Most of you may read that heading and think, “F&*k yeah! I want to be a badass!” while the rest of you are scoffing at my ever-so unladylike language. Let me now apologize for both of the assumptions. The foremost apology is because I am hoping to redefine what “badass” means, and the latter is because you can be a lady and say whatever you want. So now that we’ve crossed both of those distracting judgments off the list, allow me to share the books that have fed my soul for many years. To me, a badass is one who is strong of spirit, brave and fearless, self-aware yet selfless, and always striving to be the best version of themselves. If that sounds like you, or the “you” that you would like to be, then add one of these gems to your spring reading list. The self-work is always worth it.
- The Motivation Manifesto
- Four Agreements
- The Little Prince
- Who Moved My Cheese?
- The Tao of Pooh
Annoyed by your self-doubt and distractions? The noise that keeps you from reaching your potential? Okay, so yeah. Me too. Even on my most Sasha Fierce days there’s a mean little voice in there going, “Hmmm…I’m not sure if you can, or should, or if you’re good enough to.” Time to tell that little thief of joy to get outta your head. This book is a must-have for waking up your inner badass, and being the very best version of yourself.
My mom gave me a copy of this book when I was 13 years old, and to this day, I constantly circle back to the Don Miguel Ruiz classic for the simplest ways to simplify your life. Don’t Make Assumptions gets me every time.
I have long been obsessed with this book, and specifically with The Little Fox. Even if I don’t revisit the entire existential text (masked as a children’s book), the chapter of The Little Fox unearths a truth in me that is always worth the check-in. And if my vouching for it doesn’t give it the badass quality you’re looking for, the film remake is due to be released soon with a star-studded cast. So there ya go, fancy pants.
A professor at Northwestern University had this book on our list of required reading for an Industrial Engineering class I took my junior year of college. It was a seemingly odd choice, but at the end of the day, the takeaway was a self-empowerment and motivational bent that I apply to decision making in my life to this very day. It’s an invaluable quick read.
Aspects of Taoism told through the characters of “Winnie the Pooh” – I mean, does it get better? This is a speed read that you can easily whip through in a day, but trust me when I say that you will revisit it time and time again for its refreshing perspective on how to move in the world.
Images via: Redshoes, Instagram, Janemount, Sorify