A review by katietotallybooked
Grace, Not Perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebrating Joy by Emily Ley
3.5
I enjoyed this book and it did help me get back into reading nonfiction as part of my morning routine.
I took some quotes from it as well. A lot of her ideas and insights wasn’t new to me. But I did enjoy her personal stories and experiences that she sprinkled throughout in this one.
Quotes I liked the most
p.2 • "Forget what the world is telling you. You don't have to constantly strive to be more. You are enough. You deserve simple, slow, and sweet. You are worthy of happiness. You deserve silly, extravagant joy, belly laughs, and rich memories worthy of being slowly retold in rocking chairs on front porches. This is attainable-where you are, as you are, with what you have right now."
p.8 • "Perfect doesn’t equal worthy. "
p.36 • "So how do we tactically set ourselves up for joy? It starts with grace, continues with a plan, and ends with grace. When you make a plan, wrap it up in a giant hug of grace, because it may not happen, or it may not happen the way you intended Let go of the perfect plan, and pursue a good and flexible plan-one that will give you the freedom to go with the flow and find the joy hidden in the in-between moments."
p.39 • "Don’t sacrifice the good to chase the perfect. "
p.66 • "“I’m slowly learning that my happiest, most special moments happen when the circus is at its peak.”
"
• "Our need to be in control, to orchestrate the perfect scenario for every journey of our lives, breeds anxiety in our hearts.
With each piece of the puzzle we release, we find true freedom and true joy. When we're able to let the pieces fall where they will, we free our hands for better purposes."
p.128 • "Give yourself grace to do what you can, where you are, with what you have. "
p.180 • "No matter what your passions are in this life or what road you're traveling or what goal you're chasing, know this: it's okay to get dirty. It's okay to try one thing, mess up, and try something else. It's also okay to keep trying to climb that same tree, even if you fall down ten times. The difference between people who achieve their goals and people who don't is their ability to dust themselves off and wear their dirty outfit proudly."
p.211 • "Stop right there. How is it supposed to look? When we create fantasy images in our heads, we slay the beauty in our lives. Comparison truly is the thief of joy. And we've established that standard of perfection in our work and our families based on what? Social media highlight reels? Perfect people? (I'm telling you-they're like unicorns. They don't exist.) Being a woman with many loves and responsibilities will test your patience, stretch your will, and make you love more fiercely than you ever thought possible-because time is your most precious commodity. Remember, though, that this part of life-this busy, crazy, circus-like place you're in -is but a season. It will come and go just like all the others."
p.213 • "Do what works. Forget the rest!"
I took some quotes from it as well. A lot of her ideas and insights wasn’t new to me. But I did enjoy her personal stories and experiences that she sprinkled throughout in this one.
Quotes I liked the most
p.2 • "Forget what the world is telling you. You don't have to constantly strive to be more. You are enough. You deserve simple, slow, and sweet. You are worthy of happiness. You deserve silly, extravagant joy, belly laughs, and rich memories worthy of being slowly retold in rocking chairs on front porches. This is attainable-where you are, as you are, with what you have right now."
p.8 • "Perfect doesn’t equal worthy. "
p.36 • "So how do we tactically set ourselves up for joy? It starts with grace, continues with a plan, and ends with grace. When you make a plan, wrap it up in a giant hug of grace, because it may not happen, or it may not happen the way you intended Let go of the perfect plan, and pursue a good and flexible plan-one that will give you the freedom to go with the flow and find the joy hidden in the in-between moments."
p.39 • "Don’t sacrifice the good to chase the perfect. "
p.66 • "“I’m slowly learning that my happiest, most special moments happen when the circus is at its peak.”
"
• "Our need to be in control, to orchestrate the perfect scenario for every journey of our lives, breeds anxiety in our hearts.
With each piece of the puzzle we release, we find true freedom and true joy. When we're able to let the pieces fall where they will, we free our hands for better purposes."
p.128 • "Give yourself grace to do what you can, where you are, with what you have. "
p.180 • "No matter what your passions are in this life or what road you're traveling or what goal you're chasing, know this: it's okay to get dirty. It's okay to try one thing, mess up, and try something else. It's also okay to keep trying to climb that same tree, even if you fall down ten times. The difference between people who achieve their goals and people who don't is their ability to dust themselves off and wear their dirty outfit proudly."
p.211 • "Stop right there. How is it supposed to look? When we create fantasy images in our heads, we slay the beauty in our lives. Comparison truly is the thief of joy. And we've established that standard of perfection in our work and our families based on what? Social media highlight reels? Perfect people? (I'm telling you-they're like unicorns. They don't exist.) Being a woman with many loves and responsibilities will test your patience, stretch your will, and make you love more fiercely than you ever thought possible-because time is your most precious commodity. Remember, though, that this part of life-this busy, crazy, circus-like place you're in -is but a season. It will come and go just like all the others."
p.213 • "Do what works. Forget the rest!"