• Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
Skip to content

15 Best Books on Positive Thinking for 2021

Published: February 23, 2021 Updated: November 25, 2022
Published: 02/23/2021 Updated: 11/25/2022
Headshot of Melissa Boudin, PsyD
Written by:

Melissa Boudin

PsyD
Headshot of Naveed Saleh, MD, MS
Reviewed by:

Naveed Saleh

MD, MS
  • A Year of Positive Thinking: Daily Inspiration, Wisdom, and Courage, by Cyndie Spiegel1.
  • Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation, by Gabriele Oettingen2.
  • Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking is Undermining America, by Barbara Ehrenreich3.
  • Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and It’s All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life, by Richard Carlson4.
  • Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking, by S.J. Scott & Barrie Davenport5.
  • You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, by Jen Sincero6.
  • Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life, by Martin E. P. Seligman7.
  • Read This for Inspiration: Simple Sparks to Ignite Your Life, by Ashly Perez8.
  • Uplifting Stories: True Tales to Inspire You to Take Action, by Ione Butler9.
  • Deep Kindness: A Revolutionary Guide for the Way We Think, Talk, and Act in Kindness, by Houston Kraft10.
  • Humankind: A Hopeful History, by Rutger Bregman11.
  • Crying Laughing, by Lance Rubin12.
  • I Have Lost My Way, by Gayle Forman14.
  • Big Life Journal – Teen Edition: A Growth Mindset Journal for Tweens & Teens, by Big Life Journal Brand15.
  • When to See a Therapist to Help With Positive ThinkingFind a Therapist
  • Additional ResourcesResources
Headshot of Melissa Boudin, PsyD
Written by:

Melissa Boudin

PsyD
Headshot of Naveed Saleh, MD, MS
Reviewed by:

Naveed Saleh

MD, MS

Finding healthy ways to focus on positive thinking can be difficult, but changing our negative self-talk and disposition can have important effects on mental health. If you’re looking for a way to squeeze in a bit more positivity in your life in healthy, achievable ways, here are some of the best books for positive thinking.

For our audience’s convenience, we include links to Amazon so recommended books can be easily purchased. Choosing Therapy may earn a commission from Amazon when purchases are made using the links on this page. Read more about our high editorial standards and advertising policy.

A Year of Positive Thinking: Daily Inspiration, Wisdom, and Courage, by Cyndie Spiegel1. A Year of Positive Thinking: Daily Inspiration, Wisdom, and Courage, by Cyndie Spiegel

How do you change your thoughts? One day at a time. This practical guide by Spiegal is a step-by-step guide to changing your thought processes using daily affirmations, exercises, and meditations. Simple and straightforward, you can start this book at any point in the year.

If you’re looking to make an immediate change in your thinking, but want to integrate it in reasonable ways, this book is for you.

Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation, by Gabriele Oettingen2. Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation, by Gabriele Oettingen

The usual “just think positive” advice from well-meaning friends and family often falls short in the face of actual change. We’re told to just focus on our dreams, stay positive, and not let obstacles hold us back. But for many, it’s not that easy, and the advice, however well-intentioned, doesn’t give much else under scrutiny.

Oettingen draws on years of research and large studies to consider a new line of thought; mental contrasting, the idea of dreaming your goals and recognizing the obstacles in your way, allows you a chance to tackle those obstacles head-on, rather than be blindsided by them. The result is a healthier outlook on positivity and a better way to approach your goals.

Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking is Undermining America, by Barbara Ehrenreich3. Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking is Undermining America, by Barbara Ehrenreich

Thinking positive, according to history, is a relatively new approach. Ehrenreich breaks down how we came to this bright-side thinking and why it might have done more harm than good for society. America’s fascination with positive thinking has done two things, Ehrenreich argues: It set us up for eternal optimism that doesn’t do us any favors while also forcing us to stamp out any negative thoughts.

The author argues that positive thinking may not really have positive effects, and challenges readers to consider a more balanced, existentially brave approach.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and It's All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life, by Richard Carlson4. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and It’s All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life, by Richard Carlson

Overthinking, nonstop negative thoughts, and anxiety over making decisions can make it difficult to think positively at all. Dr.Carlson wrote this book to give readers a series of little things they can do every day to get a bit more peace in their life.

This practical guide includes advice about picking battles, making peace with imperfection, and trusting your intuitions. Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff is a good reminder about how little everything is, and how freeing that can be.

Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking, by S.J. Scott & Barrie Davenport5. Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking, by S.J. Scott & Barrie Davenport

This guide uses mindfulness techniques to help clear out the mental clutter that is keeping you down. These exercises are built to help you identify where your anxiety is coming from and how to improve it going forward. You’ll also learn how to reframe negative thoughts, clear out anxiety-causing distractions, and more.

You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, by Jen Sincero6. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, by Jen Sincero

Success coach Jen Sincero wants you to know that you are way cooler than you think. In a series of stories, inspirational quotes, and thought exercises, You Are a Badass is a guide just as much about thinking positively as it is about building confidence in yourself (and enjoying the occasional swear word).

The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work, by Shawn Achor7. Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life, by Martin E. P. Seligman

Optimism isn’t always inherent; some people have to work on it. It’s a cultivated skill. Dr. Seligman’s national bestseller leans on twenty years of clinical research on the power of optimism and how it can physically affect your life.

With easy guides, how-to advice, and practical applications, Learned Optimism was written to help you retrain your brain.

Read This for Inspiration: Simple Sparks to Ignite Your Life, by Ashly Perez8. Read This for Inspiration: Simple Sparks to Ignite Your Life, by Ashly Perez

These bite-sized bits of positivity are color-coded by what you may be looking for; inspiration, motivation, encouragement. While it may be helpful to continue unpacking why you’re constantly feeling negative or down, these quick reads are good when you need a quick pick-me-up.

Learn and practice postive thinking with a therapist. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

Uplifting Stories: True Tales to Inspire You to Take Action, by Ione Butler9. Uplifting Stories: True Tales to Inspire You to Take Action, by Ione Butler

Sometimes, you just need to know how good of a place the world really is. Ione Butler is the founder of Uplifting Content, and she’s interviewed thousands of people with stories of hope, perseverance, and inspiration for this book.
When the news seems impossibly negative, or the world feels like a terrible place, Uplifting Storiesis here to remind you of the good that exists.

Deep Kindness: A Revolutionary Guide for the Way We Think, Talk, and Act in Kindness, by Houston Kraft10. Deep Kindness: A Revolutionary Guide for the Way We Think, Talk, and Act in Kindness, by Houston Kraft

What if we were unfathomably kind to ourselves? What if we practiced kindness in every step of our day, even when it’s hard, or we don’t feel like we can?

Houston Kraft’s guide is for those looking to make the world a kinder, better place. It encourages readers to dive deep into why kindness may be difficult for them, or how to apply it in practical situations. In turn, it just might help you find more kindness and positivity in your own life

Humankind: A Hopeful History, by Rutger Bregman11. Humankind: A Hopeful History, by Rutger Bregman

History as a whole can be really depressing. And humans, society tends to agree, are pretty bad. But author Rutger Bregman doesn’t think that’s entirely true.

Looking over 200,000 years of history, Bregman argues that humans are hardwired for kindness, predisposed to help others, and more likely to trust others than not. Humankind is good read for those who want to believe the world is a better place than they were told.

Crying Laughing, by Lance Rubin12. Crying Laughing, by Lance Rubin

You have to laugh about it, or you’ll cry. That’s what Winnie Friedman finds in this tragicomic novel that isn’t afraid to be as funny as it is heartbreaking. Facing awkward dates, bombshell diagnoses, and bad stand-up routines, Winnie is just trying to find a reason to laugh again.

Teenagers struggling to find the humor in everyday life might find Winnie’s journey affirming, or at the very least, a little funny.

13. Children of the Self-Absorbed: A Grown-Up’s Guide to Getting Over Narcissistic Parents, by Nina W. Brown

Author Nina W. Brown lays out concise definitions of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder to help readers understand the extent of their parents’ issues. It delves into different types of destructive behaviors, and how to recognize the effect they had on you and your ability to form relationships as an adult.

Brown suggests the creation of realistic strategies and a step-by-step approach to resolving conflict and maintaining a relationship with narcissistic parents. It helps you moderate the damaging impact of your uniquely challenging upbringing.

I Have Lost My Way, by Gayle Forman14. I Have Lost My Way, by Gayle Forman

Three strangers find solace in each other in a novel that spans exactly one day in New York City. Freya is a struggling artist, Harun is about to run away from home, and Nathaniel just arrived in the city with nothing but the backpack on his shoulder.

As the day unfolds, these three protagonists find they have a lot to learn from each other about loss, love, and discovering how the vulnerability of helping others can help themselves.

Big Life Journal - Teen Edition: A Growth Mindset Journal for Tweens & Teens, by Big Life Journal Brand15. Big Life Journal – Teen Edition: A Growth Mindset Journal for Tweens & Teens, by Big Life Journal Brand

This guided journal is built for teens and young adults. With guided prompts and a growth-mindset approach, teenagers can use this journal to outline goals, recognize their emotions, and frame self-talk in healthy, mindful ways.

When to See a Therapist to Help With Positive Thinking

You don’t have to be positive all the time; everyone has rough days now and again. But if you struggle with negative self-talk or finding anything positive in your daily life, it may be time to speak with a therapist. They can help you reframe the way you talk about yourself and the world. If you’re ready to make a change in your life, here’s a directory of therapists in your area.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Online Therapy 

BetterHelp – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. BetterHelp has over 20,000 therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy.  Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Online Psychiatry

Hims / Hers – If you’re living with anxiety or depression, finding the right medication match may make all the difference. Get FDA approved medication prescribed by your dedicated Hims / Hers Healthcare Provider and delivered right to your door. Plans start at $25 per month (first month). Get Started

Medication + Therapy

Brightside Health – Together, medication and therapy can help you feel like yourself, faster. Brightside Health treatment plans start at $95 per month. United Healthcare, Anthem, Cigna, and Aetna accepted. Following a free online evaluation and receiving a prescription, you can get FDA approved medications delivered to your door. Free Assessment

Choosing Therapy Directory 

You can search for therapists by specialty,  experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Hims / Hers, Brightside, and BetterHelp.

For Further Reading

  • Best Books on Communication
  • Incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your routine with the Headspace or Calm apps
  • Take a look at the best online therapy options available today
  • Find the best mental health app for you
  • Read our favorite books on self-love

Recent Articles

61 Mental Health Gift Ideas
61 Mental Health Gift Ideas: Gifts for Anxiety, Stress, Self-Care, & More
We asked therapists what gifts they would give to promote mental health and emotional wellness. Here's their list of...
';
20 Best ADHD YouTube Channels for 2022
20 Best ADHD Youtube Channels for 2022
ADHD has become more common of a diagnosis, and it would make sense that there are ADHD YouTube videos...
';
21 Best ADHD Blogs for 2022
21 Best ADHD Blogs for 2022
Our comprehensive list of 15 of the best ADHD blogs can help you learn more about the condition and...
';
20 Best ADHD Podcasts for 2022
20 Best ADHD Podcasts for 2022
Picking an ADHD podcast to listen to with the goal to help understand how someone with ADHD operates can...
';
Best ADHD Books for 2021
15 Best ADHD Books for 2022
Whether you have ADHD or have a friend or loved one with ADHD, finding stories from therapists, doctors, and...
';
Best Time Management Books for 2022
12 Best Time Management Books for 2022
These 12 books can help you become a master of your schedule, alleviating the feelings of being overwhelmed and...
';
Headshot of Melissa Boudin, PsyD
Written by:

Melissa Boudin

PsyD
Headshot of Naveed Saleh, MD, MS
Reviewed by:

Naveed Saleh

MD, MS
  • A Year of Positive Thinking: Daily Inspiration, Wisdom, and Courage, by Cyndie Spiegel1.
  • Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation, by Gabriele Oettingen2.
  • Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking is Undermining America, by Barbara Ehrenreich3.
  • Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and It’s All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life, by Richard Carlson4.
  • Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking, by S.J. Scott & Barrie Davenport5.
  • You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, by Jen Sincero6.
  • Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life, by Martin E. P. Seligman7.
  • Read This for Inspiration: Simple Sparks to Ignite Your Life, by Ashly Perez8.
  • Uplifting Stories: True Tales to Inspire You to Take Action, by Ione Butler9.
  • Deep Kindness: A Revolutionary Guide for the Way We Think, Talk, and Act in Kindness, by Houston Kraft10.
  • Humankind: A Hopeful History, by Rutger Bregman11.
  • Crying Laughing, by Lance Rubin12.
  • I Have Lost My Way, by Gayle Forman14.
  • Big Life Journal – Teen Edition: A Growth Mindset Journal for Tweens & Teens, by Big Life Journal Brand15.
  • When to See a Therapist to Help With Positive ThinkingFind a Therapist
  • Additional ResourcesResources
If you are in need of immediate medical help:
Medical
Emergency
911
Suicide Hotline
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • No Surprises Act
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
988
Click For More Crisis Hotlines
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
811
See more Crisis Hotlines
here
logo
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Choosing Therapy Logo
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit Cookie Settings to provide controlled consent. Cookie settings ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

We use cookies to facilitate website functionality. Also, we use third-party cookies to track your website behavior and target advertising. These cookies are stored in your browser only with your consent, and you have the choice of opting out.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non Necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Save & Accept