A list of useful books to read now that caregiving is over. These books are aimed at helping you put the pieces of your life back together.
The Best Best Books To Read After Caregiving Is Over
Because so many different aspects of our lives are negatively impacted while caregiving, I compiled a list of books that I found most helpful after my caregiving journey ended and I felt ready to move on with my life.
It’s my hope that you will find these resources useful and be able to implement the suggestions in many of the books I’ve included here.
If you have any favorites, I’d love to hear what they are. I enjoy reading and I’m always looking for new reading material to greater improve my life and happiness.
Happy Reading!
Life Skills
Why I Love This Book
So many nonfiction books are full of fluff, too textbook-y (and boring) or just plain too long.
Not this book.
Somehow, James Clear has packed so much into this book, such as:
– Innovative, novel concepts with the
– Proven science of what’s behind them with
– Practical steps for super easy implementation and
– Memorable, entertaining stories that bring the ideas to life.
If this book doesn’t change your life in some significant way, like it did mine, I don’t know what will. Totally worth the read if you’re ready to embrace some new habits.
Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg
Why I Love This Book
This is one of those books you read, and re-read, and then re-read again because there is SO much good stuff packed in it. I love the way that Duhigg, gives abundant examples of what it means to have a habit and how it has been done successfully by many, many people. The book is scientifically sound from a psychological point of view, as well as an inspirational & psychological point of view. He blends the science and the practical aspects of the two together.
If you want to get better at a task, a language, a skill, or other important traits, this is a book you’ll love. From one eager learner to another (you know it if you are), you will love this book.
As you work on applying new skills post caregiving this book will be the one you reach for over and over again. You’ll be glad you did!
Finances
Why I Love This Book
The bible of all financial debt management books out there. This is a must-read for anyone suffering from debt. Although I don’t always agree 100% with Dave, I learned a lot about becoming a better steward of my money by reading his book.
If your finances got decimated by caregiving, Dave can show you a way out of the chaos and into a place of financial freedom.
And don’t forget to get the companion guide: The Total Money Makeover Workbook
Why I Love This Book
This is like therapy wrapped up between two covers. Jammed packed with useful information to help you overcome underearning, low or no savings, yo-yo debting, overspending, and chronic debt. Filled with lots of tools and strategies to help you change your financial circumstances and regain peace of mind.
Just like Dave Ramsy’s book, Karen McCall gives concrete examples and a proven system of paying off debt by saving your way out of it. A great strategy that will ensure you stop using credit cards.
One of my all-time favorites!
Wellness
Why I Love This Book
Living authentically can be a challenge in a society that seems to favor superficiality. But Brene Brown lays out the road to accepting ourselves and knowing we are enough even when society wants to dictate otherwise.
It will help you move from “what will people think” to “I’m fine the way I am.”
And, now more than ever as you begin to transition from caregiver to caring for yourself, this book is the perfect tool to help you see your worth.
If you buy no other book on this list – please consider this one. You won’t regret it.
Why I Love This Book
When I learned Debbie Ford had passed away a few years ago, it saddened me to the core. To think this brilliant writer would never publish another book was unimaginable to me because her books taught me some of my greatest lessons.
In Why Good People Do Bad Things, Debbie Ford reveals the illusions of good and bad, right and wrong, real and unreal. She gets to the root of the problem plaguing the world today, the effects of toxic shame, and the inability of people to make peace with who they are – both light and dark.
If you find yourself self-sabotaging (you know things have to change but you are your own worst enemy) in any way, you’ll want to read this book now that caregiving is over. It will show you the way to becoming whole again.
Relationships
Why I Loved This Book
This book was such an amazing eye-opener for me. The advice and the selected quotes are so good, and the selected examples so relatable that even a secular humanist will gain immense benefits.
One of the most audacious, and powerful observations in this book is that for overly compliant people like myself, feeling guilt and experiencing pushback is a GOOD thing, as it means I’m starting to set limits and take care of my own needs (and not that I’m a rotten, selfish person as other’s and my own judgmental conscious might try to convince me).
The other important concept in this book is the concept that “hurting” someone is different from “harming” them, and that by being compliant and codependent I am harming others as much as myself, all for the sake of avoiding causing short-term “hurt.”
These concepts may seem obvious, or objectionable on their face, but for anyone who constantly feels powerless, this book is a lifesaver.
Why I Loved This Book
Conversations make up a significant portion of many of our days. Minor or major clashes can lead to issues at work and home, and may ultimately contribute to significant problems in our marriages, jobs, and friendships. Wishing for positive outcomes or for other people to be more reasonable seldom works.
The book offers constructive tips on how to navigate through those encounters. The authors tell us that “…human interactions are complex. Trouble arises from the intersection of styles, behaviors, assumptions, and interests, not because one person is all good and the other all bad.” In a potentially volatile conversation, it is normal to hear what we think is being said without fully understanding the other person, which can lead to defensiveness and blame. At other times, we believe so strongly that what we are saying makes sense that we fail to recognize that what the other person is saying makes sense, too.
Recognize that these conversations are not always easy, they also address those stumbling blocks with multiple examples. In the end, Stone/Patton/Heen can’t prepare us for every possibility to come along, but if we perform the preparations outlined in the book, we can’t help but continue to improve and become more adept at using the ideas they have shared.
If you would like to improve any of your work or personal relationships that have suffered, this is a fantastic book to read now that caregiving has ended.
Do I have even more suggestions? Heck yes, I’m an avid reader and enjoy any kind of book that’s going to improve my life in some way. But I’d love to hear your favorite books in any of the categories. Let me know, ok?
To recap; here are the top six books to read after caregiving is over so you can begin to reclaim your life:
1. Atomic Habits – James Clear
2. Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg
3. The Total Money Makeover – Dave Ramsey
4. Financial Recovery – Karen McCall
5.
6. When Good People Do Bad Things – Debbie Ford
7. Boundaries – Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
8. Difficult Conversations – How To Discuss What Matters Most – Stone, Pattern & Keen
Other worthwhile reads:
- How To Prioritize Self Care After Caregiving Is Over
- How To Budget If Caregiving Ruined You Financially
- Picking Up The Pieces After Caregiving – Why You Need New Habits
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