31 Self-Help Books That’ll Inspire Growth and Healing in Every Area of Your Life

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.

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. 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.