The goal of our new upcoming series From the Inside Out: Harnessing the Power of a Made Up Mind, is to study the mind and the power it wields. 

A beautiful life begins with a beautiful mind. 

Recently, during my spring cleaning, I realized after purging closets and drawers, there was one area left to be cleaned and that is my bookshelf. 

For years (at least thirty) I was a devoted fan/junkie/addict of the “self-help” world.  

If there was a book to be read, seminar to attend, video to watch or lesson to be heard I participated.  

I spent years and a small fortune chasing a supposed better, improved version of myself yet instead of feeling enlightened I found myself exhausted, discouraged and berating myself daily for lack of perceived progress. 

In trying to find my purpose, embrace my passion, fix my brokenness, erase my shortcomings, do, be and have more I was miserable.

This week I donated the last of my self-help books because I am no longer interested in chasing someone else’s idea of success. 

My bookshelf now reflects my loves which include music, nature, classic literature and biographies, delicious food, travel and adventure, style, beauty and the arts. 

Yes, biographies of inspiring, iconic women (Chanel, Diane Von Furstenberg, Sophia Loren and Jackie O), beautiful cookbooks that encourage food and fellowship, travel books that transport me to lavender fields in Provence or lush vineyards in Tuscany and style and home decor books that inspire simplicity and elegance now line the shelves once filled with books that were a constant reminder of my brokenness and shortcomings always telling me there was “more” to be had if I could just follow the “7 simple steps.”

There is no one-size-fits-all formula for personal growth. 

Elevate – Chic Inspired Living is about inspiring you to create a life you love as defined by you alone.

What needs to be purged from your surroundings or life in order to create space for the life you want? Clutter, toxic relationships, negativity?

You are beautiful, bold and blessed-not broken and I believe it’s time for the old to go to make room for the new.

Sandra Hubbard