Writing and reading save my life on a daily basis, and I can’t help but share some of my favorites with you. These writers, bloggers, researchers, and creatives all write from the heart and discover things I simply refuse to live without. I recommend them because these folks are honest in their works, act with integrity, and call me to a higher way of living.
My Favorite Books
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
Take This Bread by Sara Miles
Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans
The Gifts of Imperfection by Dr. Brene Brown
Bittersweet by Shauna Nietquist
Carry on Warrior: Thoughts on Living Life Unarmed by Glennon Melton
Breathing Under Water by Richard Rohr
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
My Favorite Blogs
Dr. Brene Brown has changed millions of lives with her groundbreaking work on vulnerability and shame resilience. Her work will challenge and inspire you. Read The Gifts of Imperfection first as that’s a great introduction to Brown’s work and then dive into the rest of her books.
Dr. Kristin Neff’s seminal work on the benefits of a self-compassion practice will help ease worries and cultivate kindness towards yourself. Dr. Neff is a clinical psychologist at the University of Texas at Austin, and her guided meditations on self-compassion are pure gold. I highly recommend utilizing her meditations before bed if you struggle with insomnia.
Richard Rohr is a Catholic priest and mystic who works in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Center for Action and Contemplation. His writings center on experiencing the love of God in the midst of life and working towards radical action to alleviate suffering, especially to the socially marginalized. Admired by the religious and non-religious, Rohr’s work is shaping spiritual thought and action to create a more just and loving world. Visit his website for free meditations and more.
Center for Action and Contemplation
Dr. Marisa Franco is a clinical psychologist who studies the power and importance of friendship. What makes her work relevant is her focus, that of studying adult platonic friendship and how these relationships enrich our lives. Her monthly newsletter offers fun and informative tips on exploring how to make our friends a priority.
Glennon Melton is a recovering alcoholic/drug addict/bulimic who serves the world through her writing, filled with wit and pathos, and her non-profit agency Together Rising. A tour de force, Glennon speaks on living with mental illness and the need for honest, ethical, and socially just living in our world.
Mental Health Resources
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
(Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash)