Why Reading Alone Isn’t Enough for Personal Growth
When we talk about personal growth, books often come up first.
As an interior designer, I often think about how our surroundings shape us—but also how our thinking habits shape our surroundings.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on a different kind of space: mental space. And one question kept coming up—do we really need to read all the right books to live well, grow, and be “successful”?
Lately I noticed so many of the top-selling books (about personal growth) are about how to sell, grow fast, get rich, or become someone big.
And it really made me think—what are we chasing right now?
To be honest, some of these books don’t inspire me at all. Sometimes, they just make me feel kind of bad about myself.
This blog post is a little more personal and spontaneous — a collection of my thoughts, really. I hope it resonates with anyone who’s ever felt like they’re walking a different path.
Don’t get me wrong—I’m not against books. I just don’t reach for them often. In fact, I rarely read books at all. And yet, I’ve come to realize: I still understand a lot. Not because I’ve absorbed wisdom from 300-page bestsellers, but because I observe, think, and live.
Since I’m not someone who reads often, am I falling behind? Are you the same?
And in today’s world, when a quick Google search can answer almost anything, I sometimes wonder—is reading books still the most efficient way to learn?
The Self-Help Book Dilemma
Take Atomic Habits, for example. It’s a wildly popular book, and I totally get why—it’s practical, well-written, and has helped many people build better routines.
But when I tried to read it, I found myself feeling… kind of bad.
Not because it wasn’t good. But because it made me feel like I was constantly falling short. Wake up at 5 AM. Journal every day. Meditate. Work out. Track progress. Stick to your systems. If I wasn’t doing all that, was I just lazy?
And that’s where the frustration came in. These books often present “success” as something you can systematize and optimize, as long as you just have enough discipline.
But what about people who don’t want to live like that?
What about those who work 3–4 focused hours a day and still create amazing things?
What about other definitions of success?
The Books That Do Resonate
Ironically, some books do speak to me.
Books like Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up actually feel calming instead of pressuring.
They don’t tell me who to become. They help me notice what I already feel. What brings joy. What matters. What I can let go of.
That kind of guidance feels more human, less mechanical.
The Problem with the “Life Formula”
And then there’s the classic life formula we’ve all heard:
Study hard. Get into a good university. Get a stable job. Get married. Buy a house.
Do all this by a certain age.
But I’ve never followed that formula. Not because I’m against it—but because I just never believed it was the only way.
I don’t feel anxious about where I “should be” in life. I live by what feels right. And honestly, that freedom allows me to stay curious, open, and actually enjoy what I do.
Thinking Isn’t Always in Books
Sometimes I wonder:
Is reading books just another way people validate whether someone is “educated”?
What if someone doesn’t read much, but thinks deeply?
What if they learn through conversation, experience, observation, and quiet reflection?
That person could be more insightful than someone who’s read hundreds of books but never questioned anything.
So maybe the goal isn’t to consume more—it’s to digest better. To stay awake. To stay honest. To pay attention.
A Thought, Not a Conclusion
I’m not saying people shouldn’t read. And I’m not here to call any book “useless.”
If you’re a big bookworm, and reading brings you peace, inspiration, and clarity—go for it! You’ve found your way. Honestly, that’s something to celebrate.
But I also know there are many out there just like me—the complete opposite.
And I want you to know: it’s okay.
We’re not behind. We’re not missing out.
We’re just different. And different is allowed.
Maybe your learning comes from life itself—from talking, doing, failing, reflecting, and trying again. That’s still learning. That’s still growth.
So no matter which path you’re on—books or no books—here’s to figuring things out in your own way.
And maybe that’s what design is about too: making space for who we really are.
Hi there👋, I’m Jacqueline, founder of The Glade Design! I specialize in residential interior design. Visit my service page for details or email me to chat!
