Is Self-Help BS?

There's a bit of stigma around “self-help” stuff. Books in particular, because that's usually where it begins. I have heard people speak negatively about the idea of self-help in general.

It always left me wondering, why would anyone have a negative affiliation or believe that it’s a waste of time?

Are these people that have tried it, read a book, tried to help themselves in someway and had a bad experience? Or, did these people never pick up a self-help book in their life? I’ve got a gut feeling its the second option.

I know that not everyone is seeking “help” or is interested in the self-help approach, but what about those that are? What about the millions of people that have been impacted in a positive way using that approach? I don’t think its fair for it to have a negative stigma attached to it.

For me, you can find me in the self-help/spirituality section of the book store.

There was no specific reason that lead me to these types of books or topics, I just knew I wanted to better myself in anyway I could, that if I could continue to gather golden nuggets on life and how to navigate it, why wouldn’t I?

I’ve always been a wonderer, seeking answers regarding my purpose in my my life. At my happiest times and at my saddest times. It’s doesn’t really have anything to do with me having a “problem” I’m trying to fix, but more for the fact that if there is something new I can learn that will contribute to my life journey, why wouldn’t I want that insight?

There’s no better lesson than one offered up by someone that experienced it first hand. Or when you read a book and you feel as though the author is speaking specifically about you because it sounds so accurate to your life, emotions and/or experiences.

Or there are books I’ve read that have literally changed my life. When reading the context, I feel it deep down in my soul and I know it to be true.

I’ve come to understand a lot about life through self-help books and particular authors. I am grateful for to have access to these books, authors, and in this day in age, we even get to follow them on social media and stay up to date with any new insight they have.

We need people sharing their stories, it’s all a form of “self-help”. Even though not everyone needs to be a best selling author to have their experience and their story have a positive impact.

“Self-help” -who else is going to help or come save you. We are 100% responsible for our lives and self-help is something we should all be striving for.

I think as a society, people have become too trusting in many things, like health care, mental health, education, jobs, security, as though the government is going to save them in some way. Or as though someone owes them something in the first place.

Knowledge is power. There is no denying that the more we self-educate the better. Using other peoples experiences to help us understand more.

Back to those that have a negative association with it, I’m wondering why?

For those that may answer that question with, “because it just a bunch of BS and other’s options” isn’t enough to convince me, sorry.

I love hearing other peoples opinions. We need others opinions more than I think we realize. What else would ever challenge our perception?

I believe the “Self-Help” industry will skyrocket, when people wake up and finally realize that nobody is coming to save them, and they have to figure this whole life thing out on their own, you’re going to be begging to hear the “opinions” of others and be open to whatever techniques that have been tried and tested.

My growing book shelf is my alter. I believe taking in as much information as well can, especially around particular subjects, allows us to form a better more stable opinion on our own.

Many of our own beliefs are beliefs of others, maybe we heard it from a family member, the news, the government, we just take their word for it and never look any further.

I think its a skill we could all work on strengthening, to form our own opinions.

But that takes work and not everyone is interested in spending the time and gathering the facts. It’s easier to pick a side, based on very insignificant details.

I spend a lot of time reading. It’s one of my favortlue hobbies. What really astonishes me the most, is how most of the books I read, do not contradict the other. There are always different variations and ways that authors choose to describe things. One that most common ones I come across is, God vs Universe vs Spirit vs Love, etc. To me, they all mean the same, it doesn’t change the message. For the most part, the message is the same.

“Seek first to understand and then to be understood.”

“Self-help” and spirituality are really well merged when it comes to this subject. I remember when I first began getting into “self-Help”, I was not spiritual, just curious.

I was a skeptic like the rest. I wanted to believe in something, I just didn’t know what. It took a lot of time, reading, learning, and experiencing my own life with another mindset that lead me to some of my spiritual beliefs.

I’ve learned and decided to believe in what felt right and good on a soul level. I almost read with my intuition, and often my BS radar is pretty sharp too. I’ve learned to feel and utilize my intuition.

I will share with you though, I honestly believe I was pulled in the direction of self-help, I didn’t know it then, but I know it now, that it was going to play a huge role in my life.

Being a mindset coach and teaching a feeling-based approach to life, is self-help for those that choose to it. I would not have believed I would be working in this space, a few years back, but I know deep down its my calling.

Do not underestimate the power of self-help and spirituality. We all want to live rich lives in all areas of life, it’s just a matter of figuring it out.

And my first piece of advice would be, pick up a self-help book and read it.

Share with me, your opinions!