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A review by deecreatenola
Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living by Shauna Niequist
3.0
I listened to the audio version of this book.
Admittedly, I didn't really know of Shauna Niequist before reading this book so I had no idea she was a Christian author from a high-profile Christian family. Therefore a lot of the Christian undertones were not something I had anticipated, and that wasn't something I was looking for. That said, it's not a bad book and there are some passages that spoke to me amidst a lot of repetition. I think the book could've been cut in half and still said the same thing. I think the author sensed a progression in her story that maybe is as recognizable from the outside. Basically, she is saying not to seek your validation externally. For her, it's Jesus who gives her unconditional validation.
As a working parent I appreciate the stress she was under when she began this journey. But I also see a tremendous amount of privilege. She was stressed because she was booking hundreds of speaking engagements because people wanted to hear her speak. Challenging, yes, but self-managed. She did have to get over own idea of what success meant, what she wanted her life to look like. But in the meantime, she had her family vacation house to go to. She didn't have the kind of job that only gave her two weeks vacation. She could spend a month by the water thinking about her life. That's extreme privilege. Even after making this decision, she's still in existential pain in Hawaii. Now, anyone can feel deep inner anguish, whether you are poor or a millionaire. But in Hawaii with your family?
Still and all, I liked Shauna. I think she'd be a nice friend or neighbor. The kind who over thinks everything, but a nice person. I wish her well and will keep hoping for the Present Over Perfect: Agnostic Style book from someone else. The irony is that I suspect this book put her more in demand. I hope she uses the knowledge she's gained to keep it manageable for her as she enjoys her quiet cup of coffee in her not-as-clean house.
I feel like I sound bitter. Jealous might be more like it. I'd love to dial it back. Work 20 hours instead of 40. Spend quality time with my child instead of hustling to keep food on the table. Or think about my life on a beach for a month. Maybe when I figure it out, I'll have Shauna narrate my audio book. She does have a great voice for radio - very soothing and calm, ideal for her story.
Admittedly, I didn't really know of Shauna Niequist before reading this book so I had no idea she was a Christian author from a high-profile Christian family. Therefore a lot of the Christian undertones were not something I had anticipated, and that wasn't something I was looking for. That said, it's not a bad book and there are some passages that spoke to me amidst a lot of repetition. I think the book could've been cut in half and still said the same thing. I think the author sensed a progression in her story that maybe is as recognizable from the outside. Basically, she is saying not to seek your validation externally. For her, it's Jesus who gives her unconditional validation.
As a working parent I appreciate the stress she was under when she began this journey. But I also see a tremendous amount of privilege. She was stressed because she was booking hundreds of speaking engagements because people wanted to hear her speak. Challenging, yes, but self-managed. She did have to get over own idea of what success meant, what she wanted her life to look like. But in the meantime, she had her family vacation house to go to. She didn't have the kind of job that only gave her two weeks vacation. She could spend a month by the water thinking about her life. That's extreme privilege. Even after making this decision, she's still in existential pain in Hawaii. Now, anyone can feel deep inner anguish, whether you are poor or a millionaire. But in Hawaii with your family?
Still and all, I liked Shauna. I think she'd be a nice friend or neighbor. The kind who over thinks everything, but a nice person. I wish her well and will keep hoping for the Present Over Perfect: Agnostic Style book from someone else. The irony is that I suspect this book put her more in demand. I hope she uses the knowledge she's gained to keep it manageable for her as she enjoys her quiet cup of coffee in her not-as-clean house.
I feel like I sound bitter. Jealous might be more like it. I'd love to dial it back. Work 20 hours instead of 40. Spend quality time with my child instead of hustling to keep food on the table. Or think about my life on a beach for a month. Maybe when I figure it out, I'll have Shauna narrate my audio book. She does have a great voice for radio - very soothing and calm, ideal for her story.