Personal Growth Tools
A growing collection of the books, tools, and insights that helped me through life’s biggest transitions. If you’re seeking clarity, healing, or direction, I hope something here resonates.
The resources that helped me start over—curated for anyone ready to grow through uncertainty and create a more intentional life.
Renaissance Roundup
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly love and have personally found helpful.
Books
Purpose & Direction
Timeless strategies for building meaningful relationships and communicating with confidence. Link here.
Unlock the path to long-term success by embracing deep focus, practice, and purpose. Link here.
An inspiring fable about following your dreams and trusting the journey of self-discovery. Link here.
A compelling call to take your 20s seriously and shape your future with intention. Link here.
Human Connection & Healing
A relationship workbook designed to spark meaningful conversations and build deeper intimacy. Link here.
A powerful roadmap for overcoming fear and creating lasting, emotionally mature relationships. Link here.
A beautifully mapped guide to human emotions and the language of connection. Link here.
A groundbreaking look at how trauma shapes the body and mind—and how healing begins. Link here.
Podcasts
Tips, Tools, & Practices
Self-Reflection
JOURNALING
I journaled prolifically during this time—it became one of my most essential tools for expressing, reflecting, and making sense of where I was. It gave me space to be honest, to untangle messy thoughts, and to track my emotional growth along the way. Sometimes I wrote in a physical journal, other times I poured everything into the Notes app on my phone—whatever helped me show up fully and truthfully. For more on the benefits of journaling, see here.
CONNECT WITH YOURSELF
What helps you feel most grounded and in tune with who you are? For some, it’s movement—like exercise or dance. For others, it’s creativity, music, art, mindfulness, or meditation. For me, it’s writing, journaling, and going on regular walks. Simple, but powerful—these practices give me space to process, channel my energy, and reconnect with myself when everything else feels loud.
VALUES LIST
This was a big one for me. I had never taken the time to seriously consider what my core values were—what truly mattered to me in life, relationships, and a future partner. Getting clear on these gave me a sense of direction and helped me stop compromising on things that were non-negotiable. I highly recommend sitting down with yourself and having an honest conversation: What do I value most? What am I willing to compromise on—and what am I not? Write it down. Revisit it. And most importantly, stick to it.
Support Systems
COMMUNITY
Having friends and family you can lean on is invaluable during seasons of transition (and life in general). And if that kind of support system isn’t currently in place for you, I encourage you to seek it out—whatever that might look like. Be open to forming new friendships, and find community in spaces that align with your values and season of life. You don’t have to navigate transformation alone.
THERAPY
I’ve turned to therapy at various points in my life, and each time, it’s helped me grow in self-awareness and equipped me with tools to process trauma, navigate emotional challenges, and recognize patterns holding me back. Before embarking on this solo venture, I scheduled a few sessions to help me ground myself amid the big life changes—and to make sure I was moving in the right direction with intention and clarity.
MENTORSHIP
One of the most impactful things you can do during a season of growth or transition is to learn from someone who’s a few steps ahead of you. A mentor doesn’t have to hold a formal title—it could be a trusted friend, colleague, therapist, or simply someone whose values and path resonate with you. I found myself turning to friends whose relationships and careers I genuinely admired. Look for people who embody the kind of life or mindset you’re striving toward. Ask questions, stay curious, and don’t underestimate the power of learning through someone else’s lived experience.
Intentional Living
GOAL-SETTING
What do you want—and what’s it all for? Setting goals gives you something to anchor to, especially during seasons of uncertainty. It offers clarity on what to say yes or no to and helps you stay focused when the path feels foggy. At one point, my only goal was to survive. But over time, that evolved into something deeper: to find stability, create a home of my own, build steady work, and grow in my relationship with myself.
SPACE
Give yourself the space to be with yourself—without distractions, without noise. Take time to reflect on what you really want in life: your career, relationships, interests, and personal growth. It’s easy to stay busy, to avoid the discomfort of stillness—but clarity often comes in the quiet. The more space you allow, the more honest your answers become.
RESEARCH
I’ve shared a selection of books and podcasts that were especially helpful during my own journey, and I hope they offer something meaningful for you too. That said, I encourage you to do your own digging—explore the areas of your life where you feel stuck, curious, or ready to grow. The more you seek out knowledge and insight, the more empowered you’ll feel to make intentional, lasting change.
Happy Renaissancing, Friends!