Want Your Self: Shift Your Self-Talk and Unearth the Strength in Who You Were All Along

by Katie Horwitch

“Katie Horwitch is the queen of self-empowerment.”— Liz Moody, host of the Liz Moody Podcast and author of How to Build Your Best Life
I’m not good enough. Not smart enough. Not talented enough. We all do it. Belittling who we are, what we do, what we stand for—often without even realizing it. And it's stuck on a loop. Yet if shifting our toxic self-talk was as easy as repeating positive mantras, we’d have done it already. With Want Your Self, Katie Horwitch offers an approach for deep and lasting change—a guide for becoming fluent in an inner language for loving who you are while growing into the person you were meant to become.

In Want Your Self, you’ll find step-by-step guidance for finding, being, and staying your Self in this increasingly chaotic and complex world. Horwitch shines a compassionate light on the seemingly everyday moments that define your narratives and unpacks your inherited emotional DNA—then shares invaluable practices like Truth Maintenance, The Planned Freak-Out, and The Fear-Less Equation to help you sift through years of pretending and perfecting to unearth the strength in who you were all along.

“Behind every person fighting against their Self is really a person who yearns to want their Self,” says Horwitch. “And that is a journey worth going on.” Want Your Self is the blueprint for that journey—a pragmatic and proactive alternative to the toxic positivity that keeps us disconnected from ourselves and each other.

Genres: Self Help

279 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Liv Laskowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad this was released just before I'd be traveling and spending a lot of time with my Self. Reading this flew by—the mix of heart and humor kept me extremely engaged. I thoroughly enjoyed learning from Katie's stories and her framework—for me it was a journey through new ways of approaching things, as well as a light shed on some things I've experienced or been considering lately. Absolutely some AHA moments, as well as some great opportunities for reflection. A personal development book that actually made me feel good about myself instead of like I'm a tragic work in progress. Anyone could benefit from reading this :-)

[Kelly Pramberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie has crafted a really important book with Want Your Self. Self-love and self-talk are among the topics she covers. I loved her examples and personal touches with the book. They paired really well with the facts and research about how important our self-talk and compassion are. I'm suggesting this book to my young nieces along with friends in my self-love coaching group. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars!

[Caroline Geiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author infuses the pages of this book with her authenticity, vulnerability, curiosity, and kindness. She brings the reader on a journey from self-understanding to self-belief through relatable personal experiences and revelations. She is right there with the reader the whole time, as a warm friend, an enthusiastic supporter, and a reliable and unwavering guide. Want Your Self is for everyone, whether you’re looking to adjust your self-talk patterns, to discover strength in yourself, or to explore your own story to understand your journey to becoming who you are and who you’re meant to be. ⠀

[Frances Altman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had an advice book like this 40 years ago. It's natural to compare yourself to others. It discusses "negative selftalk. " That's when you tell yourself "I'm not good enough" etc . So how do you get over it? Katie tells you. After 240-some pages she asks the same questions. By then you have learned that you cannot compare yourself to anyone else. Katie's message is "surround yourself with people that matter and you can trust." I agree with the author that "life will break your heart if you let it." Get over it!

[Jeremy Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m pretty new to the wellness and self-development world, I’ve always found the majority of self development content pretty abstract, but Want Your Self was direct, clear, and super compelling, I finished it in a weekend and actually feel empowered! Really loved it and highly recommend!!

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational! I’ve always suffered with low self esteem and negative self talk. This book is full of stories and anecdotes to help alter your mindset. Katie definitely knows how to relate to her readers. I also follow the author on instagram to get.a daily dose of motivation.

[Crista Lindberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very powerful writer. But the cadence of powerful statement / cliche crescendos often distracted me from the point.

[Aida Babic · Rating 1 out of 5]

No idea how this has good reviews?? This book was all over the place and seemed like the author’s life story versus a self-help book.

[Meg Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book overall. I love books that make me think about things in different ways and this book certainly did that. I tabbed so many different quotes and thoughts throughout that I plan on revisiting. I really appreciated the different exercises that the author offered, and her examples for them helped them be more real. There is an appendix in the back with them as well which is awesome. I think my favorite part was the "planned freak out". I appreciate the authors straightforward thinking and ways of dealing with anxiety. I definitely will recommend this to my friends and clients alike!

[Vania EM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the audio. Surprised I had not noticed this self want trending topic of recent times. But it is real and pertinent.