33 Empowering Self-Help Books That Will Change Every Woman's Life

Based on experience from her years as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Julie Smith is here to offer tons of advice for maintaining and fortifying your mental health, whether you're looking to manage anxiety, deal with criticism, cope with depression, build self-confidence, find motivation, or learn to forgive yourself.

In her follow-up to Quiet, writer and lecturer Susan Cain offers the perfect argument against toxic positivity. In her latest, she explores why things that are bitter and sweet can coexist and why grief isn't a roadblock, but instead a tool that can be used to unlock creativity and connection.

Tunde Oyeneyin rose to fame as a beloved Peloton instructor, but her inspiring book isn't just about life on the bike. Instead, she takes readers through her personal life and demonstrates how she used her hardships, setbacks, and flaws to find her voice and discover her passion.

In Find Your Unicorn Space, the bestselling author of Fair Play helps readers pursue their passions, set goals, and channel their most creative selves — all while struggling to make space for quiet in our tireless hustle culture. As Rodsky reminds us, creativity is not optional. It’s essential.

Who would have thought that therapists are just like us? Written by a therapist who also sees a therapist, this heartfelt book offers insight into Lori Gottlieb's world as both a clinician and patient, reminding us just how alike we all are — and just how important it is to speak about those shared experiences.

Healthy boundaries are essential in healthy relationships... and so is knowing how to set them. Licensed counselor and relationship expert Nedra Glover Tawwab's guide offers advice for expressing your needs in relationships without apology, which can help you avoid codependency, power struggles, and other common issues.

Written by Oprah Winfrey with renowned brain and trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry, this book delves into the long-lasting effects of trauma, providing insight into behavioral patterns that you may not understand or even notice in yourself. For anyone who's experienced adversity, it's a must-read.

Society places endless expectations on women concerning how to look, how to act, what we should and shouldn’t do with our bodies… the list goes on and on. Glennon Doyle’s self-help/memoir hybrid is all about breaking out of those boxes and freeing herself from what she thinks she should be, and it's sure to inspire you, too.

According to Martha Beck, integrity is the cure for psychological suffering, and this book attempts to prove that. Inspired by The Divine Comedy, Beck uses Dante's classic hero's journey as a metaphor for how we can all strengthen our personal integrity and, in turn, figure out what we actually want out of life.

Developing a a daily writing practice isn't just a helpful mindfulness exercise — it can actually help you take ownership of your journey. In her book, Allison Fallon explores the way in which five to 20 minutes of daily writing has helped her identify ruts, work through anxiety and trauma, and find fresh motivation.

Written by former Teen Vogue editor-in-chief and TV personality Elaine Welteroth, this book follows Welteroth's professional journey as she explains how — as someone who was often the only Black woman in the room — she learned to claim her place in the world and silence the voices that told her that she wasn't enough.

Pretty much any woman could benefit from a dose of body positivity, and Katie Sturino's laugh-out-loud funny book delivers that and more. In it, the influencer and body acceptance advocate explains how she learned to embrace her body after 30 years spent hating it, and she provides practical advice and empowering affirmations for letting go of negative self-image.

This self-help book isn't about a quick fix — it's about totally retraining your brain to think more positively and creatively after experiencing a setback. Through advice and anecdotes, entrepreneur Marie Forleo teaches her readers how to face disappointment and tackle roadblocks head-on so that you can achieve your goals.

Actress and playwright Tina Lifford worked hard to develop her emotional strength... and she wants to share that hard-won insight with others. Through actionable advice, Lifford provides the foundation you need to start building your emotional health so that you may see yourself in the best possible light and perceive what's possible.

Ever wonder where those relentlessly upbeat people find their motivation? In this practical guide to being your best self, magazine editor Meaghan B Murphy reveals how she manages to avoid succumbing to the stress of daily life through cultivating gratitude and adjusting her attitude.

Written by YouTuber and former talk show host Lilly Singh, How to Be a Bawse reveals her many secrets to success, which include (but are not limited to) treating others with kindness, carving out time for creativity, staying strong in the face of temptation, and constantly taking on new challenges.

This book from clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole LePera offers her guide to help readers create a more authentic and vibrant life filled with joy. Drawing from layered scientific research and healing approaches, this book can help with unpacking childhood trauma and patterns of codependency, as well as breaking out of self-sabotaging behaviors.

You might know her as a vegan chef and TV personality, but before Tabitha Brown found her way to such success, she was an aspiring actress suffering with undiagnosed chronic autoimmune pain — and afraid she wouldn’t live to be 40. She made it through by listening to what her soul and body really needed, and she wants to show you the way, too.

This best-selling book is for women who want to move on from painful memories and experiences. Based on faith and Bible teachings, this book can help you identify what’s holding you back so you can forgive and embrace hope and peace to live your best life ahead.

Even the most confident women experience self-doubt every now and then. But worrying about what other people think of you gets in the way of your own happiness. Go ahead and consider this book a perfect reminder that... wait for it... you are, indeed, a badass.