Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this earnest outing, Hands Free Mama blogger Stafford (Live Love Now) outlines a plan for escaping the hectic world and rediscovering inner sources of joy. After the pressures of work, motherhood, and depression spurred a breakdown in her late 30s, Stafford realized her "do it all" attitude was getting in the way of her real priorities, leading her to embark on a "soul shift journey." To that end, she lays out an eight-part plan to reorient one's life and live according to one's values. A chapter on presence urges readers to carve out distraction-free time and committing to being hands-free during them. Elsewhere, Stafford elaborates on self-forgiveness ("Today matters more than yesterday. Your story is still being written") and self-care ("begin... giv yourself the same care you give others"). Though sometimes her broad aims--discovering ill-defined personal "truths," finding joy--can make for meandering reading, Stafford shows refreshing vulnerability and skillfully locates meaning in the everyday. Self-help readers will enjoy Stafford's account of putting her plan into action, even if some of the advice feels reheated. (Mar.)
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