A More Beautiful Way to Live
Nine Practices to Unlearn Habits of Anxiety, Fear, and Urgency
by Bethaney B. Wilkinson
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Pub Date Mar 03 2026 | Archive Date Mar 20 2026
Baker Academic & Brazos Press | Brazos Press
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Description
Many of us feel exhausted and anxious, but slowing down is possible with the right guide. In A More Beautiful Way to Live, spiritual director and recovering overachiever Bethaney B. Wilkinson offers a framework for reclaiming presence, rootedness, and rest. Weaving together rich storytelling and wisdom inspired by nature, she shares nine contemplative practices intended to help you
● cultivate rhythms of rest, healing, and deep connection;
● embrace a slower, gentler, and more life-giving pace;
● unlearn habits of anxiety, fear, and urgency; and
● show up wholeheartedly for what matters most to you.
With a foreword by Kaitlin B. Curtice, this book is an invitation to those longing for a slower, deeper, and more meaningful way to live.
Advance Praise
“In this gem of a book, Bethaney Wilkinson invites us to tend to our lives—to offer more care to our spirits, more curiosity to our longings, and more space to our bodies. Grab a notebook as you read. Bethaney’s questions helped me diagnose my own burnout, and her guidance on rituals provides a road map to exit crisis mode.”—Beth Silvers, cohost of Pantsuit Politics; coauthor of I Think You're Wrong (But I’m Listening) and Now What?
“For those seeking a sustainable cadence for living, A More Beautiful Way to Live offers practices for soul-strength and resilience, grounded in the wisdom of the natural world. Writing with the gentleness of an experienced spiritual director, Bethaney Wilkinson is a kind and thoughtful companion, inviting us to tend our inner lives with care, trusting that patient, diligent work to ripple outward into communal good.”—Krissy Kludt, author of I Could Walk Forever and Know So Little; executive director of Writing the Wild
“I couldn’t put this book down. I saw my own journey and those of my friends reflected in its pages. Bethaney invites us to slow down, tune out the noise, and reconnect with what truly matters in a world that pushes us to keep striving and performing. She writes with remarkable clarity, blending her personal story with practical guidance and actionable tools for anyone seeking a more intentional life—a more beautiful way. The book is both raw and uplifting, capturing the realities of burnout, the ache for rest, and the courage it takes to choose a more meaningful path. Whether you are overwhelmed, searching for direction, or simply ready for change, this book will leave you empowered and inspired.”—Faitth Brooks, podcaster and author of Remember Me Now
“What I want you to know as you begin this journey is that you can trust Bethaney. She is a guide, a teacher, a fierce woman who cares and loves deeply.”—Kaitlin B. Curtice, author of Everything Is a Story (from the foreword)
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781587436581 |
| PRICE | $21.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 192 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 2 members
Featured Reviews
Debbie F, Reviewer
n A More Beautiful Way to Live, Bethaney B. Wilkinson offers a gentle and deeply reflective invitation to slow down, heal, and reorient our lives away from urgency, anxiety, and fear toward presence, rest, and meaningful connection. As a spiritual director and recovering overachiever, the author brings both personal insight and thoughtful guidance to these pages, blending storytelling, contemplative practices, and wisdom inspired by nature.
The heart of the book lies in its nine contemplative practices — each one a heartfelt suggestion for how to cultivate rhythms of rest, embrace a slower pace, and show up more fully for what truly matters in life. Rather than offering quick fixes or productivity hacks, Wilkinson’s approach feels soulful and intentional, encouraging readers to nurture rootedness and deep connection with themselves, others, and the world around them.
One of the things I appreciated most about this book is how it models the very practices it teaches. The writing itself slows you down; moments of reflection and pauses are woven throughout, giving space to internalize the lessons instead of rushing past them. Wilkinson’s focus on unlearning — not just learning — is particularly powerful, reminding us that the habits of fear, urgency, and anxiety are often deeply seated and worthy of patient, compassionate work.
If you’re someone who feels continually pulled in too many directions, overwhelmed by expectations, or simply longing for a more meaningful and grounded way to live, this book is a reassuring companion. It doesn’t promise perfection, but it does offer a path toward a life that feels more beautiful, intentional, and connected.
Educator 253159
Like many self-help books for women, this one focuses on burnout and slowing down the pace of life. The author focuses on living in the present rather than constantly worrying about tomorrow...about slowing down and experiencing life rather than running through it. She provides real-world examples and easy-to-implement strategies for helping readers find a relaxing, yet productive, life rhythm.
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