I used to love reading! My kindle book would explode with all the titles marked as ‘Read’ or in a ‘Wish list’. And my ego would be so proud of itself, because I could tell anyone: oh yeah, I love reading, I read every day.
What my ego didn’t understand (and I don’t think ego ever understands), that my obsessive reading was my form of escape – a huge escape from reality.
I would emerge in a world of other characters, living their life, not mine. Not that it’s bad, don’t get me wrong! But for me it was destructive. Because this need to escape was very addictive and it started to take my life bits by bits, along with my relationships, self-care, self-growth.
Until I hit a rock bottom and googled the same exact title as this blog post: 5 books that will change your life. So here comes my list of books that impacted my life with no option for retreat, because once you start to grow, life only goes forward, never back:
1. THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE by Stephen Covey
Written decades ago, this book holds the secrets to happy life, happy parenting, happy relationships. It took me couple of efforts to pass first chapters but once you dive into the details, a “Wow” happens – your mind is blown away, you stop at every page to soak the info in and you love every phrase Mr Covey puts into this book.
My biggest takeaway:
Taking responsibility for your life is the hardest but the most rewarding thing you will ever, and I mean it, EVER do for yourself.
Statements that will hurt your ego:
- There is no one to blame for our struggles, except ourselves (once we become adults).
- Centring on anything but our own values will not bring fulfillment and joy in the long term.
2. THE 5AM CLUB by Robin Sharma
This book came to me accidentally when I struggled to find time for myself (2 kids, full time job, life stresses, no need to go on – any mom will understand me). Robin finds this time and teaches anyone how you can create your peaceful moment of self-care in a day when most of the city is still sleeping. Boy, it was hard to install that habit…..But exactly at 66th day, you soak the habit, you love it, you become it. And surprisingly, the day starts to be so much longer, the energy is higher, goals are clearer, focus is sharper.
My biggest take away:
When the author states: your life will change in a year if you follow the formula, I laughed and thought to myself: yeah, really. But 1 year later, I do not recognize the woman I see in the mirror: 50 pounds lighter, new career, new vision, absolutely connected to herself and to her family.
Statements that will hurt your ego:
- People don’t get luck, they make luck.
- If you want to achieve something big in your life, you will need to learn to install habits. Your ego will hate that part.
3. A THE RADICAL AWAKENING by Dr. Shefali
This book caused me oceans of tears and stripped my ego of any excuses. She not only opens your eyes on being authentic and living with purpose, she speaks to your heart, and believe me, it hurts. What you find out in this book will turn your mindset upside down and will make you start prioritizing YOU.
My biggest takeaway:
You are not your culture, you are not what people say about you, you are not your bank account or your status. Nothing will ever make you happy and joyful permanently but your ability to do everything with love, purpose and in the moment.
Topics that will hurt your ego:
- Parents mess up, all the time, by projecting their unresolved childhood traumas and patterns onto dependent little minds. No blame for this, just observing, accepting and breaking the cycle.
- Learning to do what you want, not what social standards say, can be painful but will uncover your essence.
4. THE POWER OF NOW by Eckhart Tolle
I started to read this book when my thoughts sporadically triggered my mind and threw me back into my old behaviours: self-doubt, self-sabotage, procrastination and rising anxiety, Mr Tolle gives practical advices on how to stop thinking and stay in the present moment. He explains where the most destructive pattern come from and how to start controlling your mind using it as a tool.
My biggest takeaway:
The more you zone out from the present, the more your unconscious mind controls you, so you don’t have any control over your life.
Topics that will hurt your ego:
- If you like day dreaming, escaping into social media and video gaming every day, this book might be extremely painful for your ego.
- Nothing is happening in the past or in the present, your ego cannot survive in the moment, it only thrives in you are thinking about the past or waiting for the future.
5. THE BODY KEEPS THE SCORE by Bessel van der Kolk
Bessel breaks down the history of psychiatry evolution, how much pharmacology is involved in drug testing and drug research studies and what is happening in today’s world of mental health care. I found scientific proofs of mind body connections, how trauma affects all aspects of our life. It must be compulsory to read this book in any medical school, but it will be very unprofitable for big drug companies to introduce any of these concepts to young health care practitioners. Healing holistically does not bring them money.
My biggest takeaway:
Your body keeps the score of everything that happened to you.
Topics that will hurt your ego:
- There is no magic pill to fix to your mental struggles. And if someone tells you there is, beware of side effects and consequences.
- Burying down the past can help temporarily but eventually your body will scream for help through physical and emotional symptoms.
Remember: someone spent years to write a book, conducted research, tested theoriesand put all his knowledge into the script. You have a privilege to access that knowledge for a price of couple coffees.
Author’s note: follow my instagram page kate.semeniuk and get real insights into your body mind connection, helpful tips for self-healing and find answers to your most pressing questions regarding mindset and emotional health. WHAT ARE YOUR LIFE CHANGING BOOKS?
