My goal in 2022 is to read at least 12 books, reading at least one a month. Below are my favorites SO FAR. I’ll continue to add to this as I read a new book. If there is a book from my 2022 list that I read and didn’t like, I’m going to leave it out. =)
1. Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
To start off my year, I read Digital Minimalism. If you’ve read my post about completing a Contentment Challenge, I thought this book would fit perfectly with my search for a more simplified and content life.
This book goes over the history of social media, and how it was created to be addicting. The tech companies are finding ways to keep you engaged on social media for longer, giving you a dopamine hit now and again so you stay on the app. Its no wonder mental health issues are on the rise in adolescence.
Newport lays out a path to take a 30 day break from technology devices. You get to pick the parameters as to what that will look like, depending on your job, etc. After the 30 days is up, you only let back into your life technology that supports something you deeply value, and how are you going to maximize its value and minimize its harm. You must also decided WHEN and HOW you will use it. For example, will you only get on Instagram once per week to keep up with photos of friends and family?
This book also talks about the importance of solitude, connecting with your community and the importance of making time for leisure.
After reading this book, I decided to take an intentional 30 days off social media. I think social media can be a great tool, but for me, it gets addicting very quickly. (update- I completed the 30 days off social media and do NOT feel ready to get back on it. More on this later).
2. The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian
I chose this book because I’m not the best at intentionally praying for my husband, and needed some help. This book is great if you are married and want to learn how to pray for your husband, and his needs. Men and women are definitely different, needing different things out of marriage and life.
I enjoyed how this book is divided into sections short enough to read one, each day. It starts with a story, then a prayer and ends with bible versus.
3. A Simplified Life by Emily Ley
If you are new to simplifying life, this book is GREAT. For me, I’ve been on this journey for a few years now, so a lot of the ideas in this book I’ve already been implementing.
Ley breaks down the book into 10 chapters, each chapter focusing on simplifying different parts of your life. For example there is a chapter on simplifying your space (home), style, meals, schedule, finances, technology, motherhood, etc. She gives tactile ways to simplify each area of life.
I loved the simplicity of this book. It was very easy to read and at the end of each chapter, it gave “simplicity challenges” that you could do immediately to make a difference in your life. Each chapter also provided space to write your ideas and answer some questions (I appreciated this space to write!).
4. Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Although this is classified as a “business” book, and I am a stay-at-home mama, I still found it very useful.
This book focuses on finding YOUR essential things in life, and eliminating everything else. “Less but better” is the approach to the book. McKeown explains that essentialism is “learning how to do less but better so you can achieve the highest possible return on every precious moment in your life.”
Takeaways:
- Play is important. It has “the power to improve personal health, relationships, education and innovation.” Often times we feel the most alive and the best memories are made during times of play. (examples: travel, hiking, golfing, drawing, playing with kids)
- (Learning to say no) Separate the decision from the relationship– when people ask us to do something, we often confuse the request with our relationship with them. We forget that denying the request is NOT the same thing as denying the person.
- “Done is better than perfect.”
- “Fewer things, done better.”
- When we start small and reward progress, we end up achieving more than when we set big goals.
- Develop a routine of doing your hardest task of the day first thing in the morning.
- When faced with so many tasks and obligations that you cant figure out which to tackle first, stop and breathe. Get present in the moment and ask yourself, “what is the MOST important thing THIS VERY SECOND?” If you aren’t sure, make a list of everything needing your attention and cross off anything that is not important RIGHT NOW. (Brain dump, prioritize),
- Happiness- “pay attention throughout the day for moments that bring you happiness. Write them down and think about what triggered in that moment. Try to re-create it.”
Stay tuned for more books as I read them! =)
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