Self-development workbooks and guided journals are great, affordable resources to help you cultivate inner peace, become better at dealing with life’s challenges, and identify what you truly want so you can experience more joy in life.

They’ve been an enormous part of my own self-development journey. Whenever I’ve put the time into them, it’s always been worth it.

WHY YOU SHOULD INCORPORATE WORKBOOKS & GUIDED JOURNALS INTO YOUR SELF-DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY

I was a fan of self-development books for a while before I picked up my first workbook and I didn’t realize how much of a difference it would actually make. I was reluctant to do journal prompts and exercises for a long time but once I did, I noticed the lessons I was learning on my self-development journey begin to stick much faster and experienced more “a-ha” moments than ever before.

They help you identify specific ways to apply what you’ve learned to your life, as well as explore your inner world so you can understand yourself more deeply. It helps you take what you’ve learned and really make it a part of you.

HOW TO USE SELF-DEVELOPMENT WORKBOOKS & GUIDED JOURNALS

I recommend keeping a mixture of self-development books and workbooks in your routine so you’re always learning (and re-learning) concepts from the books, then taking the next step to internalize those lessons and apply them to your own life with the workbooks/guided journals. Some books come with their own companions, so if you connect with a particular book or author, check to see if they offer something like that.

Think of workbooks and guided journals as some of the deepest forms of self-care: nurturing your mind and soul. To make any changes or improvements in your life, you first have to revolutionize your inner world.

Whether you’re new to them or looking for your next one, here are 11 self-development workbooks and guided journals that will help you step into the most empowered version of yourself and create a life you truly love.

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Self-Development Workbooks & Guided Journals

Get Untamed: The Journal by Glennon Doyle

The book Untamed by Glennon Doyle is a literal masterpiece. I think it’s a must-read for every woman, especially if there’s any part of you that feels stifled or like you’re holding back on who you are and what you really want. She created this companion journal, Get Untamed, to put the revelations you have while reading the book into practice in your life.

You Are a Badass Every Day by Jen Sincero

Jen Sincero’s books You Are a Badass and You Are a Badass at Making Money are both excellent — the former helps you tackle self-doubt and the latter helps you break through blocks you have around money. The third book in the series You Are a Badass Every Day has “exercises, reflections, and cues” to keep you on track as you apply everything you learned from the first two books to see real change in your life.

The Daily Bliss and Blissful Living Journal by Ashlina Kaposta

I’ve followed Ashlina Kaposta’s blog for years (it’s one of my favorites for personal development and inspiring lifestyle content) and love all the books she’s put out. Two of them are guided journals that will help you cultivate a more “blissful” experience for your life. The Daily Bliss will help you transform your inner world with self-love and self-worth, while Blissful Living Journal will help you transform your environment to be a reflection of the truest version of yourself and support your inner peace.

The Desire Map by Danielle Laporte

If you’re struggling to figure out what you truly want in life and what your “dream life” even looks like, The Desire Map by Danielle Laporte is a fantastic resource I’ve recommended many, many times to people. It’s both a book and a workbook that takes you on a journey of discovering first how you want to feel and then shows you how to use that as a guiding light when figuring out what experiences you want to pursue in life. Danielle’s approach is both practical and inspiring.

The Artist’s Way Workbook by Julia Cameron

Julia Cameron is a genius when it comes to helping people tap into their creativity, whether you’re an artist who’s struggling with creative blocks and lack of inspiration or someone who desires to bring some form of creativity into your life. The Artist’s Way Workbook is a companion to her incredible book, The Artist’s Way. Highly recommend using them both together for the full experience.

Style Your Mind by Cara Alwill

Cara Alwill is a master life coach who’s helped thousands of women take control of their lives by revamping their mindset and stepping into their power. Her workbook Style Your Mind is like having a private coaching session with her on your own time that you can return to whenever you need to.

Burn After Writing by Sharon Jones

Burn After Writing is meant to help you unplug from the noise of social media and tune in to your own inner world through fun prompts that are designed for self-exploration. It also comes in a variety of covers to choose from depending on your individual tastes and mood.

52 Lists for Calm by Moorea Seal

The guided journal 52 Lists for Calm is great for practicing mindfulness to reduce stress and anxiety in your daily life. There are more journals in the series with other focuses, including happiness and bravery.

The Untethered Soul Guided Journal: Practices to Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer

If you’re craving an experience of true liberation, the book The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer is an invaluable resource. Its companion The Untethered Soul Guided Journal takes your journey to the next level so you can implement what you’ve learned from the book about how your mind works, go deeper into letting go of what doesn’t serve you, and continue to empower your inner truth.

Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice by Michelle Obama

Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice is another companion journal to an amazing book, Becoming by Michelle Obama. The journal poses thought-provoking questions based on the content in the book to help you dig deep and get to know yourself more fully. In the introduction, author Michelle Obama writes, “I hope you’ll use this journal to write down your experiences, thoughts, and feelings, in all their imperfections, and without judgment. We don’t have to remember everything. But everything we remember has value.”