7 Must-Read Self-Improvement Books Recommended by a Therapist

March 1, 2022

7 must read self-improvement books

Hey There, I'm Ryann Nicole.

I’m a recovered binge eater who changed the story from something that happened to me to something that happened for me. Now, I’m a licensed therapist teaching you to do the same.

My mission? To help you ditch food stress and live your life with mental peace and freedom every single day!

In This Blog

On the hunt for a fresh self-improvement book? Well, you’re in the right place because, just like you, I’m a sucker for these gems. I mean, who doesn’t love a little extra wisdom to up their life game, right? I could hit you up with a bazillion self-help titles, but let’s keep it real and kick things off with some essentials!

01. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

“The belief system is like a Book of Law that rules our mind. Without question, whatever is in that Book of Law, is our truth.” pg. 9

Why you should read this book: Behaviors follow beliefs. Therefore, whatever I believe (my ‘Book of Law’) is what will be true for me and influences my actions. If I desire to change my behaviors, I must begin by altering my beliefs. However, this is not an easy task, especially when we lack a full understanding of our beliefs or their influential power. Don Miguel Ruiz outlines four simple agreements to follow, initiating the process of challenging your beliefs and crafting new truths for yourself!

Click HERE to purchase.

02. I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t) by Brene Brown

“Compassion is not a virtue — it is a commitment. It’s not something we have or don’t have — it’s something we choose to practice.”

Why you should dive into this self-improvement book: You can’t rock a positive life with a head full of negative self-talk. Compassion towards yourself isn’t a trait you either possess or lack; it’s a daily choice. Brene Brown masterfully unravels the perplexing web of shame that often convinces us we’re unworthy of self-compassion and offers valuable insights on breaking free from that cycle.

Click HERE to purchase.

03. Untamed by Glennon Doyle

“‘Easy’ buttons are the things that appear in front of us that we want to reach for peace they temporarily take us out of our pain and stress. They do not work in the long run because what they actually do is help us abandon ourselves. ‘Easy’ buttons take us to fake heaven. Fake heaven always turns out to be hell.” p. 278

Why you should pick up this self-improvement book: Even though it might not fit the conventional self-improvement category due to its nature as Glennon Doyle’s personal story, the wisdom she imparts within these pages is undeniably valuable. I can’t help but label it a self-improvement book, and here’s why: if you’ve ever felt like your story was too shadowed to transform, that you were too entrenched to change your course, or that you’d strayed too far from the ‘right’ path to make a difference, this book will provide you with a fresh perspective.

Click HERE to purchase

04. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck

“..our brain is always trying to make sense of our current situation based on what we already believe and have already experienced. Every new piece of information is measured against the values and conclusions we already have. As a result, our brain is always biased toward what we feel to be true in that moment” p. 125

Why you absolutely need to give this self-improvement book a whirl: Mark Manson is a pro at laying our behaviors bare, delivering the unvarnished (though highly essential) truths. If your life is currently tethered to the opinions of others – in other words, if every decision you make is plagued by the question “What will others think of me?” – then this book is your golden ticket. Mark Manson skillfully guides you through your core values, shedding light on how these might not be personality flaws but rather symptoms of a value system gone astray.

*Fair warning: This book doesn’t shy away from strong language. If colorful words ruffle your feathers or hit a nerve, you might want to pass on this one.

Click HERE to purchase

05. Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski

“‘Wellness’ is the freedom to move fluidly through the cycles of being human. Wellness is thus not a state of being; it is a state of action.” p. 28

Why you shouldn’t miss out on this self-improvement gem: Because there’s simply no way to dodge stress, and the real issue isn’t the stress itself but our ability to handle it. Emily and Amelia Nagoski take a deep dive into the stress cycle, unraveling its intricacies and equipping you with everything you need to master stress management. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking you’re the root of the problem, that you’re too much to handle, or that you just need to ‘toughen up,’ then this book was tailor-made for you!

Click HERE to purchase

06. The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest

“It is not that brave to say you love your body only after you’ve contorted it to precisely what you want it to look like. It is not that brave to say you don’t care about possessions when you have access to everything in the world. It’s not that brave to say you aren’t motivated by money what you have enough of it. When you only find happiness and peace after you’ve fixed every flaw, mastered every challenge, and are living decidedly in the ‘after’ part of the picture of your life, you have not resolved anything. You have only reinforced the idea that you cannot be okay until everything is perfect.” p. 147

Why you should absolutely dive into this self-improvement book: Brianna Wiest is a genius, and her insights into self-sabotage within these pages are a treasure trove. It’s one thing to recognize your self-sabotage patterns, but understanding their origins and discovering how to break free from that destructive cycle is a game-changer. If you’ve ever grappled with self-sabotage, consider this book your guiding light!

Click HERE to purchase

07. Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch

“Sometimes just the thought that you will overeat is enough to actually make you overeat.” p. 115

Why you shouldn’t miss this self-improvement book: Whether or not you grapple with food issues, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch deliver more than just an approach to eating within these pages. This book lays the groundwork for a life that enables you to experience emotional and physical well-being, irrespective of the choices others make concerning food and their bodies. It equips you to silence the external clamor and adopt a fresh perspective.

Click HERE to purchase


Keep Reading

3 Steps To Break Free From Body Checking From A Licensed Therapist

How I Became A Binge Eating Therapist: My Story

What Makes Me Your Unique Binge-Eating Therapist

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Ryann Nicole

Licensed Therapist, Certified Nutritionist, and Virtual Wellness Coach

Ryann is a licensed therapist and virtual wellness coach who has assisted individuals worldwide in establishing a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.

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Ryann is a licensed therapist and virtual wellness coach who has assisted individuals worldwide in establishing a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.