What we’re reading…a journey into Self-Discovery

When building the newest collection of reading and journal material over the past few months, it dawned on me — all offer an opportunity to discover more about yourself, think critically and gain inspiration into all of life’s ebbs and flows. During a time where we are all still living in uncertainty, we have gained a new form of resilience and have adapted in all aspects of our lives — both individually and collectively.

Now, let’s be real for a second. Getting through just one book while in thick of motherhood is a triumph in itself. I fully admit I haven’t finished a book in almost 7 years (that was when I had my first child). I’m not proud of it, but it’s also important to not be so hard on myself. Instead, I’ve enjoyed consuming meaningful content in smaller doses — holding onto what speaks to me in this season of my life as I embark on this journey of motherhood and self-growth. This book selection allow us to do just that. Consume what you can, when you can. Even small doses allow for expansion and inspiration. Oh and also, remember, audiobooks, when they are available are a Mama’s best friend ;)

Each of these books/journals offer an opportunity to be inspired, discover more about yourself — guiding you down a path of personal success.

Happy reading Mamas!

~ Casey, Founder of Thryve

The Juggling Mother - Coming Undone in the Age of Anxiety

by Dr. Amanda Watson (@spindrwatson)

“The Juggling Mother explores this figure of contemporary mothering in media representations: a typically white, middle-class woman on the verge of coming undone because of her unwieldy slate of labours. Mothers who frantically juggle paid and unpaid work demands do not threaten the way labour is organized. The Juggling Mother is not about work-life balance. It is about how the expectation to manage competing labour demands impossibly well is pinned to women’s desire for political visibility and social inclusion.”

Who is permitted to ‘come undone’? In this superbly written book, Amanda Watson frames public, modern motherhood as only available to particular, privileged mothers – but also documents the costs to those same mothers. May Friedman, author of Mommyblogs and the Changing Face of Motherhood

Rooted: fifty-two weeks of intention

*by Ka’ala (@alohakaala***)

“This guided journal was created for you to self-explore and self-express. Journaling has always been an outlet for my emotions when facing challenges and celebrating joys throughout my life. Many of the prompts in this book have encouraged me to lean in and surface some of my deepest thoughts.”

— Ka’ala

The Gifts of Imperfection

By Brene Brown

”Now more than ever, we all need to cultivate feelings of self-worth, as well as acceptance and love for ourselves. In a world where insults, criticisms, and fears are spread too generously alongside messages of unrealistic beauty, attainment, and expectation, we look for ways to “dig deep” and find truth and gratitude in our lives. A new way forward means we can’t hold on too tightly to our own self-defeating thoughts or the displaced pain in our world. Instead, we can embrace the imperfection.”

Becoming

by Michele Obama

“An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States. In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires us to do the same.”

Untamed

by Glennon Doyle

“This is how you find yourself. There is a voice of longing inside each woman. We strive so mightily to be good: good partners, daughters, mothers, employees, and friends. We hope all this striving will make us feel alive. Instead, it leaves us feeling weary, stuck, overwhelmed, and underwhelmed. We look at our lives and wonder: Wasn’t it all supposed to be more beautiful than this? We quickly silence that question, telling ourselves to be grateful, hiding our discontent—even from ourselves.”

Home Body

by Rupi Kaur

“Rupi Kaur constantly embraces growth, and in home body, she walks readers through a reflective and intimate journey visiting the past, the present, and the potential of the self. home body is a collection of raw, honest conversations with oneself – reminding readers to fill up on love, acceptance, community, family, and embrace change. Illustrated by the author, themes of nature and nurture, light and dark, rest here.”

Which have had the biggest impact on your life?

Share your faves in the comments below!

xo, Casey, Founder of Thryve

Thryve's 2021 Book Picks for Self-Discovery