Self Improvement Made Easy

I discovered self improvement blogs a few months ago but i can’t seem to find the connection between that and religion. I believe in God and all that but I seem to connect the period of my life when i was depressed and just looking at my experiences negatively as when i was most religious. The blogs I read are not exactly religious but they gave me some hope that I can have a great life, it all boils down to me and personal responsibility. I want to be closer to God and have someone to lean on when I’m not so strong but I cant get past the fact that I have to be miserable to have a relationship with him. I know I should not lean on my own understanding and get all egotistical thinking i’m the best there is n don’t need him. To expound on that, my mom is a christian and is always sayin that with no God, she wouldn’t be where she is today(she really has come a long way). I just want to find my own interpretation of a relationship with God and still be able to read self improvement books that dont necessarily have to be focused on God…I’m soooo confused, there’s a lot I can write for you to understand what im asking but i can find words. Please help, even just a single quote that makes sense would go a long way…..

PS 1:Even ask a friend who has been through this or understands to answer.

PS 2: I’m about to go to college and want to make it the best experience I can have, be positive and grow, i cant do that when the path to follow is not clear….