How I managed to go 25 years without reading anything from Shauna Niequist is beyond me. In fact, I don’t even remember how I heard about Present Over Perfect. All I know is the moment I read the description, I knew it was something I needed to read.
We all have moments where we struggle with balance in our lives. We experience guilt over saying no. The fear that if we miss this one opportunity, there is no possibility for success. Struggling to build up the façade that we have everything together because we are so busy (as if that’s a good thing).
If that’s you, then you need to read Present Over Perfect. It will step on your toes and challenge you in the best way possible. You don’t have to be perfect, and being busy is not being perfect. Your busyness does not define your value or your happiness.
“It’s about learning to show up and let ourselves be seen just as we are, massively imperfect and weak and wild and flawed in a thousand ways, but still worth loving. It’s about realizing that what makes our lives meaningful is not what we accomplish, but how deeply and honestly we connect with the people in our lives, how wholly we give ourselves to the making of a better world, through kindness and courage.”
I have already experienced drastic changes in my levels of busyness through the years. I had a high school career where I was involved in every organization, activity and 2 sports teams. Not only was I a participant, but I was holding officer positions on local and state levels and constantly on the go. College allowed me to step back, but I still found myself involved in the organizations that fit into my niche. It was a good introductory lesson for me to focus my priorities, and that someone will step up.
Entering the working world was a very interesting transition. I never felt a huge push to join organizations or get involved and for a long time I felt guilty. Don’t get me wrong, I am still a firm believer that we should be active in our communities. But, I have also come to believe that we must prioritize our time, and that includes being selective in our involvement in organizations.
Present Over Perfect served as such a great encouragement. It not only reaffirmed my belief that I cannot feel guilty for those times I say “no” to being busy; it also challenged me to continue pushing toward being present. This is a book that I plan to read over and over again.
One of my favorite things about this book is the style in which it was written. Rather than it being filled with chapters of “here’s what you need to do and not do,” it was a collection of essays, moments in Shauna’s life that she found a lesson in. There is something so powerful in sharing our own experiences and lessons; a great reminder to myself that vulnerability can truly be a good thing when used correctly. This way of writing made the book come across less preachy, and more like you’re sitting down with a friend, sharing her heart with you.
I cannot do this book justice. I can only say that if you feel like you are drowning in busyness, that you are missing so many key moments in life because you cannot say “no”– you need to read this book.
And, in case my words don’t convince you, I’m sure Shauna’s will. Here is one of my favorite quotes (it was harder to decide on one than you would think):
“What would our lives be like if our days were studded by tiny, completely unproductive, silly, nonstrategic, wild and beautiful five-minute breaks, reminders that our days are for loving and learning and laughing, not for pushing and planning, reminders that it’s all about the heart, not about the hustle?”
