All of us carry backpacks full of life experience. Sometimes they just become so heavy that we struggle to live our lives to their fullest. It seems that all we need is a helping hand to show us a better way of overcoming obstacles and becoming a better version of ourselves. Put overthinking, fear and doubt aside and make room for a more confident you with these five books.

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers

Important exam, changing jobs or maybe something tiny like writing an email which you should have sent two weeks earlier. Fear isn’t really picky when it comes to your plans and it can crawl into your life unnoticed. While it is making itself comfortable between your job and personal life, you actually start getting out of its way instead of fighting for what is yours. You get rid of your dreams and plans because you know you won’t achieve what you want. At least according to this annoying voice in your head.

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway is an instant boost of confidence. It proves that everyone can be brave, fulfil one’s dreams and act to achieve goals. Being courageous is not about not feeling fear but acting against it. Susan Jeffers shows how to achieve this state of bravery to trick our minds into acting in every single situation. A real eye-opener! 

You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero

Let’s be honest: a single look at the cover of this book is a real confidence booster. The bold font on the yellow background screams: you are invincible! Written in a truly funny and informal way and spiced up with vocabulary which no royalty would ever use publicly, this book makes you become more and more confident with every single page.

Jen Sincero brings so much to the table. She tells lots of stories and anecdotes which prove that we humans don’t differ so much from one another after all. It is easy to say “Yes, I have been there” but finding strength to change is another thing. She proves that we live in a world where our consciousness believes to be in control but it isn’t and in a way we follow the archetypal ideas which not necessarily do us good. You will learn how to embrace yourself the way you are, find inner strength and reach for everything what you have always wanted. Does it sound too perfect? Maybe, but it works. 

The Curse of Lovely by Jacqui Marson

You could be one of them or at least you know someone who has been raised to be polite, compliant and to simply make others happy. Refusing to help is never an option and you start making yourself available 24/7. It is fine as long as you are content with the situation. However, saying “yes” every single time your heart says “no” may lead to serious consequences in a long run. The lack of assertiveness omits the most important part of the big plan: you.

Inability to set boundaries lowers your self-esteem, makes you feel less confident and simply tired so as the result you please everyone else but have no time and energy to focus on yourself. I must admit there is a special bond between this book and me. I found it after three decades of lacking assertiveness. It has changed my point of view on so many levels and sparked the willingness to change. It is a must-read for everyone who wants to develop their self-esteem, learn how to say “no” in the best possible way and stop putting others’ needs before their own. 

Stop Overthinking by Nick Trenton

You probably know this little voice in your head. It’s not the one that tells you how amazing you are but quite the opposite – it pushes you into the void of self-doubt and fear. Too much stress, little sleep, anxiety and overthinking every aspect of your life are the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse when it comes to your own existence. The more we think, question and analyse, the more unable to act we become. Which is quite funny when we take into consideration the fact that our mind should be the one helping us out and not working against us.

Managing stress, finding relief and focusing your energy on things that actually make a difference is the essence of great lifestyle. In his book Nick Trenton provides his readers with a whole array of methods to declutter their minds as well as organise thoughts and time for best results. A brilliant book for those who know the bitter taste of overthinking.

A Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

I am worried therefore I care. This used to be my life motto for many years before I decided to change something about this overwhelming burden of stress and anxiety. We have a tendency to think too much, try too hard and worry on every possible occasion. We create a loop of negativity with a no way out. We keep adding fuel to this never stopping machine of despair.

Manson states one thing which is equally liberating and frightening at the same time. None of us is special. This is the beauty of life and relief from all our problems. It means that we may as well let our guard down, do what we truly want and the Earth will still exist. 

The key to the best life possible is letting go. Once we dismiss this idea of making everything as perfect as possible and allowing the universe do its thing, everything starts smoothly fall into place. Manson is not afraid of telling what he thinks, his examples are truly magnificent and the language… Well, the title says it all. It is an interesting read which will turn your life upside down and show you the way of becoming a better, more confident and fulfilled person.

by Anna Sokołowska