Women, Wolves, Brains and Bodies
Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved to read.
That passion has followed me into adulthood. There is not much better than being so absorbed in a book that I lose track of time. I can’t wait to see how it it ends, and at the same time, I never want to know because that means it’s over!
While I love a good murder mystery or detective story, sometimes I read for self knowledge. This has been a wonderful way for me to learn more about myself and not feel so alone at times when I did not understand what was happening in my world. There’s something really comforting for me about seeing my experience clearly spelled out in black and white.
So today, I want to share two books with you that have really inspired me and made a huge impact on me. Drumroll please.. ( and yes, I am totally making that trilling noise with my tongue right now). Here they are!
This first book was recommended to me by one of my mentors. I think she saw something in me that she knew would deeply resonate and boy did it ever! I read Women Who Run With the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes several years ago initially, and have come back to it over and over again. This work reunites me with my inner wild woman. The beautiful primal, feral. intuitive, ferocious, visceral, wise, grounded creature who lives inside me all the time. Culture has me forget her, or downplay her, or believe that we are separate. When I need to be reminded of who I really am, I flip this book open to literally any page and within minutes, I am returning home to my true self. If you are a woman who feels deeply, senses there is more to you than meets the eye, and loves archetypal stories, I can not suggest this book enough. It’s one of my absolute favorites!
My other must have book is Bessel Van Der Kolk’s The Body Keeps The Score. This is hands down the BEST explanation I have ever read for how trauma impacts our bodies, and how we can use the wisdom of our own brains and nervous systems to repair these fractures. I learned so much about how my own trauma showed up in my body. The thing I love(d) most about this book is how validated I felt after reading it. For so long, I had just assumed that I wasn’t healing ( enough) because of some flaw in me. I cried tears of relief when I finally started to understand that my body was doing exactly what it was supposed to do given my history, There was nothing wrong with me. Not only that, but he offered a way out in this book. He shows you how to work with the inherent intelligence of your being. Do yourself a favor and invest in this book if you have a history of trauma at all.
These books have been incredibly important in my journey. However, they have not been the only resources I have needed to heal. A few years back, I made a video about why self books are great, but are not the be all end all when it comes to growth. You can watch that here if you are interested.
https://candacefolden.com/problem-self-help-books/
I’d love to know some of your favorite reads over the years! Pop them in the comments or send me a message!
Much love,
Candace