As we are almost approaching the new year, I wanted to end with some book recommendations.

Some of these books are more for personal development, but a good chunk are for fun and sharing what really interests me without fear of being judged.It’s why I changed my blog name in the first place; I wanted to post on things that inspired me.

A category I didn’t know I’d be [and really was already into] was Cottagecore.

The jist of Cottagecore just goes back to the roots of slowing down and enjoying nature. I mixed in a couple of Hygge books in this section as well, where “Hygge” is the Danish art of comfort and connection by creating a “cozy and warm” environment. 

Since I’ve been getting back to my “hippie crunchy” self, there are also a few nature-y books.

Here we go:

Cottagecore/ Hygge/ Nature

The Cottage Fairy Companion: A Cottagecore Guide to Slow Living, Connecting to Nature, and Becoming Enchanted Again by Paola Merrill 

The Book of Hygge: The Danish Art of Contentment, Comfort and Connection by Louisa Thomsen Brits Louisa Thomsen Brits 

The Little Book of Cottagecore: Traditional Skills for a Simpler Life by Emily Kent

Minimalism/ Life Books

Love People, Use Things by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus

Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life by Joshua Becker

A Field Guide to a Happy Life: 53 Brief Lessons for Living by Massimo Pigliucci

Sustainable Living:

Green Living: A Comprehensive Guide to a Happy and Sustainable Life by Green Matters

Simply Sustainable: Moving Toward Plastic-Free,  Low Waste Living by Lily Cameron 

Health and Wellness:

Mental Fitness: Maximizing Mood, Motivation, & Mental Wellness by Optimizing the Brain-Body-Biome by Shawn Talbot

Plants/ Nature

The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s Eye View of the World by Michael Pollen

The Illustrated Herbiary: Guidance and Rituals from 36 Bewitching Botanicals by Maia Toll

Everyone has different tastes in books but if I HAD to rank my personal top three you should read here they are:

First, while you may not become zero waste, the Simply Sustainable book gives you an eye opening perspective on how much we waste on a daily basis. I’ve definitely begun to adopt a few new sustainable habits and since then and updated my “Things I No Longer Buy” post.

I ditched the constant use of magic erasers (I still DO use here and there) and purchased a wooden handled brush, which works well for the tub too. I also started my own composting journey, which I have been wanting to, the book just gave me the push I needed to start.

Second on the list is the Mental Fitness book. It was quite eye opening in terms of how our brain and gut are very connected and what we can do to help that. This was important for me as someone who struggles with GERD, acid and bile reflux and has many food allergies.

I’ve implented a few things here and there from the book (especially going back to eating most vegetarian) and my stomach issues have been quite non-existing since then.

And Finally, The Cottage Fairy Companion. I listened to this book twice and am currently finishing reading the hard copy. Through my highschool years and on, I always felt “different.” I mean looking back, we have the undiagnosed ADHD that probably added to that. I was called grandma since I was about eleven years old since I dressed very conservatively and loved long dresses.

I enjoyed reading (R.L Stine and Harry Potter were my jam) and always loved to escape in magical or science-fiction based stories. I love how at 23 Paola is confident and embraces her differences where I can honestly say it wasn’t until I was 34 years old that I decided to not fear so much being judge for my likes, tastes and beliefs. She inspires me to get back to being me; enjoying nature and simple living.

There you have it, all the books I read in 2022 and my top three recommendations.

Some honorable mentions are the Minimalists, Love People, Use Things and A Field Guide to a Happy Life by Massimo Pigliucci.

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This will also be the last post of 2022.

I hope everyone has been enjoying their holiday season and has a wonderful 2023. While I expected 2022 to be MY YEAR, it ended up being “my year,” just not in the way I expected it at all.

From my osteoarthritis getting works, to getting [re]diagnosed with ADHD, stopping personal training (and cutting the classes I teach) to now a tear in my left hip… it’s been quite a lot not only physically, but mentally.

But as I have been saying all year, one day at a time my friends.-Sabs