Reading books that help you find yourself is really an act of self-care. Just by doing it, you’re reminding yourself that you matter. Here are eight books about self-discovery!

1. Atomic Habits, James Clear

I found this book about changing habits so motivating, and it gave me a lot of opportunity for self-reflection, too. (The idea about pairing something you need to do with something you want to do is pretty genius.)

2. You Are a Badass, Jen Sincero

The full title is You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life. There’s been a big trend in the past several years of self-help books with profanity in the titles, and I think they started with this mega-bestseller with the slightly saucy title.

3. The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin

The full title is The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun. It’s really inspiring, and it’ll make you think!

4. The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron

This is a classic 12-step program for people who want to recover their creative, unique selves. I love Cameron’s idea of taking yourself on an “artist date”—check out my post of 50 artist date ideas!

5. The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.

A friend of mine recently recommended this to me, saying it was one of the best self-help books for women. I think it’s a fascinating and healing book for anyone, though!

6. The Wisdom of the Enneagram, Russ Hudson and Don Richard Riso

A former boss of mine recommended this book to me many, many years ago. The enneagram is a system of nine personality types. It’s one of the best books about finding yourself, and it’s a smart resource for character development for writers. I’m a 7, the Enthusiast!

7. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie, of course, is the author of another even more famous self-help book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. Both of these books were written many decades ago, but the advice is timeless…and there are some unforgettable stories in this one. The concept of “day-tight compartments” was a game changer for me.

8. Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear is all about living a creative, satisfying life. It’s organized into six sections: Courage, Enchantment, Permission, Persistence, Trust and Divinity. I think it’s so inspiring, and I want to re-read it soon!

If you want to put self-discovery and empowerment into action, try my journal filled with easy and fun writing exercises, The Book of Dreams Come True. This journal started out as creative exercises I created for myself to cheer myself up. Lots of people have told me that it lifted their spirits and helped them get their sense of self back again. Check it out!

Do you have books you recommend for self-discovery? Let us know in the comments! Thanks so much for reading, and have a wonderful week!