; just get it going. Until next time. Happy reading!



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"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." ~Joseph Addison
 

Here at EnvisionCo Blog, we try to keep ads to a minimum making our blog entirely reader-supported. We may feature links on this site for additional informational purposes. From time to time, we may feature other links which are affiliate links (and these will be clearly marked). When you click through an affiliate link on our site and sign up for a service or finalize a purchase, we may earn affiliate commissions. This is of course at no additional cost to you. However, if you like what you see and would like to make a donation to help us keep ads to a minimum, we would greatly appreciate it! Nothing fancy. We accept the price of a cup coffee with as much gratitude as we would the price of a tank of gas!




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