It’s been a year since my counsellor and psychologist said I was displaying symptoms of borderline personality disorder. I knew way before that something was wrong with how I was dealing with life. Having cut my wrists at age 8, and failed multiple other suicide attempts since then to adulthood, I knew there was a problem.
I started reading more in 2015, and I learned bits and pieces of emotional and mental healing enough to know that I needed more. When I met my boyfriend and learned to care so much for someone else for the first time in my life, I was determined to heal and become a better person. Along the way, I’ve picked up these books, and my life took a turn for good.
Here is a list of 4 books that helped me heal mentally and emotionally. A similar list by AGladDiary inspires this post.
Grace Revolution – I recommend this first because it was through this book that I understood grace and how Jesus’ love for me (personally; as if I’m the only person in the world) would be the foundation of how I see myself and other people. It was after reading this book that my eyes and heart opened up to receive unconditional love for the first time. This love would empower me for the many trials that came after.
The Missing Commandment: Love Yourself – After being established in Christ’s love for me, this book showed me, biblically how I ought to love myself. I know that’s still taboo for a lot of religious circles, but it is time to wake up.
Will I Ever Be Good Enough? Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers – I have a past. And this book is a life-changer. It was through this book that I understood why I turned out like this, and what I can do to come out victorious. Although I do not wholly agree with the recovery methods suggested by the author, they were all helpful in understanding what went wrong and how to move forward.
Boundaries – This classic taught me my rights and freedom as an individual. I learned what healthy love is and that guilt-led obligation is not. If there was a handbook on living, and life is all about relationships, this would be it. The concepts in this book are biblical, but I kid you not, they are likely taboo in the Asian culture. Go figure.
While I don’t, in any way, suggest that these books replace proper therapy or psychological consultation, they have served their purpose in my life, and I could not have come this far, without these lovely authors’ experiences and guidance.
