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9 Books To Read If You're Making A Big Change — Or Want To
Big changes often come with big anxieties about the future. Whether you’re moving to a new city, switching careers, or deciding to expand your family, these major life choices always come with a certain amount of trepidation. Thankfully, there are many great books to help with life changes that can help you tackle these major life changes and face them head-on with the right mindset.
You can find solace in books whether you’re into self-help, fictional reads, or inspiring memoirs. The writers share their wisdom on facing change with confidence and aplomb, and you can learn from their experiences. Even if your circumstances seem very different, sometimes just getting into the right headspace can help you prepare for big life changes.
So if it feels like your entire world is about to undergo a major change, take shelter in one of these books for a few hours to help get your bearings straight. Even just reading about someone else’s experiences with major change may help you feel less alone in your own circumstances, and hopefully impart some insight that you can apply to your own changes. To help see you through the next big chapter of your own life, here are books that address major shifts and how to cope with them.
1'Daring Greatly'
Brené Brown's Daring Greatly is a research-backed book that examines the paradoxical power of vulnerability. If you're feeling some trepidation about your life's changes, this book will explain why that's perfectly normal, and even helpful.
2'Switch'
Switch by Chip Heath is all about making successful adjustments that better your life. It explains how to work with your brain's systems to make the most of these changes, and provides profiles of people who have used the techniques to successfully lose weight, enforce new management techniques, or even address major societal problems.
3'Don't Give Up, Don't Give In'
Don't Give Up, Don't Give In by Louis Zamperini and David Rensin chronicles Zamperini's life as a U.S. Olympic runner turned World War II bombardier. Zamperini faced major change with the right attitude, later founding a camp for deserving youth and working as an inspirational speaker.
4'Resilience From The Heart'
Greg Braden's Resilience from the Heart offers a scientific and spiritual approach to coping with major change.
5'The Paying Guests'
Sarah Waters' The Paying Guests is the story of a widow and her daughter in 1920s London who must adapt to major changes in their financial standing, as well as their worldview. Once they are forced to take in some "paying guests," their whole lives are turned upside down.
6'Fifty Acres and A Poodle'
A lighthearted story about moving and starting over, Fifty Acres and A Poodle by Jeanne Marie Laskas details the author's journey from urban life to a farm in Pennsylvania. It's a great story for anyone who has moved out of their familiar elements.
7'Wild'
Wild by Cheryl Strayed chronicles the author's trek along the Pacific Crest Trail. While processing her mother's death and a failed marriage, she encounters adventures and healing on the trail.
8'Brooklyn'
Colm Tobin's Brooklyn profiles Eilis Lacey's journey from a small town in Ireland to Brooklyn. Just as she is learning to navigate 1950s America, Eilis must cope with a tragedy back in her home country.
9'Saint Mazie'
Saint Mazie, a novel by Jami Attenberg, follows Mazie Phillips' journey from Jazz Age fun-lover to caretaker of New York City's homeless population. With her adventurous spirit, Mazie approaches her life changes with courage and wit.
Images: quattrostagioni / Flickr
