Inspiration

The people and books that have changed my life...

Photo by Magda Ehlers

I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the people and books that have inspired, challenged, and guided me on my path to living a more impactful and fulfilling life. I’m sharing this list in the hope some of it may resonate and help you on your path. The people on this list have chosen to do life differently and their stories continue to ignite a passion in me. It’s not a definitive list but it is a living document that I will continue to add to and update. I encourage you to cultivate your own list if you’ve not already got one. And please share in the comments the people and books that have inspired you and the impact they’ve had.

Michael Singer – The Surrender Experiment

Michael ‘Mickey’ Singer has been a huge inspiration to me. As a young man he had several deep spiritual experiences and wanted to retreat from society to spend as much time as possible meditating. He found however, that the quiet life he was chasing, was not the life he was getting, and so instead of resisting what life was presenting him with, he decided if his reason for resisting was purely a personal preference then he would just surrender to whatever was happening. The Surrender Experiment is a true tale about the magic that can happen when we get out our own way and it reinforces the sense I have that there’s something beyond our comprehension at play in life. I find myself re-reading it when times are challenging, as it helps me gain perspective. I’ve bought so many copies of this book because I always end up giving them away to friends, saying ‘you have to read this!’ If you want to experience the magic for yourself, you can find a copy of it here*. There are also loads of fantastic free resources on Michael's Website.

Key Takeway: there is power in letting go of the way we want things to be or think they should be and just surrendering to the reality of what is actually happening.

Eva Zu Beck

In her own words Eva tells stories for brave souls who love adventure. Since walking away from a corporate career six years ago, a move she says was scary on many levels, she has spent her time visiting remote countries and landscapes. She has explored many countries that are challenging for a solo female traveller. She also travels to remote and desolate landscapes that push her to her limits physically and mentally. Eva’s German Shepherd Vilk is a huge part of her adventures, and she has shared the challenges of being on the road with a strong-willed, high-energy dog.

‘I am a true adventurer at heart, constantly seeking to feel alive in everything I do. Deep down, I believe that each of us carries that same adventurous spirit within.’ Eva Zu Beck

I love how she continually pushes and challenges herself and is not afraid to be vulnerable, sharing the highs and lows of her journey online for the world to see. She’s creating her own authentic life and she inspires me to do the same. You can read more about Eva on her website, or see which of her YouTube videos you feel drawn to. She’s also recently started a new channel, Eva Unplugged, where she address and challenges societal expectations, with subjects like choosing to be childless, not shaving as woman and taking a vow of celibacy.

Key Takeaway: Find ways to live life on your own terms and don’t be scared to be vulnerable.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah is a radical Australian journalist who is not afraid to take on the big issues facing society today. Her career, in her own words, has been chaotic; she’s got a Guinness World Record, has been an ambassador to the Dalai Lama, she’s written books, hosted TV shows in Australia and she got permission from Mary Oliver to call her latest book this one wild and precious life. She’s a force of nature, incredibly inspiring, not afraid to embrace her vulnerability and is openly attempting to make a difference in our world. She has a unique way of getting right into the heart of a story, down to the nitty gritty and looking at it from all perspectives, inviting people with differing points of view to join the conversation.

Sarah’s writing feels like a guiding light in a chaotic world.

I’m currently reading This One Wild and Precious Life*, so will update here once I’ve finished. I also have her first book First We Make the Beast Beautiful*, all about her struggles with depression, on my TBR list, and I recently subscribed to her Substack, This is Precious where I’ve been working my way through her archive of articles. If you’re interested in learning more about Sarah, this is a great post to start with.

Key Takeaway – we have to be willing to have the tough conversations if anything is to change.

Molly Ella

Molly is a fellow Substacker over on Slow Scottish Stories and tiny home dweller. She also has a YouTube Channel, Hippy Highland Living. She creates content around writing, books, nature and earning a living as a creative, all whilst living a slower, more intentional life. I feel like I’ve lived most of my life on full throttle, impatient and believing that everything needs to be done yesterday, but I’ve always yearned for a slower pace of life. Molly’s YouTube videos are a balm for the soul, where she takes you along as she explores the Scottish Highlands with her dog Skye, speaking openly about the challenges of making your own way in the world and what it's like to live in a tiny home. She’s built an online community which has enabled her to give up a stressful and underpaid day job in conservation, to become a full-time content creator, living a life doing work she loves. Molly inspires me to explore a slower pace of life and think about how I can use my creative skills to make money.

Key Takeaway You can make a life for yourself doing the things you love.

* I may earn commission from Bookshop.org on purchases made using these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookshops.