I finally got around to reading this book and I don't know why it took me so long. The title feels so lofty and yet John did a good job of small bites. He didn't overwhelm me with knowledge to the point I didn't know where to start, but he started in slow and added as he went along. I was left with the festering thought that I need less of my phone and more of real life, something that I have known, and this book helped confirm that. I need to get outside, to absorb the beauty around me. I have a hard time just sitting and watching and soaking. I want to scroll my phone or read a book, not just sit and ponder.
John recommended the One-Minute Pause throughout the day: just a chance to stop, release to God what is going on in your life, receive the beauty around you, unplug from technology, etc. I need the reminders to just stop and seek God.
A quote from him on our phones and social media: "What has become the normal assumption of input is numbing the soul with artificial meaning and purpose while in fact the soul grows thinner and thinner through neglect, forced by the very madness that passes for a progressive life. We are literally being forced into the 'shallows' of our life."
"The difficult truth we don't want to admit is this: the way you treat your own heart is the way you'll end up treating everyone else's" How true is that? If I'm struggling with myself, I am not usually super kind and caring to those around me.
I really enjoyed this book. My takeaway is to soak in the beauty. Beauty can heal and to just be okay to sit and enjoy the view. I don't have to be doing something all the time. God can't speak to me when I keep my mind and brain so full He can't get a word in edgewise.
I received this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Get Your Life Back was in turn informative, thought-provoking, and convicting, and yet still an enjoyable and easy read. Perfect for the current moment, when I need the reminder to put away the news, technology, and stop "doom-scrolling" and focus on the life I have right in front of me.

This has certainly been a fitting book for the season. I received my review copy (and purchased an audible copy) not long before going into lockdown and I wondered if this title would be out of step with my current life, however it couldn’t have been more applicable.

This book contained a strong challenge for evaluating my choices, especially during an extended lockdown. (I’m on day 97). Taking realistic steps for technology overload was a particularly helpful chapter, as was the chapter on benevolent detachment. The chapter on getting outside felt a little sad, when I can’t necessarily put that into practice in its fullest extent at the moment, but the truth of it remains.

I’m also using the pause app, which was developed alongside this book and it has been significantly helpful.

I really have benefited from this book and enjoyed the fact that it was John who read the audio book. I would recommend it.

Get your life back was a very good read about not becoming distracted by technology and social media but to be more present and intentional about our moments and days. John Eldridge filled each page with wisdom, advice and experiences to captivate the readers attention. It is a great book to read during this time of a pandemic when it seems like screen time is on the rise. It was an easy read with a lot of great truth and I would highly recommend.

Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge brings another homerun by the author. I enjoy Mr. Eldredge’s candor as he shares his own life and offers his experience to help us understand several different ways to rescue our lives from the busyness this world pulls us into.

I highly recommend this book for Christians in every part of the faith journey, and even those who haven’t met Christ or aren’t quite convinced the Christian life is for them will find helpful strategies to Get Back to really living!

Well written, thoughtful book that’s needed for today! It’s full of practical things that we can implement in our daily lives and packed with research too.

What a poignant and necessary read for our time! I didn't know what to expect when I picked this one up, but I've loved everything John Eldredge has written, so I didn't even note what it was about. This is such a needed read. The author has looked at the busy, busy - rush, rush world that we live in - where we're always required to be available for our jobs, where social media brings out the worst in us, and where the tragedies that happen every day invade our world at the moment they happen thanks to the internet/media. And how all of this frazzled state of living has completely drained our souls and left us yearning. Mr. Eldredge realistically paints a picture of where we are and gives practical steps for obtaining the needed rest for our souls - emptying them of the busy-ness, and filling them with God instead. In giving up the things that bring us temporary relief and instead gaining restoration. I actually found myself letting out the deep sigh as I read. If you have ever felt frazzled or completely drained, if you find yourself angry for no good reason, I would recommend this book. If you're just trying to figure out how to get rid of some of the things bogging down your soul, I recommend this book. Definitely a 5 star read!

Special thanks for the publisher and NetGalley for an ecopy of this book. I was under no obligation to write a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

"Get Your Life Back" is a wonderfully encouraging book from renowned author John Eldredge. In his book, he walks his readers through the importance of caring for our soul in ways that will please God. I was especially intrigued by his practice of the "One Minute Pause." I found this book to be very practical and helpful, while also consistently steering the readers back toward the one relationship that truly matters: our relationship with the Lord. I highly recommend this book!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.