I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Anastasia Petrenko shares a powerful collection of essays to help break free of the narratives that don’t help you to live your most authentic and best life in the book “Be Your Own Guru: 34 Essays on Figuring Out Life”.
The Synopsis
It’s time to shatter the shackles of mediocrity and embrace a life as it is: hard yet fascinating.
Be Your Own Guru is a refreshing take on self-help. Instead of telling you what to do and think, this book invites you to assess your assumptions and break free from narratives that don’t serve you in living your best life.
Featuring 34 insightful essays, each accompanied by thought-provoking questions and practical exercises, this book will inspire you to reflect on your beliefs and values, ultimately aligning them with your aspirations and goals.
Expect to be challenged, provoked, and even occasionally angered by the author’s observations, as they prompt you to confront your own biases and preconceptions.
This practical guide equips you with the tools and techniques needed to navigate life’s complexities. You’ll learn how to:
- Recognize and reevaluate the expectations that cause suffering in your life;
- Uncover your hidden priorities and integrate them into your personal values system;
- Make decisions with confidence, knowing they are rooted in your true values and beliefs;
- Cultivate a sense of inner peace and happiness by minimizing regrets.
If you’re tired of cookie-cutter advice and overblown claims that don’t resonate with your everyday reality, pick up Be Your Own Guru and initiate meaningful change now. No more delays, no more excuses. Step up, take charge, and create the life you want to live.
The Review
What immediately stuck out to me as a reader was the depth of heart and passion that the author wrote. The way the author was able to dive into so many different avenues of thought, from making choices and caring about the important things in life to living life authentically and separating oneself from the media noise, allowed the reader to feel more connected to the subject matter, as it dealt with everyday life and yet felt like the importance was of a grand scale.
The thing that stood out to me the most was the author’s ability to connect with the reader. Rather than feeling like a step-by-step guide from an expert in a field, the book instead felt like an honest and open discussion from someone on the same path as the reader. The heart of each chapter came not in formal steps, but in guidance for the reader into the heart of each matter, allowing us to see the choices we make and go on an internal search for our own answers and paths forward in life.
The Verdict
Insightful, honest, and passionately written, author Anastasia Petrenko’s “Be Your Own Guru” is a must-read book. The wonderful play on words for each chapter allows the reader to get the depth of internal searching that is required to become our own guru, and the emotional depth of the writing itself will keep readers invested enough to come back to this book time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Anastasia Petrenko is a dynamic entrepreneur and writer, originally from Ukraine and now dividing her time between Canada and Costa Rica.
With a passion for asking tough questions and challenging common beliefs, Anastasia regularly contributes to Medium, sharing her unique perspective with a growing audience.
In addition to her non-fiction writing, Anastasia is currently working on her debut novel while sipping on cups of steaming hot tea next to her electronics.