A few weeks ago, a sweet friend invited our family over for dinner. She made an amazing meal, complete with jarred food from her summer garden, surrounded by home projects she had made herself. She has more kids than I do and seemed totally good with that. Heavens, the apron she wore was probably hand-sewn.
Later that night and through the next day, I had this lingering—barely even noticeable—feeling of less than. Not enough.
The haphazard meals I throw on the table…
The mad dash to school every morning…
The lack of DIY projects in my home.
But I pushed those thoughts aside as soon as I identified them, borrowing the Hands Free Mama’s mantra of “Only Love Today.” Being wholehearted means never putting your worth on the table—even if that table was decked out with really good food. 🙂
With that said, I’ve got one thing in mind for 2015—a lot more self-love. Maybe it has to do with turning 30 or maybe it has something to do with raising a daughter, but I need to hold my own heart with care. I hope you will too this year.
I’m sure you all agree that books are a fantastic motivator. 🙂
A Self-Love Reading List for 2015
1. Ov
Written by a Washington Post reporter / “harried mother of two,” what piqued my interest about this book is all of the reviewers who say she has filled it with research but includes enough personal experience to make the book a page-turner. (Which we all know can be hard to pull off with nonfiction.) They say it’s bent toward parents but applicable to anyone who feels like busy-ness is contaminating their life.
2. 10 Mindful Minutes: Giving Our Children—and Ourselves—the Social and Emotional Skills to Reduce Stress and Anxiety for Healthier, Happy Lives
Celeb status aside, Goldie is on to something with her mindfulness focus. I’m reading this one as much for myself as for my kids.
3. The Abundant Mama’s Guide to Savoring Slow: Simplify, Embrace the Chaos and Find an Abundance of Time at Home
The thing that is unique about Shawn is that she isn’t all about scaling down our lives to the bare bones but more about finding how to change our mindsets no matter our circumstances.
4. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Considering I’m a Brené Brown superfan, do not even ask me how I haven’t read this one yet! This year is my year. 🙂 If you’re not familiar with Brene’s work, I highly recommend starting here.
5. Scary Close: Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy
Due to hit the market in February, this is the story of the writer’s decision to be himself no matter the cost, in order to to “impress fewer people and connect with more.” Love that.
6. Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It
I’m grateful to the reviewer who said this book is less instructional more anecdotal—better for inspiration than instruction. Sometimes inspiration is just what a girl needs. (The kindle price is 2.99 right now!)
7. Making Peace with the Image in the Mirror
A friend of mine, whose taste and opinions I absolutely respect, recommends this book to everyone she knows. No self-love list would be complete without some material on body image!
8. Carry On, Warrior: The Power of Embracing Your Messy, Beautiful Life
This is one of the few on this list that I’ve already read. If you follow Glennon’s blog, the book may be repetitive to you. But if you are new to Glennon and her community of warrior moms, don’t miss this one. It is a light, funny, hope-filled read that will make you want to embrace this big, messy world.
All right, team, get ready for a motherload of questions! Have you read any of these?
Do you have any other self-love books to recommend? (I’d love to have the comments section be an extension of this list!)
Here’s to a kinder inner voice in 2015!
A couple of notes. (1) To my awesome friend who inspired this post: You rock. Don’t change. (2) If you purchase something through a link in this post, I’ll receive a small portion at no cost to you. (3) Update: I recently shared a list of books I’ve read and loved that will all nurture your self-love: Books to Inspire a Kinder Inner Voice. Enjoy!
Yes to the book club! I can’t promise I’ll read them all but there are some on your list that I don’t want to miss out on!!
Agreed, Beth! I’m not even sure I’ll pull them all off this year, but I’m gonna try! And I’d be happy to share thoughts after I finish each one. We will see…! And come back here and let me know if you read any of them!
I love your reading list and this topic is right on cue with what we are striving for as a family this year! Slowing down, loving more, stressing less, etc. Thanks for the book list! And your awesomeness!
What interesting titles! I’m definitely going to try to pick up one or two this year. I know what you mean about parenting (especially girls?) forcing you to reflect on your own self-image. Thanks for the suggestions, Erica!
Well said, Evie! I couldn’t agree more.
You can bet I’ll be adding some of these to my reading list!
I’m glad, Sierra! Still reading at Panera? I hope so! (Heaven knows I would be!) 🙂
Ooooh my. You’ve shared a delicious assortment of books here! I just want to dig in.
The second books sounds super intriguing. That just might go to the top of my reading list for this year.
Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
I’m listening to 10 Mindful Minutes right now! So far so good! Glad to have connected, Jennifer!
What a great list! I say yes to the book club idea!
I am interested for sure.
Ooh, good, Kristie! Will keep you posted!
I would be interested in the book club!
Glad to hear it, Susan! I’ll keep y’all posted!
This is wonderful! I’m hosting my first Self-Love Challenge next month and I’ll definitely be sharing this list as a part of it. Thanks for the wonderful suggestions.
Thanks so much, Akirah! I checked out your website, and it is so impressive! I love your very clear message.
I want to read all of these! I’m especially intrigued by #2. Because I’ve always struggled with stress and anxiety, I’m really open to learning how to ensure my children are able to lead a more peaceful existence…and of course help myself in the process, too!
Yes to the book club! Count me in!
So many good books to read!!! I’d already read this list, but I’m glad you linked up to WFMW! 🙂
Erica, I love this list–and the inspiration behind it! You go, girl–and thanks for encouraging all of us to take good care of ourselves, too.
Thanks so much for sharing it at Grace at Home–I’m featuring you this week!
Thanks so much for the feature, Richella! I hope you’re doing well!
Erica, Thanks for linking up to the Sparks of Happiness link up. This post was a perfect fit. I haven’t read any of these books but I am adding #6 (Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It) to my wish list! I shared your post on Pinterest and Twitter 🙂
Thank you so much, Michelle! It was fun to participate – I just love the concept of your linkup!
I’d be interested in a book club! don’t know if I can do every one but if I can I’d definitely participate!
Great, Nidha! Like I mentioned, it’s the world’s most casual book club. So basically, I just tell everyone what I’m reading and then try to chat about it at the end of the month, either on the blog or Facebook. This month, I’m reading Scary Close. Would LOVE to hear your thoughts toward the end of the month! (Or a little later, because like I said, casual.) 🙂