A year ago, I committed to reading non-fiction — for the entire year.
I’ve always been an avid reader, but I primarily read fiction because it provided a great escape from work or any source of stress in my life.
But, last year, I decided that I wanted to devote the year to learning, so I decided to try something different: I read non-fiction for the year.
The three books below were life-changing, so I want to share them with you. They specifically taught me how to:
- Be more self-compassionate
- Simplify my life
- Have a better relationship with money
(I added another bonus book to the bottom of the list, an all time favorite. It’s a page-turning true story that’s so entertaining that it seems like fiction.)
1) How I Learned Self-Compassion
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
This book was so powerful that I plan to read it once a year. It gave me the courage to write a book, one of the hardest things I have ever done, and the strength to be more compassionate towards myself when I feel like I’ve failed.
Dweck’s life-changing concept is the growth mindset, which involves adopting the perspective that you are always developing; your abilities are not fixed.
With a growth mindset, no setback is a failure — you’re just learning and developing your skills. And, you can learn your way to personal success and fulfillment, in all areas of your life.
2) How I Learned to Simplify My Life
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
As someone with mild hoarding tendencies, this book was life-changing. I always wanted to live a more simplistic life — to be less encumbered by “stuff,” but I had a really hard time giving things away. (Like the dress I wore on a date with my husband ten years ago or the coffee mug a friend gave me that I’ve never used, but it looks really cool.)
Kondo provides solid advice on how to clean out your home — and how to simplify your life. The basic principle is simple: only keep things that “spark joy.”
After applying her methods, I successfully gave away fifteen large garbage bags full of “joyless stuff” to Goodwill. And we are living happier, less-crowded, more simple lives as a result.
3) How I Cultivated a Better Relationship with Money
The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist
If you asked me about my relationship with money, the answer would be: “It’s complicated.” But it’s less complicated after reading this book.
Before reading this book, I saw money as a source of stress, guilt and scarcity (i.e. never enough!). But, this book enabled me to see money as a source of good in my life.
I realized that money can be a powerful way to express my values — and to do good in the world. For example, I now make a conscious effort to buy more sustainably produced goods. And, I recommitted to giving 10% of my entire savings each year to non-profits whose missions I support.
A Fascinating True Story
Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson
Okay, my reading wasn’t all serious. This was just a really entertaining true story — a non-fiction book that reads so much like fiction that I stayed up until 4am two nights in a row to finish it. It’s one of those rare books where I felt sad to finish because I knew that it would be a long time before I found another true story that was this good.
What non-fiction books have you read that have changed your life? Share in the comments.