The Book I Keep Coming Back To (Because It's Basically Therapy)

Everyone’s path to growth and inner clarity looks a little different. It’s shaped by who we are, where we’ve been, and what we’ve learned along the way. There’s no single “right” route…and honestly, that’s what makes the journey meaningful.

That said, when I come across something that deeply resonates or genuinely helps me, I feel a quiet pull to share it. Not in a “this will fix your life” kind of way, but more like offering a flashlight to someone who might also be walking through the dark. If it helped me, maybe it’ll help you too.

One of those things? A book called 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest. I’ve returned to this book more times than I can count. It’s thoughtful, reflective, and basically therapy in written form. Not the surface-level, “just think positive!” type of self-help. It’s deeper. More grounded. Less about advice, and more about inviting you to look inward with curiosity.

I’ve gifted this book to at least four friends now, because each time I read it, I think, “Oh, this part might be exactly what they need right now.” And it’s not just one essay that stands out…they all touch on something real. Mindfulness. Emotional intelligence. Purpose. Self-awareness. The kind of things we think we understand until something prompts us to see them from a new angle.

Wiest’s writing explores how our thoughts, habits, and emotional responses quietly shape the lives we’re living often without us realizing it. She doesn’t tell you what to think. She gives you space to think for yourself. Here’s to finding words that meet you where you are, and maybe even help you see a little further ahead.