Books
There Is Nothing Wrong with You – Cheri Huber : This book is a playful, short guide to acceptance of what is. It’s about getting past all the conditioning that told us we weren’t any good and letting our real selves shine through. Even though the book itself is brief, the concepts it introduces are big and all-encompassing.
Radical Acceptance – Tara Brach : This book is a comprehensive guide to being mindful and present in your life. It helped me to understand the connections between meditation and the rest of my day. It’s also a wonderful resource, because it includes a bunch of guided meditations in written form.
Nonviolent Communication – Marshall B. Rosenberg : I feel sheepish every time I recommend this book to someone, because it’s just unapologetically cheesy at times. If you can get past that, though, this is probably the resource I most highly recommend. It teaches you how to dig through layers of words and pain to identify your own needs and figure out how to meet them.
The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron : I can’t say that I’ve ever made it through all the exercises in this book (nor do I know anyone else who has), but it’s still great. It’s full of ways to nurture your artist self, whether you think s/he exists or not. Many of my creatively-inclined clients have walked away from our sessions with fond memories of their first artist date.
The Creative Habit – Twyla Tharp : I’m going to be honest here: Twyla Tharp is intense. Way more intense than I am. You will never catch me waking up at 5 am or spending two hours a day at the gym in service of my art. And while she may be much more intense than most of the rest of us, she serves up plenty of ideas for how to make your work more systematic and plentiful.
Revolution from Within – Gloria Steinem : This book is, pure and simple, old-school feminism. But I love it. It’s a great reminder (in case you forgot) of the ways in which women are oppressed (and how to buck that oppression). It’s also a historical insight into the world of second-wave feminism.
Life Doesn’t Begin 5 Pounds from Now – Jessica Weiner : Simple and useful. Jessica’s work seems to be, in general, targeted at younger women. But I think this is a great jumping-off point for realizing that life can be more — so much more — than worrying about the way your body looks.
Normal Eating for Normal Weight - Sheryl Canter : It’s a short read but a resource I return to again and again. I used this book to (finally) learn to feed myself based on hunger, not emotions.
Style Statement – Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte : This book inspires you to get to know yourself more deeply and express yourself in everything you wear, have, and do. This is one of those books I want to buy for my mom, my best friend, and every other creatively-inclined person I know.
Online Luminaries
The Fluent Self – Havi Brooks : Just in case you hadn’t noticed, Havi’s work informs a lot of what I do. I could imagine where I’d be if I hadn’t found her, but I don’t want to. So there.
Madeleine Lohman : Madeleine is a yoga teacher and massage therapist in Sacramento, CA. Her writing is full of permission and real-live-person perspectives on yoga and wellness. She’s written boldly about mental health and illness.
Cynosure – Sui Solitaire : Sui is gentle and inquisitive. She teaches about eating, food, bodies, and self-love, often by sharing her own (sometimes raw) stories.
Unicorns for Socialism – Alexandra Franzen : Alex has a way with words like no one else I’ve met. Her posts often challenge me, and also teach me things. What she does is always beautiful.
When I Grow Up Coach – Michelle Ward : Michelle was the person who helped me realize it might be possible for me to become a coach. She’s a world-class extrovert, a connector, full of enthusiasm, and downright colorful. When I visit her blog, I feel hopeful.