Self-Improved Me: An Illustrated Guide to Self-Discovery and Continuous Improvement

by Puty Puar

Being a woman in this modern society is getting more challenging each day. There are a lot of expectations from our closest ones and even pressures from strangers on the internet.


'When will you get married?'


'Why does your child behave that way? You must be too busy working.'


'You haven’t joined any Pilates class yet? Like, ever??'


'Beyonce also has 24 hours in a day, you know???'


They seeped into our minds without realizing it, creating guilt and making it difficult to be aware of ourselves and what we truly aim for. There were times we did something only out of fear of missing out because everybody seemed to be doing it (or at least, that’s what social media told us).


Self-awareness and mindfulness about our purposes are the first steps to gaining clarity in life. They are part of the self-discovery journey, where we honor our growth process and embrace our imperfections.


This illustrated book offers a toolkit that doesn’t promise a one-size-fits-all method. It’s about the discovery process itself. With bite-sized writings and illustrations, it aims to help get us to know ourselves better and appreciate our unique way of progressing in life. It includes exercise templates and practical tips for arranging our priorities, measuring our progress, and making better decisions based on self-reflection and evaluation.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2024

About the author

Mom, illustrator, content creator, book author & enthusiast. Initiator and general manager of 'Buibu Baca Buku', a book club aiming to empower Indonesian women (especially mothers!) through literacy.

Reviews

[Fitri · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the book says at the end, "This book offers a sort of toolkit, not a script... emphasizes the importance of the process of self-discovery".

Reading this book inspires me to write down my goals, track it, and become more conscious about decisions in my life. The writing is straight to the point, with cute illustration and quotes. Such a good read to end (or start) the year ✨️

I already read Empowered ME: Mother Empowers by the same author back in 2022. I do aware that this version is a rework from that one so I read this one thinking I already know the content. While it is true at some parts, I think this one is intended for more general audience (especially with the examples) and since it is in a different language, it doesn't feel like reading a book twice. Nevertheless, I also think that both book are worth to be read more than once when we need some clarity and inspiration to restart or continue our goals in life.

[Dinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seperti judulnya, buku ‘Self-Improved Me’ ini adalah ‘An Illustrated Guide to Self Discovery dan Continuous Improvement’. Sebenarnya, udah sangat menjelaskan tentang isinya sih ya.

Jadi, buku ini semacam rangkuman dari ide-ide dan cara-cara praktis untuk mengenali diri sendiri dan membuat diri menjadi lebih baik.

Untuk bisa melakukan itu, kita sebaiknya membuat tujuan (di sini dijelaskan bagaimana cara membuat tujuan yang baik dengan metode SMART), membuat rencana untuk mencapai tujuan itu (dengan memecahnya menjadi bagian-bagian kecil agar lebih ringan), mengeksekusi rencana dan membuat progress (dengan menggunakan tracker dan jurnaling sebagai ‘data’), menikmati proses mencapai tujuan (dengan merayakan kemenangan-kemenangan kecil), dan mengevaluasi hasilnya (yang kemudian digunakan lagi untuk perbaikan diri mencapai tujuan baru). Begitulah siklus mengenal dan memperbaiki diri terus menerus ini.

Dengan bahasa yang mudah dimengerti dan dibantu dengan ilustrasi yang gemas, Puty memberikan alat-alat bantu seperti chart dan matrix untuk kita melakukan itu.

Yang paling aku suka, Puty mendorong pembaca untuk langsung berbuat sesuatu dengan membuat highlte berjudul ‘ Self-Improved Me Note’ yang berisi tips atau action plan setiap ia mengenalkan konsep/tools baru. Sambil baca buku ini, aku juga langsung oret-oret jurnalku, hihi!

Bukunya memang terasa banget untuk ibu-ibu/perempuan, tapi sepertinya siapapun yang ingin memperbaiki diri cocok-cocok aja kok baca buku ini.

[Frizka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book give me a lot of insights for self relfection. As a person who is still trying to figure out what I want in my life (also is currently on quarter life-crisis 🫠✌🏻), a lot of chart, graphs and questions that really help me to rethink my purpose, navigate my goals. For me this book is not just a guide to self-discovery, it's also a guide to embrace and encourage the decisions I'll make – though some things might not work but I think it's worth trying. And of course, many quotes and illustrations that are relatable and so nice to be shared in instastory!

[Scribbles and Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in this book the most. It makes the topic more engaging. Often, when reading non-fiction, it can get dry especially because books like these include research-based evidence that support a certain concept. Puty Puar's unique and creative art adds even more clarity to important and relatable topics like imposter syndrome, comparing the self with other people, setting boundaries, and practicing energy management. It was a quick read, but there are a lot of things she wrote here that resonated with me so much. Highly recommended!

[Risa Triandari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a comfort-book. I feel like this a great book to gift a teenage or a young adult! Soothing, calming, and also with a practical tool-kit to get you going in life with purpose and plans.

The illustrations are so cute it not only entertaining but reallly also helps to understand the concepts explained.

[Widyoresmi Hastyo]

Couple of sentences become a highlight from this book - This is where writing becomes a powerful tool for self-discovery. Writing self-reflection is more than just conveying ideas-it's a way of crystallizing them.

This book is obviously recommended for us to prepare an update version of us

[Cynthia Wahyuni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helps me to rethink about what I actually want, there are some useful exercises as well

[Rewina Pratiwi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book feels like having a conversation with an older sister who helps you figure out how to get your life together, but without being preachy. This book is so comforting 😭🩶

[Bookimc · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars from 5 for me 🌱

[Anggi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a helpful book to figure out your goals and ways to achieve them. It is full of a lot of helpful tools and cute illustration. Definitely worth a read!

[Oktri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book to kickstart 2025! As individuals, we often battle with comparison, self-doubt, and the feeling that we’re just not good enough—whether it’s building a habit or getting through the mundane. Self-Affirmed Me offers practical tools to navigate all that. One line that’s stuck with me: 'Every time you say yes to something, you’re saying no to something else.' A simple yet powerful reminder to keep my boundaries in check and prioritize what truly matters. :)

[bookishmek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you in your 20s? Then Self-Improved Me is a must-read! 🌱
It’s super easy to understand, filled with fun illustrations, and honestly sooo relatable. 😄📖
Whether you're married, single, confused or just figuring life out—this book will guide you to become your better self.
I learned, I'm growing and I’m keeping it on my shelf forever! 💗✨