We all need gentle reminders to appreciate what we have, love who we are and enjoy the life that we are living. Thinking positively is something simple that changes our whole outlook, but it is often pushed to one side. If you are feeling a little low, here are five of my favourite books that I hope will help you see the light…
Untamed: Stop pleasing, Start living (Glennon Doyle)
Released back in March, Doyle’s Untamed offers insight into how we can live for ourselves instead of living to please others. She presents us with personal memoirs and relatable stories that explain how each person is free to feel all of their emotions. Reading this book took my mind away from my individual struggles, steering my focus towards the internal problems that everyone experiences.
If you feel like everything is moving too fast and you need to learn how to slow down, this daring and original book will help put things into perspective. It’s a breath of fresh air that bursts the bubble of social illusions — in which we all live under — revealing how similar we are and what we all need to overcome.
Good Vibes, Good Life (Vex King)
Small enough to slip into your pocket, Good Vibes, Good Life is a book about healthy habits and the importance of investing time into yourself each day. Making time to meditate, process your thoughts and love yourself are massively underrated, yet entirely valuable.
Vex King’s little book paints a picture of mindfulness, how it can change your life, and how putting your own needs first will increase your happiness. A great reminder of how important it is to set your own goals and live to impress yourself. It’s a quick read but one that I often revisit when I struggle to feel happy with what I have, and need a reminder to express gratitude.
The Art of Breathing (Dr Danny Penman)
Published at the start of 2020, Dr Penman’s book is sensitive to subjects like anxiety and stress; it delicately offers exercises that will calm both your body and mind.
Inspiring, understanding and accepting for all individuals, this book reminds us that sometimes one breath is enough. Sometimes one moment of intentional silence is all you need to re-center your focus again. Taking time to prioritise your mind and body in the present will have a positive impact on your work life, home life and whatever plans are around the corner.
Rootbound (Alice Vincent)
This delicate story is Vincent’s first published book. She is a horticulturist, an expert in all things green, who currently writes for The Telegraph. Beginning with her own story and how she needed to make a change in her life, Vincent describes her relationship with plants and how caring for her houseplants — on a small city balcony — taught her to care for herself again.
Rootbound drew me in with its first few lines. As someone who knows nothing about caring for plants, I wasn’t sure this book would be for me… I was gladly proven wrong. The comparison between caring for nature and caring for yourself is gentle but accurate. We each have a journey of growth and Vincent will lead you down a route of recovery, realisation and restoration if you currently feel less than happy.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (Charlie Mackesy)
This book of art is something to read in bed, the bath, or the coffee shop. It is perfect for when you feel overwhelmed, when the world is moving too fast and you need to take a moment to yourself. Mackesy uses his illustrations and careful quotes to teach us all about friendship, love, forgiveness, and that it is ok not to feel ok.
The boy in Charlie’s collection meets three characters, each one teaching him something different, and asks them questions from the heart. The mole is his first friend, a forgetful character who loves cake and desires to show love through generosity.
As the pages turn, the boy learns about his world through the eyes of the animals. Sometimes it takes the words of someone else to help us understand how beautiful we are, just as we are. If you loved the adventure of Winnie the Pooh growing up, this book will make you smile. It is a gift that keeps giving.
One Last Note
Each of these books brings something new, something different, something you have not felt in a long time into your life. Whether you need to stop, slow down, or look in the mirror to help you think positively, there is a book here for everyone. Take some time to yourself, put your feet up and turn a new page.
Written by Ella Taylor
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