Chessie King's 'Be Your Own Best Friend': Book Review

An honest review from a self-confessed 'self help' sceptic.

I HATE self help books. I want to like them, I want to be open minded and absorb good vibes, emerging as the female Dalai Lama by the end... but I just hate them.

It's probably down to my extremely stubborn nature that makes me so resistant. I just hate the idea that someone so removed from me thinks that they can solve all my problems. I also can't understand how supposed 'guru's' can claim to be so happy and carefree ALL THE TIME. It just doesn't work for me.

When my mum bought me this book I wasn't convinced.

I've been stuck in a cycle of self-deprecation recently- if you asked me to name 5 (or even one) thing that I like about myself, I would struggle as of late. It's not healthy or beneficial for anyone (especially not my boyfriend and mum who tend to bare the brunt of my moods) but it's so difficult to get out of it.

My mum is a self help guru, she will polish her crystals and manifest her hopes all to the tune of a positive affirmation hypnosis- so when she said she had bought me this book, I thought it was just the next attempt in a long line of efforts to convert me to the spiritual side.

I've followed Chessie King on Instagram for years, but admittedly I was dismissive of much of her content. I admired her and really appreciated her message of body positivity but I thought 'that will never be me' and carried on scrolling... but this book was different.

I cannot sit here and claim that this book has healed my soul and fixed all my issues- just this weekend I had an emotional breakdown.

I cannot sit here and claim that this book has given me a new lease of self-confidence- you will NOT see my tummy rolls and cellulite on the internet any time soon

Infact, I cannot claim that this book has transformed me in any significant way- but what I can say is that it's allowing me to see that I AM NORMAL and I AM ENOUGH.

The message of the book throughout is that it is ABSOLUTELY FINE to feel all different crazy irrational, unpredictable emotions throughout you life. Unlike other self- help books it doesn't try to claim that we all need to be super-positive-bare-footed-crystal-brandishing hippies who never feel anything other than 'enlightenment'. It's just saying that in order to be the best version of ourself, we first and foremost need to like ourselves, warts and all. I've really realised that I can't expect anyone else to see my full worth, if I can't even see it myself.

Rather than feeling like a lecture, Chessie's tone throughout the book comes across exactly as she describes herself 'like a big sister or best friend'. Her anecdotes about her own emotional insecurities and wobbles bring a real human authenticity to the book.

I have absolutely raced through the book, and really feel like it's given me a lot to reflect and work upon- without the pressure of having to stop crying, walk around naked and reach 'nirvana' by next week.

I have ABSOLUTELY loved it. So if you're looking for a real bit of easy reading encouragement to help you on your journey to self love then give this a go.

*Plus, it helps that it's full of pretty pictures and funky illustrations*