So you’re feeling stuck.
Like… floating in the middle of nowhere with no compass, no gas, and no idea where you were even headed in the first place.
I’ve been there too. (Too many times to count.)
But you don’t need a motivational quote or a new planner right now—you need real, grounded guidance. You need a plan, or at the very least, someone else’s roadmap to spark your own.
That’s what these books are for.
Each one has either:
- Changed the game for me, or
- Is so widely recommended that NOT mentioning it would be criminal.
So if you’re looking for clarity, direction, purpose, or just a better freaking month, here are the 9 books you’ll want to grab.
1. The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
For when you know you’re sabotaging yourself… but don’t know how to stop.
This book really hit me.
It’s not about blaming yourself—it’s about finally understanding yourself. Why you procrastinate. Why you stay stuck. Why change feels terrifying, even when it’s what you say you want.
You’ll walk away with:
- Tools to stop self-sabotage in real time
- A better understanding of your triggers
- And a surprising sense of self-compassion (finally)
“Your new life is going to cost you your old one.” Oof. Yeah. That line alone is worth the read.
2. Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
For when you want a life plan that actually works in the real world.
If you’ve ever thought:
“I have no idea what I want to do with my life… but I do know I want it to be meaningful,” —this is for you.
It’s written by Stanford professors who teach design thinking, and they treat life like something you can prototype. So instead of sitting around waiting for clarity to strike, you actually start testing what lights you up.
You’ll learn:
- How to “design” a career and life you love
- Easy experiments to explore new directions
- That it’s okay to not have it all figured out (no one does)
3. Atomic Habits by James Clear
For when you need to pull yourself out of the mental fog, one small step at a time.
This book isn’t about goals. It’s about systems.
Because when your life feels off-track, setting another big, shiny goal can actually make it worse. Instead, Atomic Habits shows you how to get back on track by focusing on tiny daily actions that stack up over time.
Why it works:
- No motivation needed
- Super practical
- Makes habit change feel actually possible (not just inspirational)
📌Pro tip: Don’t just read it. Pick one habit and try it out immediately.
4. The Path Made Clear by Oprah Winfrey
For when you need hope, comfort, and a flashlight in the dark.
This book is more like a conversation with a wise mentor than a “how-to.” It’s short, beautiful, and packed with insights from some of the most successful and soulful people alive.
This isn’t “hustle culture.” It’s “heal and move forward” culture.
Best parts:
- Inspiring quotes and reflections
- Oprah’s own journey from confusion to clarity
- Space to just… breathe
5. The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
For when you want to understand why you’re not where you want to be yet.
This one is sneaky powerful.
It shows how everyday decisions – like whether you journal or scroll, hydrate or skip water, sleep or binge, stack up over time. The “slight edge” isn’t about massive change overnight. It’s about making better-than-average decisions consistently.
📌The big takeaway: You’re always on a path—either toward success or decline. Every tiny choice matters.
6. Essentialism by Greg McKeown
For when your brain is overloaded and everything feels urgent (but nothing feels important).
You do not have to do it all.
This book is a permission slip to cut the noise, stop trying to people-please your way to burnout, and say YES only to what truly matters.
It helps you:
- Reclaim your time
- Get more done by doing less
- Focus on what moves the needle in your life
Warning: You might find yourself quitting things mid-read. And that’s a good thing.
7. Start Where You Are by Pema Chödrön
For when you’re overwhelmed, lost, and feeling a bit broken.
This is one of those books that doesn’t tell you to fix yourself.
Instead, it gently reminds you that where you are—right now—is a fine place to begin.
It’s based in Buddhist philosophy, but even if you’re not spiritual, the wisdom is grounding. Kind of like a warm cup of tea for your brain.
8. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
For when you feel creatively blocked (or like your fire went out).
This book isn’t just for artists or writers. It’s for anyone who’s lost touch with their voice, their spark, or their confidence.
It’s 12 weeks of powerful journaling and small creative “assignments” that slowly help you rediscover who you are, what excites you, and what’s next.
👉Spoiler: Morning Pages will change your life. (Even if you’re not a journaler.)
9. Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
For when you’re ready to stop spiraling and start taking action.
Marie’s writing is like a mix of tough love and cheerleader energy, and this book is her pep talk-slash-toolkit for literally any challenge.
Feeling stuck? Lost? Like you can’t possibly move forward? Marie says: everything is figureoutable. And then proves it.
It’s part mindset, part motivation, and part strategy.
If you need a kick in the pants and a high five at the same time, grab this one.
Final Thoughts
You might not need all nine books. Just pick the one that speaks to you right now.
📚 Are you self-sabotaging?
📚 Stuck in a creative rut?
📚 Ready to change your life but unsure where to start?
Whatever it is—you’re not alone, and you’re not broken.
You’re just in a transition. And transitions are messy, but they’re also powerful.
So grab one of these. Read it slowly. Take notes. Let it sit.
And give yourself permission to start messy.
You’re doing better than you think. 💛
