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Personal Growth Books by Women

When I was growing up these books were called Self Help Books. If you’re anything like me and my generation Self Help is a dirty word. Who needs Self Help? Admitting you need ‘help’ is admitting weakness. Well, middle finger to that, I say! And, I also say that calling it Self Help is not quite accurate either. I mean, yes you are helping yourself, but it’s more Self Development than ‘help’.

Reading these books sets you apart from those that settle for life as it is! Reading these books means you know your worth and you know you deserve more. To me, reading Self Help Books means you’ve got your head screwed on right, so good on you! And these books are Personal Growth for women and by women, the best kind of ‘self help’ you can ask for!

So, I have chosen 3 books that I simply have to share with you. They are impactful and a must read in my eyes. Here goes:

March 26, 2021

Journaling: A Path to Self-Discovery

I believe in the incredible power of journaling to change our mindset, our point of view and our sense of self.

That’s a big statement, I know, but I really believe it. I’d like to talk about how journaling can be a path to self-discovery. Many years ago I was gifted a book called The Artists Way by Julia Cameron and this book really got me started in a big way in journaling. It is an inspiring read, dedicated to the artist that is within all of us and it is designed to get those creative juices flowing.

The book isn’t only about the benefits of journaling. She also talks about other ways to connect to ourselves, like what she calls ‘Artist Dates’. That is where you take time out with yourself to explore something that inspires you, like an art gallery or an indie movie for example. But, for me, the journaling stuck.

Journaling is not a new thing, it usually begins as a childhood ‘Dear Diary’ but it can evolve into an extension of ourselves, a bosom buddy of sorts. It can be there for us when nobody else can. It can store secrets and feelings too. For me, though, the essence of the journal is the coming home to yourself. And, it is this that gives journaling its power as a path to self-discovery. You can break down all walls and take down all masks with a journal. You can discover things about yourself and help yourself grow, heal or mourn. A journal is a best friend and a keeper of secrets.

March 23, 2021

A Sense of Knowing

There is something deep within us. We call it Trust, Faith, Knowing or Intuition. It doesn’t matter what we call it, we all have it. This knowing comes from our soul, from the deepest most authentic part of us. It is a voice that struggles to be heard above the thoughts in our heads. The question is, do you listen? Do you acknowledge this voice, this knowing?

March 15, 2021

Finding Joy in Little Things

Finding Joy in Little things

I’ve come to realize that finding joy in the smallest of things is one of those gems of life. The problem is, because we have our blinkers on we haven’t realized how precious they are. Yes, there is great joy in the proposal on the beach and the first words uttered by your child, but are we missing the details? Are we missing out on a whole other level of joy that could fill our lives? Joyous moments abound if we pay closer attention!

I’d like to look at a list of pure, simple joys that I think are often overlooked and undervalued (Please add to the list in the comments, I’d love to see it grow!). Simple pleasures that elevate our life experience if we will only stop to notice them.

I want you to take a moment to really put yourself into the feeling and experience of these joyful moments that I’ve listed. Re-create them if you can, even better! The idea is to really wake up to the fact that these small, often unnoticed, experiences can actually bring great joy. This is personal, of course, but there is something on the list for all of us to ponder on. Have you stopped to enjoy these moments or do you let them slip by you?

March 6, 2021

Defining Boundaries as a Mum

I’ve been thinking about my boundaries lately. This isn’t something I’ve given much thought to if I’m honest. I have been ‘Mum’ for almost 13yrs now and with that comes a lot of blurred lines! There was more Mum than Stephanie for many years. It is only recently that I began to realize that these blurred lines exist, and that they can be damaging. Defining my boundaries has been the starting point for my entire Personal Growth journey.

It’s the old ‘Self-Care isn’t Selfish’ scenario. We lose sight of our own well-being because we are too busy being the perfect Mum. Waking up to the reality that we aren’t doing ourselves any favours is the turning point. You start to set up your boundaries because you understand that they are friends, not foes.

February 26, 2021

5 Eco Friendly Brands I Love

I am no Eco Warrior but there are ways that we all can make a difference, so when I come across companies like the ones I’ve listed below that are eco friendly brands, I really want to support them. The waste that we go through just in my little family is quite simply heartbreaking, so finding plastic free products is a win! Then you get the companies that make an effort to put clean, natural ingredients into their products instead of chemicals the average person doesn’t even understand! I want to support them the way that they are supporting us and our planet. So, with that said, here are just a few of the brands that I love and use every day that deserve a mention.

Ethique

Ethique is a New Zealand company dedicated to making a difference in the cosmetic industry. All their products are plastic free and so is their shipping! They are an eco friendly brand all the way!

Ethique are focused on sustainability and their ingredients are cruelty free, vegan, palm oil free. On top of all of this they donate 20% of their profits to charity. Definitely a company I am happy to support! Oh, and did I mention their products are amazing too! With a great range for face, body and hair, all in bar format. They have great natural fragrances too, which I love.

February 18, 2021

The Lighter Side of Death

Thinking about Death is morbid, right? Well, this is where I think we have a problem. I believe there are many lessons to be learnt once we openly discuss Death. The problem is, we have developed a fear of death, and that makes it impossible to actually come to terms with it. When I was searching for photographs for this blog, for example, anything related to death seemed dark and depressing. Gravestones with ravens sitting on them don’t tend to provide comfort to anybody!

I recently read The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware, and it got me thinking. Writing about death is a brave move. So many people look away in horror at the thought of it. In a way its like taking on the subject of religion. It’s something people have strong feelings about but just don’t want to talk about. But it’s real. We can’t escape it. This book approaches the subject in such a gentle, compassionate, and honest way, it makes it a compelling read. The stories shared in the book are heart-warming and filled with important life lessons. If you are looking to learn some beautiful lessons from the dying I highly recommend reading her book.

February 9, 2021

Create a Vision Board

Vision Boards

I’ve created a few vision boards over the years. I find them so inspiring and the whole process is charged with positive energy. Whether you believe in the power of vision boards or not doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you find a way to believe in yourself, in your dreams and in your future successes. And, find a way to get yourself into a positive frame of mind! Mindset is everything! Use your Vision Board as a tool to motivate you.

The same way writing down goals is better than keeping them in our heads, seeing your goals visually is way more inspiring. We feel an emotional connection to the images. If you have always wanted a particular type of house, car, boat, etc. you will get that emotional high from seeing the visuals every day. Keep seeing it and you will feel more driven to chase that dream.

February 2, 2021

Advice for my Younger Self

Imagine you are 12 again. You get a letter in the mail. This letter changes everything for you! It contains every word you ever wanted to hear. Every kindness, every encouragement, every bit of faith in your abilities. This letter is from yourself. A letter of advice for your younger self.

This post is a little bit like a 1yr olds birthday party. It’s not really for the 1yr old. What I’m trying to say is we know we can’t go back in time and deliver this personally, but somewhere inside us that little girl still lives and breathes. Somewhere inside us she needs to hear these words, so let’s give her what she needs! Here’s the advice I would give to my younger self:

January 25, 2021

Signs From The Universe: Do You Believe In Them?

Disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

I’m going to go full woo-woo on you here and admit that I’m a huge believer in signs from the universe! I mean, I spend my days looking for them, I search them up online, I LOVE this stuff! If you aren’t in my corner you’ll be sitting there thinking ‘what the actual hell is this woman talking about’. So, let me start out by explaining that I believe we are all connected. We are not as separate as we have come to think we are. We are all part of the greater force that is God/Source/The Universe!

I believe that we have had a break in our transmission and that the signs that we receive throughout our lives are our source trying to re-connect with us. Part of my personal growth journey is a ‘finding my way back’ to source and to my true, authentic self. This authentic self is who I am at my core, not who I pretend to be for the sake of those around me. At my core I am a spiritual being. This spiritual being is looking to connect with source through these signs from the universe every day.