Around about 2011, I had started to write my first blogs, having come out of an extremely busy phase of my life career-wise, I had found myself in the rare position of having time on my hands. Rather than researching work-based topics, instead I could search for more personal interests. I wrote a couple of blogs, one was about Crafts and Design and the other was about healing yourself. Enabling me to start on my own healing journey.
I recently found some typed notes on books and authors many from the 1970s and 80s, that I felt made a real impact on me and on re-reading them, realized that these thoughts are as relevant today as it was then. (And I hope as helpful) Over the next few months I will start posting these.
The blog was titled 101 Self- Help Books. I had read, if not quite 101, certainly a large number of self-help books, a few were recommended or given to me and some had been stumbled across. I have always loved reading and as a child books were my refuge from the world. Even my grown-up self, finds that a bad day can be made so much better by escaping into the pages of a good book.
In the late 90s I had been living in London and had started to become interested in self-help and spiritual issues. I was fortunate to meet some fascinating and inspiring people, many of whom were healers and this further ignited my interest. I attended events and lectures and worked with a wonderful aromatherapist who taught me so much about using essential oils and herbs. (At this point, I would like to stress that I am not a trained practitioner or healer in any capacity, but just someone who seeks to live a healthier, more balanced life.)
15 years ago, for many people the image conjured up of Self-Help was a bit self-absorbed and New Age, to some it still is! But the truth is, that there is nothing selfish about looking after ourselves. We all need to work, often very hard and for long hours at time. Mobile devices mean we are contactable at all hours of the day with access to work documents so the working day for many extends into personal time. If anything, we are even more out of balance.
We can never totally remove stress or problems from our life’s or find enough hours in the day to achieve all our tasks and tick everything off our to- do- lists. But if we can find a small piece of calm and tranquillity, this can make a huge difference.
Today there’s a huge amount of free information available in most towns and cities public libraries have put together selections of books that can help with health issues supporting anxiety and mental health.
Reading for health has actually become a thing!
Created Curated by Sara Brown 