I’m always on the lookout for the best self-help books that offer new insights, but I’ve noticed the genre sometimes carries a certain stigma. Still, I’ve long believed that surrounding ourselves with inspiration—whether through books, people, or experiences—can be transformative in and of itself. The act of seeking growth plants a seed, and over time, that intention blooms into meaningful change. Of course, progress also happens through the small, practical steps we take each day, moving steadily toward the version of ourselves we hope to become.
But getting started is often the hardest part. When I find myself stuck, even the smallest action can feel like it takes everything I have. We hesitate, paralyzed by the fear of getting it wrong, and fuss over details that don’t really matter—anything to avoid the discomfort of simply beginning.
Featured image from our interview with Radhi Devlukia-Shetty by Michelle Nash.
31 Self-Help Books to Change Your Life
So, how do we loosen the grip of that stuck, super-glued feeling we all encounter? The answer lies in action. As one article puts it, “taking action is proactive. It values forward motion and momentum over wondering and worrying. It puts you firmly in the driver’s seat and builds the confidence you need to face whatever’s holding you back.”
Once we take that first step, momentum kicks in and carries us forward. What once felt impossible begins to feel achievable, and before we know it, we’ve crossed the finish line. It’s funny how something so daunting can shift so quickly once we simply begin.
With that in mind, we’ve curated a list of our favorite self-help books to help you take those first steps toward a more fulfilling, productive future. Whether you need motivation or just a gentle nudge, these reads are perfect for those moments when life feels a bit stuck.
Self-Help Books for Creativity
These books are a lifeline when inspiration feels just out of reach. They don’t just offer tips and tricks—they remind us that creativity is less about perfection and more about showing up, embracing curiosity, and trusting the process. These books encourage us to let go of self-doubt, lean into experimentation, and find beauty in imperfection.
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin, the famed record executive and co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, compiled all of his most potent creative wisdom into a single (admittedly hefty) book. It reads like poetry, and you’ll be inspired to share snaps of the pages to your Instagram story.
The Power of Fun: How To Feel Alive Again by Catherine Price
Many of us go through life hyper-focused on success and power, so much so that we forget to enjoy the lives we’re given. The Power of Having Fun teaches us to simply have fun, despite the common belief that fun itself may be “indulgent, even immature and selfish.”
Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull
Creativity, Inc. dives into the meetings, postmortems, and “Braintrust” sessions where some of the most successful films in history are made. This is an insightful self-help book about how to build a successful, empowering creative culture.
Originals re-defines what being creative means by using specific examples of how persistence, transparency, critical thinking, and perspective can be brought together to change the world.
Self-Help Books for Leveling Up Your Life
Shift your mindset, break old patterns, and step fully into your potential. These reads serve as a compass for personal growth, offering practical tools while also inviting deeper reflection. Ultimately, these books remind us that leveling up isn’t about perfection but about becoming the most intentional, empowered version of ourselves—one step, habit, and mindset shift at a time.
The Universe Has Your Back by Gabriele Bernstein
Gaby gives you the tools to find strength when you’re down, synchronicity, and support when you’re lost, safety in the face of uncertainty, and joy when you’re otherwise in pain. Follow her secrets to unleash the presence of your power, and know that the universe always has your back.
The stories are extremely relatable and perfectly illustrate just how challenging it can be to adopt new patterns and behaviors. But with a shift in mindset, positive and meaningful change is possible. It’s truly a must-read if you’re looking to jump into new habits and establish healthy routines for the year to come (and beyond!).
Written by the mother of holistic medicine, this book simultaneously inspires and teaches you to build a life of passion, purpose, and love. It’ll guide you to build rich and rewarding experiences and to make the most of each day.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Self-limiting beliefs can be one of the biggest obstacles to changing your life as you know it. This book couldn’t be a more perfect read for defining your life through simple and natural acts.
Stop waiting for your life to change and take control of your present and future with this book’s ready-to-apply tips. If you’re looking for guidance that will take you through every step of designing a happy life, pick this up, stat.
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
This book is the perfect reminder that everything we do is a work in progress, and that the misconception of perfection is nothing more than an obstacle in the healing process.
Quarterlife by Satya Doye Byock
Whether you’re in your late teens or mid-thirties, this book is a valuable read, with many relatable and validating concepts for those struggling to find themselves.
The French Art of Not Trying Too Hard by Ollivier Pourriol
May I present the idea that perhaps success doesn’t require all the hustle our society says it does? The French Art of Not Trying Too Hard encapsulates this idea by referencing French philosophers who believed that letting go may be the answer to heightened creativity and a more fulfilling life.
Self-Help Books for Productivity and Work
These books go beyond teaching time management—they help you cultivate a mindset that balances efficiency with purpose. These reads go beyond to-do lists, providing frameworks for working smarter, not harder. At their core, they encourage you to align your work with your values, so productivity becomes less about doing more and more about doing what matters.
The Power of Self-Discipline by Peter Hollins
This book breaks down the science behind that truth and provides you with the practices and habits to keep committing to yourself, day after day. We all know that willpower is a limited resource and one that depletes faster the more we have to exercise it. But The Power of Self-Discipline helps make will-power habitual, helping you say no to what doesn’t align and yes to what really matters.
Romanticizing your morning routine is one of the best ways to up-level your life. The 5AM Club couldn’t do a better job of reiterating the importance of morning rituals. The book tells the fictional story of four characters who use the first hour of their day to get ahead and seek inspiration.
Sharing how she never works more than 30 hours a week, Jenny focuses her efforts on systems that will help her business function so she can free up time for outside enjoyment—which we could all use a little more of.
Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski
Written with her sister, Amelia Nagoski, DMA, Burnout dives deep into the reasons why the phenomenon impacts women more than men and provides readers with actionable steps for decreasing stress and stepping into each day with more ease and joy. Lauded by everyone from Brené Brown to Gwyneth Paltrow, this book defines the must-read genre.
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
Founded on the premise that, if we live to eighty, we have four thousand weeks, this book shows you how to make the best use of your time. Full disclosure: This doesn’t mean that life hacks and ever-expanding to-do lists are the answer to becoming your most productive self. Instead, Oliver Burkeman shows you how to find meaning for yourself by embracing a different idea of time and living your life in a way that creates space for what matters most to you.
Your morning rituals and habits may have more impact than you think. James Clear took the world by storm with his book Atomic Habits, which teaches several important lessons, including the effect of “marginal gains” and that whether you win or lose, your goal stays the same, but the ability within yourself to reach that goal you is what you must evaluate.
Self-Help Books for Physical and Emotional Wellness
When it comes to physical and emotional wellness, the best self-help books act like a compass, gently guiding you back to yourself. These reads don’t preach perfection—they offer tools for tuning in: to your breath, your thoughts, and the signals your body sends. Some will inspire you to build strength and energy; others will help you release what weighs you down emotionally. Together, they encourage a more intuitive approach to well-being, where rest is as essential as movement and joy is as important as discipline. Because at the heart of wellness is balance—finding rhythms that nourish you in every season.
Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies by Tara Schuster
Maybe you’re looking to redefine your relationship with yourself or break free of self-limiting patterns and beliefs. Whatever the inspiration is you’re looking for, this book has you covered.
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat In Difficult Times by Katherine May
An emotional must-read, Wintering reminded me that our lives are cyclical and that sometimes the best thing you can do in the healing process is rest.
The Clarity Cleanse by Habib Sadeghi
Experience a journey of self-discovery to unlock the unresolved emotional issues hurting your health and success, and how to live with greater self-awareness. An advisor to Gwyneth Paltrow, Emily Blunt, Tim Robbins, Stella McCartney, and others, Dr. Sadeghi shows you how to turn obstacles into healing and energizing opportunities through a liberating 12-step guide to recognizing the emotional issues that hold you back.
The Self-Care Year by Alison Davies
Moving and flowing with the seasons is such a beautiful concept that The Self Care Year illustrates so well. It’s a light read with beautiful illustrations that capture the beauty of nature and our alignment with it.
Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer
If you’ve ever believed that things like procrastination, phone addiction, or less-than-healthy eating patterns are a result of a lack of willpower, read this book. If overwhelm has been your new normal, read this book. If you’ve experienced an increase in anxious thoughts and feelings over the past two years (who hasn’t?), read this book.
The Wisdom of Your Body by Hillary L. McBride
Like many women, learning to make peace with my body (a part of myself I’ve been taught to vilify since I was born) has been a journey fraught with complexity. But through McBride’s writing, research, and compassionate approach, I’ve learned to create a healthier relationship with my body, my appearance, and myself.
While the concepts of self-love and forgiveness can feel elusive at times, Kaur speaks to what it means to connect with and embrace all parts of ourselves. You’ll be beautifully shocked by the ways this book encourages you to grow.
Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker
In Quit Like a Woman, Whitaker unpacks our world’s obsession with drinking—pointing out its presence at just about every social gathering and function we attend. She shares her own personal journey toward sobriety while tracking the larger ways alcohol companies target women.
This book explores Buddhism and its teachings which detail many essential life lessons, including that nothing in life will ever be certain. Coming to terms with that idea through mindfulness, meditation, and self-awareness is the key to finding happiness in the unknown.
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Trauma isn’t just something that exists in the abstract—it impacts both our body and brain in significant ways. It influences how we experience everything from trust to pleasure, and shapes how we relate to the world. This book is impressively researched and draws upon the latest scientific data to provide readers with a renewed sense of hope and a path to healing.
Self-Help Books for Relationships
Relationships—whether with a partner, friend, or family member—are where we experience the most growth, and often, the most challenge. The right self-help book can offer insight into how we connect with others, communicate our needs, and navigate conflict with grace. These books invite us to reflect on the patterns we bring into relationships, helping us cultivate empathy and deeper intimacy. Some provide tools for healing, while others remind us of the importance of boundaries and self-love. Because thriving relationships start with showing up authentically—not only for others, but for ourselves.
The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
Continuously practicing self-love is one of the most important things we can do in an age of judgment and hate. This book serves as a reminder that changing your mind may be the first step in liberating yourself and finding self-fulfillment.
The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine N. Aron
Hypersensitivity is a trait that often garners a negative connotation. However, The Highly Sensitive Person teaches readers to embrace their sensitivity and work with it to flourish in an overwhelming world.
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover
After reading this, I’ve recovered from chronic burnout and find myself able to show up with greater presence and authenticity for all the relationships in my life (including the one I have with myself).
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