I have always believed in the power of small shifts—whether it’s turning an ‘I’ into a ‘we’ so that ‘illness’ becomes ‘wellness’ or taking the time to reflect on your day with honesty and gratitude.” This isn’t just a clever turn of phrase. It’s the foundational truth behind Ari Max’s self-help guide, Like Trees Growing. In a world where we’re constantly told to “hustle” and “keep going,” Max offers a radically different message: stop going through life and start growing through it. The difference is subtle, yet life-altering. “Going through” implies survival. You’re existing. You’re enduring. But “growing through” life? That’s where transformation happens. That’s where the joy is. And according to Max, growth doesn’t have to be loud or grand—it just has to be real.
We live in a world obsessed with productivity. Success is often measured by how much we get done, how much money we make, or how quickly we move on to the next thing. But as Max reminds us, “life is not easy—it’s messy, unpredictable, and full of twists and turns we never see coming.” Rather than pushing readers to ignore this truth, Max invites them to lean into it. In his eyes, growth doesn’t begin when life is perfect—it begins in the mess. Whether it’s the ache of loss, the weight of mental health challenges, or the stress of balancing everyday responsibilities, these are the places where roots begin to form. Growth, he says, starts when we accept what is and begin choosing differently—one small shift at a time.
The book begins with a powerful metaphor: life as a house. “Imagine a house battered by storms,” he writes. “Yet, despite the chaos, the house stands firm—its foundation unshaken.” That foundation? It’s built on honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Without these, Max argues, no goal-setting, journaling, or routine will truly stick. It’s the strength of character—not just habits—that determines whether we grow. He teaches readers how to pour that foundation, beginning with three interconnected pillars: physical vitality, emotional balance, and mental strength. These aren’t just buzzwords. Max explains how nourishing the body, tending to our emotions with mindfulness, and feeding the mind through continuous learning form the bedrock of lasting personal change. This layered approach ensures that we’re not just “coping” with life—we’re evolving through it. Small Changes. Massive Results.
Max is very clear: growth doesn’t require perfection. It requires consistency. One of the most powerful aspects of Like Trees Growing is the way it makes personal growth feel both achievable and grounded in science. From habit-building backed by neuroscience to reflection exercises that deepen self-awareness, the book gives tools that aren’t about “overhauling your life” in a weekend—but about making daily deposits into who you want to become. Take the GPS method he introduces—Goal, Plan, Start. Sounds simple? It is. And that’s what makes it so brilliant. Max walks readers through how to set meaningful, aligned goals; how to break them into actionable steps; and most importantly, how to actually start. The idea is to take small but strategic steps that build momentum. Growth doesn’t come from the size of the leap—it comes from the commitment to leap again tomorrow.
Growth is only possible in the present moment—and Max knows it. Chapter two is dedicated to teaching readers how to live in the “now.” Drawing parallels to children playing in a sandbox, he explains how presence allows us to find joy in simple experiences, to let go of perfection, and to remember that our worth isn’t tied to productivity or performance. “What if our worth wasn’t tied to what we achieve?” Max asks. “What if it was inherent, infinite, and unchanging?” This shift—from proving to simply being—is the beginning of internal freedom. Through practical breathing techniques, gratitude practices, and mindfulness exercises, he invites readers to come back to themselves. The present moment, as he frames it, isn’t just a pause—it’s the place where real life is happening.
What makes Like Trees Growing different from most self-help books is how interactive and lived-in it feels. Every chapter includes journaling prompts, reflection questions, and action steps. Max’s writing is warm, wise, and never preachy. He’s not shouting from a mountaintop—he’s walking alongside you, reminding you gently, “You’ve got this.” And if you ever forget, he reminds you again: “Healing is possible, and progress—no matter how small—is worth celebrating.”
This book isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about growing into yourself. Through Ari Max’s calm, thoughtful voice and deeply practical wisdom, Like Trees Growing becomes a companion for anyone who wants to stop sleepwalking through life and start showing up for it—on purpose. So if you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure of what to do next, or simply tired of going through the motions, this book is your call to wake up. To move from survival to growth. From chaos to clarity. From “going through life” to growing through life.
