Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living

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New York Times bestselling author Shauna Niequist invites you to look at the landscape of your own life, consider how it might feel to leave behind the pressure to be perfect, and begin the practice of simply being present in the middle of the mess.

A few years ago, Shauna found herself exhausted and isolated, her soul and body sick. She was tired of being tired and burned out on busy. It seemed like almost everyone she talked to was in the same boat: longing for connection, meaning, and depth, but settling for busy.

But then something changed. She decided to trade the hustle and bustle for grace, love, stillness, and play, and it changed everything. Shauna offers an honest account of what led her to begin this journey and a compelling vision for an entirely new way to live: soaked in rest, silence, simplicity, prayer, and connection with the people who matter most to us.

As you witness Shauna's journey, you'll be inspired to embark on one of your own. She gives you the encouragement you need to:

  • Put an end to people-pleasing tendencies
  • Embrace moments of simplicity, quiet, and stillness
  • Accept that you are worthy of love, belonging, and joy

Written in Shauna's warm and vulnerable style, this collection of essays focuses on the most important transformation in her life, and maybe yours too: leaving behind busyness and frantic living and rediscovering the person you were made to be. Present Over Perfect is a hand reaching out, pulling you free from the constant pressure to perform faster, push harder, and produce more while maintaining an exhausting image of perfection.

Join the over one million others who have already started walking this new path away from frantic pushing and proving and toward their true selves.

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Published Aug 9, 2016

240 pages

Average rating: 7.43

51 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Oree
Jun 25, 2025
6/10 stars
It was OK. The author made some good points. Sometimes it felt like she was making up problems especially when she was talking about when she was in Hawaii snorkeling with her child and then she realised something had to change.
Ask.Beans
Dec 23, 2025
9/10 stars
Great for moms stuck in perfectionism
WhitneyShow
Nov 10, 2025
10/10 stars
This one changed my whole mindset.
Ann Bredemeier
Oct 18, 2025
10/10 stars
This is a really important book for women (especially) to read. I see myself as a young single mother in these pages...feeling trapped and being so caught up in the acceptance rut. Now I see my daughters and others their ages trying to do it all...all the time trying to measure up to the standards of others and loosing who they are.
RustyQuarters
Jul 28, 2025
9/10 stars
I loved all the stories she told that related to the topic with Bible verses, quotes, etc.

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