My love for self-help books started back when I was a teenager. I’ll never forget when I picked up a book by Anita Naik called “Is your self-esteem in tatters?” (You can find it here). Reading that book was like a lightbulb moment for me. Three big things hit me:

1. My self-esteem was seriously in trouble, like, big time.
2. I realized there were tons of books to help people like me who were feeling down and looking to improve.
3. Oh boy, did people have strong opinions about self-help books! I got teased for reading that one.

So, I learned pretty early on that a lot of folks really despise self-help books. But as I got older, I became more comfortable with being myself and standing up for what I liked. That’s why I want to share a few simple comebacks for anyone who criticizes your choice in self-help reading.

First, just say, “This book isn’t meant for you.” Remind them that the world is full of different people, and not every author, coach, or company writes with them in mind (that’s why we have all kinds of books, including self-help ones!).

Or if you’re feeling a bit sassy, you can be more direct and say, “This book isn’t about you.” I mean, why bend over backward to explain why you’re into a book to someone who’s just being judgmental, right?

But hey, sometimes people have legitimate reasons for not liking self-help books (For example, you can read this article by Anirban Kar). Maybe they’ve had a bad experience or seen someone they care about following lousy advice. You can take a gentler approach and say: “I get that not everyone is into these books or has reasons to be disappointed at them, but they really help me, and I hope you can understand that.”

And here’s a radical thought: You don’t have to explain yourself to anyone! If you catch a side-eye from a bookstore clerk while snagging a copy of “The 5 AM Club,” remember they might be a night owl or just haven’t found a self-help book that clicks with them. There could be a self-help book out there for everyone, even those who claim to hate them! 😄

So, spill the beans! What’s the book that rocked your world and helped you grow? Share it in the comments, and I’ll do the same with some of the books that have been game-changers for me (whether they’re self-help or not).

About the Author:
I’m Astrid, a biologist who made a career shift to become a virtual assistant and an accountability partner. My journey from the world of science to customer service and freelancing has given me a unique perspective on life, and I sometimes share it here on WordPress.

Do you need a capable and reliable accountability partner? Contact me on Fiverr or LinkedIn.