7 BOOKS That Expanded My Perspective on Life

(And Might Change Yours Too)

For those seasons when you’re craving a fresh way of seeing

Some of us collect memories, some collect recipes, and some, like me also quietly collect perspectives.

I’ve always been fascinated by how other people live. Their values. Their rhythms. Their definition of a “good life.”
Sometimes one sentence in a book can shift how you look at your own days – your work, your relationships, your health, your purpose.

Over the years, I’ve read many such books. But these seven have stayed with me. They softened rigid beliefs. They reminded me that there are many ways to live this one precious life.

Here are seven books you can pick up when you’re longing for clarity, meaning, or simply a new perspective.

1. I May Be Wrong – Björn Natthiko Lindeblad

Written by a Buddhist monk who spent years in silence, this book is full of profound, gentle truths.
It teaches humility, acceptance, and the wisdom of saying, “I may be wrong.”
A grounding read for noisy seasons of life.

Personal story:
I read this book slowly – one chapter a day.
There’s a moment he talks about letting go of certainty. It hit hard because I had been trying to control everything around me ; outcomes, timelines, people.
One day, during a walk, I whispered to myself, “I may be wrong.”
Those four words softened me. They made me listen more, react less. Even today, this phrase sits in the back of my mind, ready to nudge me toward humility.

2. Loving What Is – Byron Katie

A guide to questioning your thoughts , especially the ones that create pain.
The Work helps you examine what’s real and what’s a story your mind is repeating.
If you’re trying to break old patterns, this book gives you practical tools.

Personal story:
This book came into my life at a time when I was constantly overthinking. Small situations felt bigger because my mind kept adding “what ifs.”
One afternoon, I sat with a notebook and tried the four questions Byron Katie suggests.
It felt strange at first… but then I realised how many of my problems were simply stories I was holding onto.
I remember closing the notebook and feeling, for the first time in months – lighter. This book didn’t fix everything overnight, but it gave me a lifelong tool.

3. The Magic of Thinking Big - David J. Schwartz

If you ever feel stuck in smallness, this book reminds you that your mindset is your biggest leverage. It will help you expand what you believe is possible for your LIFE. Simple, timeless principles that push you toward bigger dreams, courage, and possibilities.

Personal story:
I read this when I was debating whether to start sharing my ideas online – especially about sustaiable wellness and holistic health.
A chapter about “acting with confidence” stayed with me.
That week, I filmed my first video on Youtube, wrote my first post, and hit publish.

Was I scared? Absolutely.
But I also felt a small spark – the kind you feel when you realise you’re stepping into a bigger version of yourself.
Looking back, that book indirectly shaped my online journey. And I have started reading it again. Its in my currently read.. list

4. The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

A classic for a reason.
This novel isn’t just a story, it’s a mirror.
Every time you read it, it reflects a different part of your journey: your intuition, your fears, your longing to follow your “Personal Legend.”

Personal story:
I read The Alchemist in my thirties and again in my forties.
Both times it felt like a conversation with a wiser version of myself.
The second reading was special: I was at a crossroads, wondering whether to pursue my coaching journey seriously or treat it as a side hobby.
The line “When you want something, all the universe conspires…” nudged me forward.
That was the month I launched my Topmate, started writing more intentionally, and felt aligned again.

5. The Mountain Is You – Brianna Wiest

A powerful book about self-sabotage, inner blocks, emotional patterns, and the mountains we create for ourselves.
It teaches that often, the greatest obstacle in our life is the unprocessed version of ourselves we’re still carrying.

Personal story:
There’s a chapter where Brianna talks about self-sabotage as a form of protection. That line shook me.
It made me realise that many of my “delays” were actually fears disguised as logic.
One morning, after reading a section on emotional responsibility, I sat down and wrote a list of things I was avoiding. The list was longer than I expected.
But that moment became a turning point – my first honest conversation with myself in years.
This book didn’t just expand my perspective; it helped me meet myself.

6. Practising Simplicity – Jodi Wilson

A quiet, tender book about slowing down and reclaiming your days.
Jodi writes about motherhood, home, rituals, and choosing less – not as sacrifice, but as liberation.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, this book feels like a deep exhale.

Personal story:
I read this book during a phase when my life felt like a never-ending list – work, home, cooking, kid, social obligations. One evening, I made myself a cup of tea and read a chapter about creating small rituals. That night I simplified my kitchen routine. I removed three unnecessary appliances, reorganized my pantry, and created a quiet corner for morning tea.
That simple act changed how my days felt – calmer, slower, grounded.

2. Wabi Sabi – Beth Kempton

An invitation to embrace imperfection, impermanence, and the beauty of the unfinished.
Beth blends Japanese philosophy with everyday living, making you rethink the pressure of “perfect” life goals.
A book for anyone learning to let go with grace.

Personal story:
There’s a line in this book about cracks being where the light enters. I didn’t realise how much I needed to hear that.
At the time, I was struggling with the feeling that I was “lagging behind” in life compared to others. Wabi Sabi reminded me that seasons change, people evolve, and life isn’t meant to look symmetrical.
One afternoon, while cleaning my kitchen, I found an old chipped ceramic bowl I had stopped using. Inspired by the book, I washed it and placed fresh fruit in it. Somehow, that imperfect bowl became a reminder to be kinder to myself.

Each of these books taught me something different-
to embrace simplicity,
to accept imperfection,
to hold my beliefs lightly,
to challenge painful thoughts,
to dream bigger,
to follow my inner compass,
and to stop standing in my own way.