Self-help books get a bad rap for being cheesy, sappy or even downright nauseating. Not anymore. Pick up any (or all) of these titles, and you'll be pleasantly surprised by the refreshingly modern approach these authors take to guiding you through the challenges of life. If you're interested in making improvements to your mental state but don't want any of the BS, try these three books below.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
As you can tell by the title, author Mark Manson doesn't censor or sugarcoat things. Instead of the rainbows and sunshine and constant positivity approach, Manson takes a realistic look at life and asks us to get to know our limitations and accept them. His book is a refreshing dose of reality for a generation that is too often caught up in being perfect and extraordinary.
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life ... And Maybe the World
When Admiral William H. McRaven gave a commencement speech at the University of Texas at Austin in 2014, he shared the 10 principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome not only in his naval career but also throughout his life. This book explains how anyone can use these principles to make a difference in their lives—and maybe even in the world.
Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life
Much like Mark Manson's The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Gary John Bishop takes a no-nonsense approach to self-empowerment. The book leads you through a series of seven assertions: I am willing. I am wired to win. I got this. I embrace the uncertainty. I am not my thoughts; I am what I do. I am relentless. I expect nothing and accept everything.