As a single mom of two teenage boys, finding time to read might sound like a luxury you can’t afford. Between managing the chaos of family life, battling those tough mental health days, and trying to keep your finances on track (trust me, I’ve been there), personal development often falls to the bottom of our priority list.
But here’s what I’ve learned on my own journey: reading has been one of my most powerful tools for transformation. During those quiet moments after the boys are in bed, or even during my lunch break at work, these books have been like having a personal mentor in my pocket. They’ve helped me build better habits, manage my depression, and slowly but surely get my financial life together.
I’m not sharing these books as someone who has it all figured out – far from it! I’m sharing them as someone who’s still very much in the trenches with you, learning and growing every day. But I have started to turn my life around thanks to some of these books. Here are 10 books that have genuinely made a difference in my life, and I believe they could help you too.
1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
One of the most influential books on habit formation, Atomic Habits teaches you how small changes can lead to remarkable results. As a single mom, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but this book provides practical strategies for building habits that will make your life easier and more productive. By focusing on tiny habits, you can start building momentum toward achieving your goals without feeling burnt out.
This book was a game-changer for me during one of my lowest points with depression. When everything felt overwhelming, Clear’s concept of tiny 1% improvements helped me build back my life one small habit at a time. I started with just making my bed each morning, and slowly built up from there. As a single mom, the idea that you don’t have to transform your entire life overnight was exactly what I needed to hear.
2. Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal
Single moms often juggle work, family, and self-care, which can leave you feeling drained and unproductive. Feel Good Productivity offers a fresh approach to productivity that emphasizes mental well-being and sustainable results. It provides actionable tips on managing time, reducing stress, and working smarter—not harder—so you can feel good about what you accomplish every day.
You know those days when you’re running on empty, trying to juggle work deadlines while helping with homework? This book completely changed how I think about productivity. Instead of pushing myself to exhaustion, I learned to work with my energy levels. Now, I batch my most important tasks for when the boys are at school, and I’ve stopped feeling guilty about taking breaks when I need them.
Feel Good Productivity was such an eye-opener for me, especially when Abdaal introduced the “Wheel of Life” concept. You know how we sometimes feel like we’re killing it in one area (maybe work) but completely dropping the ball in others? This tool helped me get real about where I was spending my energy. It’s basically a visual way to check in with different parts of your life – everything from your relationships to your health to your personal growth. Trust me, as someone who struggled with balance while managing depression and single motherhood, this approach was a game-changer. Instead of beating myself up for not doing “enough,” it helped me see which areas actually needed my attention most and make changes that felt doable.
It helped so much that I wrote a whole post about how I use the Wheel of Life to set meaningful goals as a single mom, and actually achieve them. You can read that here How to Set Goals as a Single Mom and Actually Achieve Them
3. The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington
This book introduces a goal-setting framework that helps you achieve more in 12 weeks than others do in 12 months. By breaking down your year into shorter cycles, The 12 Week Year helps you focus on the actions that will bring the most results in a short amount of time. For busy single moms, this method helps you stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed by long-term goals.
The 12 Week Year was my secret weapon for finally getting this blog off the ground. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the huge goal of “starting a blog,” I broke it down into 12-week sprints. The pressure of a shorter deadline actually helped me stop overthinking and start doing.
As someone who used to feel perpetually behind on my goals, this book was a revelation. Breaking down my goals into 12-week chunks made everything feel more manageable. I used this method to finally start my blog and start building my emergency savings fund. It’s perfect for us single moms who need to see progress to stay motivated. He emphasizes the importance of taking action and getting started. Thanks to this book, I was finally able to do just that.
4. I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
Financial stress is one of the top struggles for single moms, but I Will Teach You to Be Rich makes financial freedom approachable. Ramit Sethi offers practical advice on saving, investing, and managing your money in a way that aligns with your goals. This book teaches you how to build a rich life—both financially and emotionally—without feeling restricted by your circumstances.
Let me be real with you – money stress kept me up at night for years. This book helped me face my finances without shame. Sethi’s approach isn’t about extreme budgeting (because let’s be honest, we need some fun money too!). It’s about making your money work for you. I started with automating my bills and setting up a small investment account and a High-Yield Savings account. This has made such a difference in my peace of mind. I am not out of debt yet, but I am getting closer and now have a plan thanks to Ramit Sethi.
If you have Netflix, Ramit also has a show called How to Get Rich. You should check it out!
If you want to set up a savings account, I highly recommend Ally Bank. It is completely online and has an APY of 3.8%!! This is what I recently opened. If you use my Referral Link, you can get $100 when you open an account and set recurring monthly payments! You will receive the money after your 3rd monthly automatic deposit. and I will get a $50 bonus. (Who’s getting the better deal here? lol) https://ally.com/referral?code=9J2P2V9H3R
5. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Single motherhood is tough, and sometimes you may doubt yourself. You Are a Badass is an empowering book that reminds you of your own strength and potential. Through motivational stories and practical advice, Jen Sincero encourages you to believe in your abilities and take bold steps toward creating the life you want. This book will give you the confidence boost you need to chase your dreams.
On days when I felt like I was failing at everything (we all have those days, right?), this book was like a pep talk from a friend. Sincero’s words helped me realize that being a single mom hasn’t limited me – it’s made me stronger. This is the book I turn to when I need to remember my worth beyond being “just” a mom. I love listening to it on Audible for a “pick me up” on down days.
6. The Cure for Burnout by Dr. Emily and Amelia Nagoski
As a single mom, burnout is a real challenge. The Cure for Burnout is a must-read if you’re feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. The authors, two experts in the field, offer a research-based approach to understanding burnout and strategies for recovery. This book helps you acknowledge your limits and take steps to protect your well-being so that you can thrive without sacrificing your health.
This book found me when I was running on fumes, trying to be supermom while dealing with depression. It helped me understand why I was feeling so exhausted and showed me practical ways to recover. Fellow single mamas, if you’re feeling depleted, this book is like a permission slip to prioritize your wellbeing.
This is another book that I have on Audible. When I am feeling overwhelmed, I do not feel like reading. But I can listen while I do laundry and dishes or while I am driving.
7. Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Leadership is not just for managers—it’s a crucial skill for single moms too. In Dare to Lead, Brené Brown explores how vulnerability, courage, and connection can help you lead with authenticity. Whether you’re leading your family or navigating work, this book will inspire you to lead with confidence and embrace your imperfections along the way.
Being a single mom is basically a crash course in leadership, isn’t it? Brown’s insights about vulnerability and courage hit home for me. This book helped me be a better parent by showing me how to lead with authenticity, whether I’m handling teen drama or making tough family decisions.
8. The Single Mom’s Guide to Happiness: Practical Advice for Self-Esteem, Stress Relief, and Soul Searching by Anita R. Oles
As a single mom, it’s easy to feel like happiness is out of reach, but The Single Mom’s Guide to Happiness offers a roadmap to reclaiming your joy. Anita R. Oles provides practical advice on improving self-esteem, managing stress, and engaging in soul-searching exercises to better understand your needs. The book encourages single moms to prioritize their well-being and offers actionable strategies for cultivating happiness in the midst of life’s challenges. By nurturing yourself emotionally and mentally, you can create a positive, fulfilling environment for both you and your children.
Let’s be honest – there were days when happiness felt like something other people got to have, you know? When you’re juggling depression, financial stress, and raising kids solo, “finding your joy” can sound like a bad joke. That’s why I connected so deeply with this book. Oles gets it – she understands that happiness isn’t just about positive thinking when you’re in the thick of single mom life. What I love is that she gives you actual strategies you can use, even on your hardest days. During my lowest points with depression, her self-esteem exercises helped me remember that I was more than my struggles. The stress management techniques? I still use them when I’m feeling overwhelmed (hello, teenage drama!). This isn’t one of those “just think happy thoughts” books – it’s real talk about finding moments of joy even when life is messy. And trust me, if I could find those moments during my darkest times, you can too.
9. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* by Mark Manson
As a single mom, it’s easy to feel like you have to give your all to everyone and everything. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* teaches you how to prioritize your energy and focus on what truly matters. It helps you let go of the societal pressures to be perfect and embrace the reality that you can’t please everyone—but you can live authentically and with intention.
This book gave me permission to stop trying to be the “perfect” mom (spoiler alert: there’s no such thing!). It helped me focus on what truly matters – raising kind, resilient kids – and let go of the rest. Sometimes we need someone to tell us it’s okay to care less about what others think. As someone who struggles with Depression and Anxiety while being a single mom, this was a very helpful tip.
10. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Creativity is a powerful tool for personal growth and healing. Big Magic invites you to embrace your creative side and explore the potential within you. Whether you’re interested in writing, painting, or any other form of expression, this book encourages you to overcome fear and self-doubt and take bold creative risks. It’s an inspiring read for any mom looking to tap into her creative energy.
When depression made everything feel gray, this book reminded me that creativity isn’t a luxury – it’s a lifeline. It reminded me of a quote I once heard: “The suppression of expression creates depression, therefore the cure for depression is expression”. This means that letting your creativity out helps with depression. Which I have found to be true. I always feel better after I write something. This is what inspired me to start this blog and share my story. If you’re feeling stuck or lost, Gilbert’s words about embracing creativity might be exactly what you need.
Conclusion
These 10 books are packed with actionable advice, empowering messages, and life-changing insights that will help you grow personally, financially, and emotionally. Take small steps toward change by picking up one of these books and making a commitment to your personal growth.
Look, I know how it feels when you’re drowning in responsibilities and someone suggests adding “reading” to your plate. But these books aren’t just more items on your to-do list – they’re lifelines. They’ve been there for me during late-night anxiety sessions, during lunch breaks when I needed inspiration, and during those moments when I questioned if I was doing enough for my boys.
Start with just one book that speaks to where you are right now. Maybe you’re struggling with burnout (grab The Cure for Burnout), or perhaps you’re ready to take control of your finances (I Will Teach You to Be Rich was my personal financial wake-up call). Whatever you choose, remember that investing in yourself isn’t selfish – it’s necessary. Because when we grow and heal, our kids benefit too.
And hey, if you’re reading this during another sleepless night, wondering if things will ever get easier – I see you, mama. We’re in this together, and small steps forward are still steps forward. You’ve got this, and I’m right here in the trenches with you.
What’s your go-to book for tough times? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear what’s helping you on your journey!
