This Is What I’ve Learned From Spending Over 500 Hours On Self-Help Books, and Content
And no, it is not to wake up at 5 am
It was the summer of 2019 when I discovered the genre called self-help, and ever since then, it has become a huge part of my life.
I’ve read many books by various authors from Brianna Wiest to Louise L. Hay and watched so many hours of content by YouTubers such as Einzelgänger to Andrew Kirby.
According to my calculations, I’ve spent at least 4 hours each week reading books of this genre, as well as investing my time watching and listening to related content.
So in 2,5 years, it adds up to 520 hours.
That’s why today, I’d like to share with you what I have learned from this experience, and I hope you’ll find it helpful.
There are 4 main lessons, and these are:
1-A good self-help book can change your world, but it can be hard to find
2-There is always something new you can learn
3-Ignorance is not bliss
4-Our life is a reflection of our mind
1-A good self-help book can change your world, but it can be hard to find
Although reading books by this genre have taught me many life-changing perspectives, there were also some books that I couldn't truly connect with.
That’s why I believe that a good self-help book has the capacity to change your world, but it can be hard to find that you feel connected to.
Some of the books that have made an impact on my life were:
- “Courage to be Disliked” by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi
- “The Power of Your Subconscious Mind” by Joseph Murphy
- “The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself” by Michael A. Singer
- “101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think” by Brianna Wiest
2-There is always something new you can learn
When you spent 3 years invested in content from the same genre, it can be easy to forget that you still have a lot to discover, but the thing about self-development is that it is very closely related to people’s personal experiences.
That’s why the variety is very rich, and there is always something to be learned from each individual, as it is in the real world.
Yes, some books may speak to you while others don’t, but among the ones that pique your interest, there is always something new you can learn.
Sometimes it may not even be the whole book that teaches something but you may read a simple sentence that makes a great impact on you. So due to its influence, all that time spent on reading that book can be worth it.
“Learn continually — there’s always “one more thing” to learn!”
— Steve Jobs
3-Ignorance is not bliss
When we are unaware of the way our own psychology works, our life can easily become a chaotic mess, and this can lead to us feeling confused about why we act the way we do, or why we get triggered by certain events.
Before I discovered self-help, I felt stuck in a life where I didn’t have the right tools or knowledge to lead my mind, and instead, it was leading me in the directions I did not wish to be led to.
But then I learned about philosophies such as Stoicism, and many other methods such as mindfulness that have helped me to understand myself and discover why my mind worked the way it did.
So by investing our time in useful self-help content, we can truly transform, and change our lives.
“Ignorance is not bliss. Bliss is knowing the full meaning of what you have been given.”
— David Levithan
4-Our life is a reflection of our mind
As Marcus Aurelius says “ Our life is what our thoughts make it.”, and so “the mind” is what most self-development content is focused around.
That’s why, from organizing one’s thoughts by setting up a routine, or exercising, to going deep within and facing one’s shadows, these are all methods to improve one’s state of mind.
We see life through the lens of our minds, and thus to keep that lens clean is essential to lead a qualified life.
That’s why I recommend to everyone to give self-help content a try with an open mind. Maybe the first book you pick up may not pique your interest, but the next one may contain ideas and perspectives that might change your life.
“If you can change your mind, you can change your life.”
― William James
Final thoughts
Today I’ve shared with you the lessons that I have learned from spending over 500 hours on self-help books, and content.
These were:
1-A good self-help book can change your world, but it can be hard to find
2-There is always something new you can learn
3-Ignorance is not bliss
4-Our life is a reflection of our mind
I hope you’ve found this analysis of mine beneficial.
Thank you for reading.
-E.K
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