The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman (book review)

I can’t quite remember how I got Simply Tuesday in my hands. Probably a book review. But since the beginning of that book, I have adored it’s author, Emily P. Freeman. Reading that book was very pivotal in my life to see God in the ordinary, to live life as if God is in the simple things on a Tuesday. And so I am a fan of Emily P. Freeman. When she started her podcast, The Next Right Thing, back in 2017, I had my earbuds in and I listened to every word. I've possibly listened to every one of her podcast episodes since.

I never felt like I had decision fatigue but I really have been helped by the podcast. She walked with me through some hard times in my life: depression, my son’s second brain surgery, awful morning sickness, the birth of my fourth child, and the continuing every day chaos of life with four children.

When Emily announced that she was writing The Next Right Thing as a book, I was so thrilled. I have friends who are readers but not podcast listeners (and vice versa). I have probably recommended the podcast to every person I know, if for nothing else than to listen to Emily talk because she has a wonderful voice – my friend says it is hypnotic. But now my non-podcast listening friends can get the same depth, the same advice, the same breathing room for their souls. 

Reading through this book was like walking with an old friend. I was familiar with all of the content through the podcast but it was not full of worn out words. More like worn in, like a good pair of jeans (not the tight kind she talks about in the book haha). 

I have so many parts highlighted in the book, but I wanted to share just a few lines that I really love:

When I was going through a bout with depression, these words gave me hope. “If you feel stuck in a hopeless place today, I don’t want to rush you to joy. Maybe you need to spend a little time letting the darkness do what darkness does—nourish, strengthen, and hold. The darkness can invite us into a mystery, a place where we don’t know the answer. We know that seeds need to bury down deep in the ground, sometimes for a long, long time. Eventually, those seeds will break open and take root. But first they have to settle into the darkness. Still, that seed carries within it a narrative of hope. It just hasn’t lived into the whole story yet.” 

Having a child in middle school is a new experience for me. Being the mother of four children is a new experience for me. These lines were very encouraging to me, as I tend to be very hard on myself. “All of these are new beginnings, some joyful and some heartbreaking. But in all of these, you are a beginner. You have not been here before, with this particular set of circumstances, with these particular people, at this particular time in your one life.” 

I will leave you with these lines that really spoke to me because I am my own worst critic. And even when I get criticism or perceived criticism from others, I tend to play that over in my own head and rehash it out loud too much. “we’re not gonna give her words. The critic only lives if we let her live. And I don’t mean the critic that is helpful and has your best interest at heart. This isn’t someone in your co-listening group or one of your No Mentors. I mean the spiteful one, the petty one, the one who said those things way back when. Maybe the one who lives in your own head.”  

And so you have only a sampling of the words of wisdom of Emily P. Freeman. She is a treasure and this book, The Next Right Thing, is a treasure in itself. She has this quiz on TheNextRightThing.com that helps you discern your own decision-making style (mine is heart). 

Now, the book does not release for a few more days. So you still have the opportunity to purchase the book and get some freebies alongside it (purchase by April 2 - here's a link to the book on Amazon). One of the pre-ordering freebies is Emily‘s class Discern + Decide. Another is the audiobook, read by Emily! Now, I enjoy audiobooks and I would greatly enjoy one by her, but personally I want a hard copy of this book to write all my notes and underline all the things in it. But I have a friend who likes to look at the book and listen to the audiobook at the same time, so if you are like her, this is a wonderful opportunity for you to have a two for one deal. You can find out more information at TheNextRightThing.com. 

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own and may not be the same as yours.