Reading for Women, Witches, and Autistics
A foundational reading list to help you decolonize, unmask and begin your spiritual journey.
After a long week of feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted, I have decided to embrace Hermit mode. I have finally heeded the inner voice urging me to slow down and look within. Initially, I resisted this call, relying on my ego instead of listening to my soul. However, I eventually realized that I had been unconsciously relying on thought patterns that no longer served me in my present reality. This feeling was familiar to me; I experienced it when I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2021, and later when I was diagnosed with autism in 2023. I also felt it when I burnt out in my career, and again when I left the church following the end of my marriage. Although each situation was different, they all showed me what happens when we allow our trauma to guide us and convince ourselves that our power lies outside of ourselves.
After every new situation, I embarked on a journey to realign my life. I switched jobs, relocated to different states, earned my doctorate, and even moved across the country to pursue a new direction. I delved into numerous productivity and "How to Manage ADHD" books, but nothing truly made a difference. I still felt burnt out, dissatisfied, and disconnected until I confronted a harsh truth—the external changes meant nothing without internal change. Even after moving across the country, I ended up recreating the same reality I was trying to escape from, and the constant factor was me.
In order to create lasting change, I realized that I needed to look inward and cultivate a positive relationship with myself, as well as with others and the world around me. I had to unpack the influence of colonization, capitalism, racism, sexism, and religion on my beliefs and behaviors in order to connect with my true self and acknowledge my life's purpose. My journey of self-discovery involved not only a physical and mental journey but a spiritual one indeed.
I previously shared my reading list for "Women, Witches, and Bitches," but those weren't the first books I read on the subject. If you had mentioned witches to me five years ago, I would have recoiled and dismissed it as "Devil Stuff." Thankfully, I've since discovered the truth. I started my journey by reading books that helped me build a strong foundation, allowing me to explore spirituality safely and take control of my life. Each book offered a relatable and down-to-earth perspective on spirituality, dispelling my fears and the misconception that spirituality would solve all my problems.
Here are some books that I recommend for those who are new to unmasking, decolonization, and spirituality. I frequently revisit these books when I feel off track and need to slow down, and each time I read them, my perspective changes as I continue to grow. I have enabled the comments section and I encourage you to share your foundational books with the community in the comments below.
Healing Your Relationship With Self
The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz
Summary: In The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering.
Dr. C's Note: The lessons in this book are so simple that we often forget them in our daily lives. We tend to take things personally, not stand by our word, assume the worst, and overcommit when we feel our best isn't good enough. This book reminds me of a grandmother's wisdom—the words are like a firm hug.
🏃🏿♀️ Quick Read
⭕ This text does not have to be read in order.
Free and cost-effective access
An audiobook is available on the Hoopla App and is free through your local library.
Check your local Five Below book section.
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Summary: The Artist’s Way is the seminal book on the subject of creativity. Each chapter takes you one step closer to your authentic self, allowing you to remove blocks and access your creativity.
Dr. C’s Note: As a child, I was extremely creative, but when I entered the working world, I felt uninspired. I wasn't sure if I could access my creative side again, but through practicing morning pages, going on artist's dates, and participating in guided activities, I was able to gain self-awareness and reclaim my authentic self.
⏱️ This book requires a twelve-week commitment but is well worth it. I worked through the book in 24 weeks to allow time to process the information and insights gained in each section.
🛑 Due to the workbook nature of this book, I recommend purchasing a digital or paper personal copy.
Meditations for ADHD: 7 Guided Meditation Scripts for Improving Concentration, Focus, Patience, Impulse Control, and Reducing Fidgeting, Self-Destructive Behavior, and Feeling Overwhelmed by Shivani Batra
As someone with ADHD, I struggled to ground myself enough to meditate. This audiobook features seven guided meditation scripts for improving concentration, focus, patience, and impulse control, as well as reducing fidgeting, self-destructive behavior, and feeling overwhelmed. Batra begins each session with a 10-minute grounding exercise to relax your body and mind before the meditation begins. Genius!
Healing Your Relationship With Others
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD.
Summary: If you grew up with an emotionally immature, unavailable, or selfish parent, you may have lingering feelings of anger, loneliness, betrayal, or abandonment. You may recall your childhood as a time when your emotional needs were not met, when your feelings were dismissed, or when you took on adult levels of responsibility to compensate for your parent’s behavior. These wounds can be healed, and you can move forward.
Dr. C’s Note: Many neurodivergent adults grew up in households where they felt misunderstood, often leaving their mental and emotional needs unmet. This disconnection leads to trauma that, if left unhealed, can replicate in romantic relationships and destructive patterns within ourselves. This is the first book that helped me understand in real time that forgiveness is truly for you.
🛌 This is not a quick read. Plan to take your time with each chapter and unpack the lessons.
Healing Your Relationship with the World
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams by Deepak Chopra
Summary: Based on natural laws that govern all creation, this book shatters the myth that success results from hard work, exacting plans, or driving ambition. Instead, Deepak Chopra offers a life-altering perspective on attaining success: When we understand our true nature and learn to live in harmony with natural law, a sense of well-being, good health, fulfilling relationships, and material abundance emerge easily and effortlessly.
🏃🏿♀️ Quick Read
⭕ This text does not have to be read in order.
Free and cost-effective access
Check your local Five Below book section.
Updates
📚 I am reading two books, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One by Dr. Joe Dispenza. The Power of Now is said not to be for beginners but is an amazing read so far. I have had Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself for over a year and am only now called to read it after the bigger call to go within. I am already grateful for what has come so far.
☀️ On the Horizon
8/11 😫 Burnout Avoidance: Rest Strategies for Women and Neurodivergents.
This post will explore the seven types of rest and how to incorporate rest into your daily life to unmask without burnout.
Book Club Update: The results are in, and the Book Club won the pool, beating out Podcast and Live Content. That said, I am working on building out the plan for the book club to launch on the autumn equinox.
As always, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to every reader, subscriber, and person who has pledged to support my work. Thank you for recognizing and acknowledging me. I hope that my work enriches you and validates your soul.
We find security and a sense of belonging in communities that embrace us rather than tolerate us. Communities that encourage us to pursue our unique paths.
Here’s to our community of free-spirited, unconventional, divergent wild women and those who support us.
-Sia.
My first book was A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. I know now that it's not an easy book to start with, but it was recommended by my sister, and she's been aware for much longer than I, so i took the plunge and I haven't felt like this since i was a child. I am full of hope and wonder again. Thank you for the recommendations!
It was a WEIRD WEEK for The Collective. Lots of similarly themed things coming to the surface requiring multiple days of reflection, digestions, and releasing.