Liv’s Recommended Reading list is for those at the beginning or even continuing their ‘healthy relationships’ journey.
All of us have to start somewhere right? I block off at least 30 minutes a day to learning, reading and/or studying FOR ME.
The more we read and learn from the right books (and of course the right people), the more we heal from the trauma that lives within ALL of our own lives.
Here I focus on Relationships literature mainly because that is my speciality, but you could use this rule with anything you wish to learn.
Livia ✨
BOOK TITLE: Mirror Work
AUTHOR Louise Hay
WHO’S IT FOR: Healing your relationship with yourself
As a relationship coach, I have found Louise Hay's book "Mirror Work: 21 Days to Heal Your Life" to be a powerful tool for helping clients work through issues related to self-esteem, self-acceptance, and personal growth. The book is based on the idea that the way we see ourselves in the mirror is a reflection of our inner thoughts and beliefs, and that by changing those thoughts and beliefs, we can transform our lives.
Hay's mirror work involves looking into a mirror and speaking positive affirmations to oneself, such as "I love and accept myself just as I am" or "I am worthy of love and respect." This practice can be difficult at first for clients who struggle with negative self-talk or have deeply ingrained self-doubt, but with time and repetition, it can be a powerful tool for shifting one's mindset and building self-confidence.
One of the things I appreciate about Hay's approach is that it emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and self-love. Many clients come to therapy with a harsh inner critic that can be debilitating and difficult to overcome, but by practicing mirror work and other self-affirming techniques, they can begin to cultivate a more loving and accepting relationship with themselves.
Overall, I highly recommend "Mirror Work" to anyone who is looking to improve their self-esteem and self-image. It is a simple but powerful tool that can have a profound impact on one's mental health and overall wellbeing.
BOOK TITLE: Codependent No more
AUTHOR Melody Beattie
ABOUT How to stop controlling others and start caring for yourself
WHO’S IT FOR: Healing your relationships with others
As a coach and therapist, I often recommend the book "Co-dependent No More" by Melody Beattie to clients struggling with codependency issues. Beattie's book provides a clear understanding of what codependency is and how it develops, as well as practical tools for healing and breaking the patterns of codependent behavior.
She also emphasizes the importance of self-care and setting healthy boundaries in relationships. I appreciate how Beattie normalizes the struggles that codependent individuals face and offers a compassionate and non-judgmental approach to healing.
"Co-dependent No More" is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to break free from codependent patterns and cultivate healthy relationships.
BOOK TITLE: The Genie in your Genes
AUTHOR Dawson Church
WHO’S IT FOR For those who want to know more science about the phenomenon EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) also called ‘Tapping’.
"The Genie in Your Genes" by Dawson Church is an incredibly insightful and informative book that explores the science behind the mind-body connection and the ways in which our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs can influence our genetic expression.
Church does an excellent job of breaking down complex scientific concepts into easy-to-understand language, making this book accessible to readers of all backgrounds. He provides numerous examples of scientific studies that demonstrate how our thoughts and emotions can affect our health and wellbeing, and he offers practical tools and techniques for harnessing the power of the mind to improve our lives.
One of the key takeaways from this book is the idea that we have much more control over our genetic expression than we may have previously thought. By engaging in practices like meditation, visualization, and positive affirmations, we can actually "turn on" or "turn off" certain genes that are associated with health or disease.
Overall, I highly recommend "The Genie in Your Genes" to anyone who is interested in learning more about the mind-body connection and the ways in which our thoughts and emotions can affect our health. This book is a fascinating and thought-provoking read that has the potential to transform the way we think about health and healing.
BOOK TITLE: ‘How to sleep alone in a King Size Bed’
AUTHOR Theo Pauline Nestor -
ABOUT Life after divorce or separation and coming to terms with it
WHO’S IT FOR: Single moms who are going or who have gone through separation or divorce
As a single mother who has gone through the experience of divorce and separation, I highly recommend reading the book "How to Sleep Alone in a King-Size Bed" by Theo Pauline Nestor. The author beautifully and candidly describes her own journey of coming to terms with her divorce and finding her way as a single mother.
One of the things I appreciated about this book was how honest Nestor was about the ups and downs of post-divorce life. She doesn't sugarcoat anything, and as a result, her book is relatable and validating for anyone who has gone through a similar experience. She talks about the grief, the loneliness, and the financial struggles that often accompany divorce, as well as the moments of joy, growth, and empowerment that can emerge from it.
One of the main themes of the book is the idea of creating a new identity for oneself as a single person. Nestor talks about the importance of rediscovering one's own interests and passions, and of developing a new sense of self that is not tied to the identity of being part of a couple. As a single mother, this message really resonated with me, as it can be easy to lose sight of one's own needs and desires when so much of one's focus is on caring for one's children.
Another theme of the book is the importance of building a support system. Nestor talks about the different people in her life who helped her through her divorce, from her therapist to her friends to her children. She also emphasizes the importance of reaching out for help when needed, whether that means asking for financial assistance or simply asking a friend to come over and keep you company.
Overall, I found "How to Sleep Alone in a King-Size Bed" to be an empowering and inspiring book for anyone who has gone through divorce or separation. It offers practical advice and guidance for navigating the many challenges of post-divorce life, while also reminding readers that there is hope for a fulfilling and joyful future as a single person. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is going through a similar experience.
BOOK TITLE: Psychopath free
AUTHOR: Jackson MacKenzie
ABOUT: ‘Navigating toxic relationships and your recovery from them - Recovery from Narcissists, Sociopaths and Psychopaths’
WHO’S IT FOR: Toxic relationship support and insight
I have encountered many individuals who have been in relationships with psychopaths and narcissists, and I often recommend the book "Psychopath Free" by Jackson MacKenzie as a valuable resource for those seeking to recover from these toxic relationships.
MacKenzie offers a unique perspective, drawing from his own personal experiences of being in a relationship with a psychopath. He skillfully weaves together research on psychopathy with personal anecdotes, providing a powerful message of hope and healing for those who have been victimized by these individuals.
In "Psychopath Free," MacKenzie provides a step-by-step guide for recovering from the trauma of a psychopathic relationship. He offers practical tools and strategies for identifying and healing from the abuse, as well as insights into the psychology of psychopaths and how to protect oneself from future harm.
Overall, "Psychopath Free" is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to recover from the trauma of a psychopathic relationship, and I highly recommend it to my clients as a first step on their journey to understanding what they are dealing with and healing from.