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Restore My Soul: Reimagining Self-Care for a Sustainable Life
How is your self-care? These soul-restoring practices lead to a rich, satisfying life.
Have you tried self-care but found that you still feel overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, and are struggling emotionally? The most effective efforts aren't desperate last-ditch attempts but practiced daily--moment by moment and hour by hour.
Janice McWilliams, a therapist and spiritual director, uses the life of Jesus as her model to help her clients achieve new levels of peace and fulfillment. In Restore My Soul, Janice shares her practical counseling insight to help you understand and practice the essential skills to
manage your thoughts,
live well with your emotions,
establish soul-restoring rhythms, and
live a fulfilling life.
With these practices, you'll become increasingly comfortable and confident in working through your inner experiences in real time. Instead of burning out, you can follow the lead of Jesus toward a sustainable, fulfilling life.
Have you tried self-care but found that you still feel overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, and are struggling emotionally? The most effective efforts aren't desperate last-ditch attempts but practiced daily--moment by moment and hour by hour.
Janice McWilliams, a therapist and spiritual director, uses the life of Jesus as her model to help her clients achieve new levels of peace and fulfillment. In Restore My Soul, Janice shares her practical counseling insight to help you understand and practice the essential skills to
manage your thoughts,
live well with your emotions,
establish soul-restoring rhythms, and
live a fulfilling life.
With these practices, you'll become increasingly comfortable and confident in working through your inner experiences in real time. Instead of burning out, you can follow the lead of Jesus toward a sustainable, fulfilling life.
- GenresChristianNonfiction
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 8, 2022
21 people are currently reading
574 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 28, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up: Have you ever been stuck on a particular issue and thought “I probably need counseling for this but can’t afford it”? Have you ever felt frustrated at the busyness of life and feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated? Have you ever wanted to do more “self care” but don’t have time or money for what society tells you that looks like? I know I have for all of those and this book was a huge, practical help.
This book challenges the culture’s idea that self care is getting a massage or pedicure or doing retail therapy. These ideas are shallow and don’t last or help in the long run. What does help is learning to manage your thoughts and emotions, learning to put your phone away, and doing things that really matter to you. This book will honestly change your life and help you become a more centered person if you let it.
There were a few things I disagreed with or, at least, wish were phrased differently. One being the idea of stopping yourself from letting your thoughts and emotions run away with you. Yes, we should absolutely do that, but there was little mention of taking these worries and emotions to God in the moment. And I’m not entirely sure that John 10:10 means God wants you to feel fulfilled. The way the author phrased it bordered a little too close to “God just wants you to be happy” for me. He wants us to be holy which will make us happy in the long run but not always in the short term. But the rest of the advice here was incredibly practical and helpful.
I think I might make this one of the books I read every year, just to make sure I’m keeping my thoughts and emotions and habits in check or whenever I’m struggling with an issue and need some help feeling more centered.
This book challenges the culture’s idea that self care is getting a massage or pedicure or doing retail therapy. These ideas are shallow and don’t last or help in the long run. What does help is learning to manage your thoughts and emotions, learning to put your phone away, and doing things that really matter to you. This book will honestly change your life and help you become a more centered person if you let it.
There were a few things I disagreed with or, at least, wish were phrased differently. One being the idea of stopping yourself from letting your thoughts and emotions run away with you. Yes, we should absolutely do that, but there was little mention of taking these worries and emotions to God in the moment. And I’m not entirely sure that John 10:10 means God wants you to feel fulfilled. The way the author phrased it bordered a little too close to “God just wants you to be happy” for me. He wants us to be holy which will make us happy in the long run but not always in the short term. But the rest of the advice here was incredibly practical and helpful.
I think I might make this one of the books I read every year, just to make sure I’m keeping my thoughts and emotions and habits in check or whenever I’m struggling with an issue and need some help feeling more centered.
January 30, 2023
Essential for those who feel out of balance, but don't know what to do... this is the best book I have read on personal soul care. Can't recommend it enough.
March 6, 2024
This book will be going into my mental collection of Christian books that I often re-read and recommend (along with The Next Right Thing as well as Gentle and Lowly). I read it quickly this time because I’m going through some books to see which ones I want to add to a little library for mentoring, and this one will definitely be an add and probably required reading. Now, I want to read it again more slowly and go through all the practical exercises myself. This book is just an amazing, concise, immensely practical resource for helping learn how to manage thoughts, emotions, and the tasks of life in a way that are sustainable and fulfilling. It helps you make small changes so that you’re less anxious and scattered and more focused on the moment and what God has before you right now. Super helpful for establishing good life patterns and reducing the likelihood of burnout. The author’s counseling experience really shines through and provides so many helpful stories and strategies.
April 4, 2023
This book was really eye-opening to how to live a sustainable life with Jesus. It talked about how to experience emotions and the author even talks about real life counseling appointments that correlate to the book, with confidentiality of course. She also provides practical ways to restore our soul. It took awhile to get through but the content was really good!
May 20, 2025
Excellent, practical read for anybody and everybody who wants life to feel better. It takes self-care to a new level. Great read.
November 20, 2022
I just recommended this book to a church staff team that is about to do a preaching series on emotions. Truth be told, as a pastor myself, you'd think I have understanding and managing my thought life and emotions all figured out. I don't! So this book has been truly helpful to me!
Best thing is, Janice's voice, stories and wisdom make me laugh a lot when I'm listening to her book on Audible. She's funny and she's a clear writer... but so relatable and down to earth and easy to connect with.
She also has a useful pdf with all the skills described that she shares with the reader once you're halfway thru listening/reading. I find her material super practicable. As in, I can actually retain her recommendations and find them changing my thought life for the better. She gives tips on how to notice and improve one's thought patterns... how and why to actually name, allow for, and experience emotions... based on Jesus' examples and compiled/aggregated stories of client interactions.
I'm finding this book so helpful personally to me, and I'm so glad Janice took the time and had the discipline to co create such a wonderful book with the Lord!!
[As an aspiring writer myself, I've learned so much from her on the emotional interiority front AND how to do a life-giving and fun book launch. :) Hopefully someday both will come in handy if/when I ever finish my book and get published]
Highly recommend this book to others!!
Best thing is, Janice's voice, stories and wisdom make me laugh a lot when I'm listening to her book on Audible. She's funny and she's a clear writer... but so relatable and down to earth and easy to connect with.
She also has a useful pdf with all the skills described that she shares with the reader once you're halfway thru listening/reading. I find her material super practicable. As in, I can actually retain her recommendations and find them changing my thought life for the better. She gives tips on how to notice and improve one's thought patterns... how and why to actually name, allow for, and experience emotions... based on Jesus' examples and compiled/aggregated stories of client interactions.
I'm finding this book so helpful personally to me, and I'm so glad Janice took the time and had the discipline to co create such a wonderful book with the Lord!!
[As an aspiring writer myself, I've learned so much from her on the emotional interiority front AND how to do a life-giving and fun book launch. :) Hopefully someday both will come in handy if/when I ever finish my book and get published]
Highly recommend this book to others!!
December 15, 2022
In Restore My Soul, McWilliams points out that many popular examples of self-care become ways to avoid or temporarily escape thoughts and emotions. As a result, we come back from those breaks, log them as a checkmark on our to-do list, and then dive back into the same sea of stress. In this honest and often humorous book, McWilliams provides a step-by-step approach to help people lean into life, with life-sustaining self-care. Her methodical approach centers on recognizing and experiencing thoughts and emotions without allowing them to take over and hijack the rest of one’s day, week, or life.
Christians will find Restore My Soul extremely relatable. The author uses her own faith and her deep knowledge of the Bible to illustrate how acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) principles can be used to convert empty days into fulfilling days. She gently but firmly disabuses religious teachings that shame us for our anxieties and analyzes Biblical themes which support acceptance of our emotions. As a result, many readers’ feeling of being supported by their faith will likely deepen and grow.
As a non-religious person who was raised as a Christian, I personally found the weaving of faith and proven therapeutic methods such as cognitive behavior therapy and ACT to be familiar, relevant, and helpful. I hope many other readers will find Restore My Soul to be similarly supportive in their individual and personal journey towards a more fulfilling life.
Christians will find Restore My Soul extremely relatable. The author uses her own faith and her deep knowledge of the Bible to illustrate how acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) principles can be used to convert empty days into fulfilling days. She gently but firmly disabuses religious teachings that shame us for our anxieties and analyzes Biblical themes which support acceptance of our emotions. As a result, many readers’ feeling of being supported by their faith will likely deepen and grow.
As a non-religious person who was raised as a Christian, I personally found the weaving of faith and proven therapeutic methods such as cognitive behavior therapy and ACT to be familiar, relevant, and helpful. I hope many other readers will find Restore My Soul to be similarly supportive in their individual and personal journey towards a more fulfilling life.
December 17, 2022
Janice McWilliams book is so needed today. I found her book to be so practical, and living in a post-pandemic world, I find that the stresses and tensions stirred up during these past few years are wreaking havoc everywhere. I especially liked McWilliams' ideas around taking better breaks, and her knowledge about the Enneagram I found very helpful.
I felt that some discussion around the connection or differentiation between self-care and soul-care was missing. I don't think they are the same, but what is the connection? Sure, the author talks about "Barbie" self-care. I think most of us who value a spiritual life can see how that is not connected to the soul. I was hoping for more interaction with someone like a, Curt Thompson, who has written a lot about the soul. McWilliams writes, "Self-care that restores the soul involves a commitment to caring well for our inner worlds" (15). With a title of "Restore My Soul," I think I just expected more discussion around the nature of the soul and its intersection with self-care.
Nevertheless, if you find yourself saying, "Why do I not do the things I say I want to do?" or the only answer you find to answer someone's question about how you're doing is "Busy," buy and read this book. But just don't read it! Use it to begin to change your rhythms!
I felt that some discussion around the connection or differentiation between self-care and soul-care was missing. I don't think they are the same, but what is the connection? Sure, the author talks about "Barbie" self-care. I think most of us who value a spiritual life can see how that is not connected to the soul. I was hoping for more interaction with someone like a, Curt Thompson, who has written a lot about the soul. McWilliams writes, "Self-care that restores the soul involves a commitment to caring well for our inner worlds" (15). With a title of "Restore My Soul," I think I just expected more discussion around the nature of the soul and its intersection with self-care.
Nevertheless, if you find yourself saying, "Why do I not do the things I say I want to do?" or the only answer you find to answer someone's question about how you're doing is "Busy," buy and read this book. But just don't read it! Use it to begin to change your rhythms!
December 18, 2022
This book is the perfect blend of inspiration and practical tools. The author uses engaging stories and humor to clearly communicate and affirm the need for a deeper and more sustainable model of caring for ourselves as perfectly imperfect humans. Not only did I love this book enough to purchase 12 copies for friends, family and coworkers, but also to write my first Amazon book review.
As a highly sensitive human determined to live with passion and purpose, self care has often felt like one more growth opportunity... or, in the voice of my inner critic: “one more way I’m not doing enough”. This book is filled with practical, accessible tools and it is written from a perspective of grace, truth and encouragement. I am grateful for this reminder that we are not alone in the struggle understand our thoughts and emotions, or in our need to create healthy and sustainable life rhythms. This is a book I know that I will read again and again because it offers such practical tools to help us learn, grow and experience the peace and joy we all long for.
As a highly sensitive human determined to live with passion and purpose, self care has often felt like one more growth opportunity... or, in the voice of my inner critic: “one more way I’m not doing enough”. This book is filled with practical, accessible tools and it is written from a perspective of grace, truth and encouragement. I am grateful for this reminder that we are not alone in the struggle understand our thoughts and emotions, or in our need to create healthy and sustainable life rhythms. This is a book I know that I will read again and again because it offers such practical tools to help us learn, grow and experience the peace and joy we all long for.
November 3, 2022
I like how practical this book is. Whole chapters on developing skills needed to manage your thoughts, live well with your emotions, establish self-restoring rhythms, and live a fulfilling life are offered here. I highlighted a lot of passages especially in the chapter on thoughts, and plan to go through this book more thoroughly at a later date.
The author writes really well and includes a lot of anecdotes and stories from her years as a therapist. There is some basis on Enneagram but this is not apparent nor necessary in understanding any of the information. (An appendix on soul restoration by Enneagram types can be found at the end of the book.)
5 stars from me. Really worthwhile, especially if you want more rest and fulfillment in your life.
The author writes really well and includes a lot of anecdotes and stories from her years as a therapist. There is some basis on Enneagram but this is not apparent nor necessary in understanding any of the information. (An appendix on soul restoration by Enneagram types can be found at the end of the book.)
5 stars from me. Really worthwhile, especially if you want more rest and fulfillment in your life.
June 5, 2023
I came to Cha for tea with Elise. I came across Esther and Maggie! We caught up a little bit on where we are on our lives. It made me really happy to see them. 😊
I got this book attending an Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Fall Conference. Janice McWilliams had been our speaker.
As one reviewer has written about the book, this book is a recipe book for the soul!
There are little, mighty acts you can make to pursue a fulfilled life. There are practices I want to work on committing to. It verbalizes the human longing to be connected to so many things through anecdotes and the step by step practices outlined.
Rating: 10/10 with an emphasis of picking up this book to learn more about soul care.
I got this book attending an Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Fall Conference. Janice McWilliams had been our speaker.
As one reviewer has written about the book, this book is a recipe book for the soul!
There are little, mighty acts you can make to pursue a fulfilled life. There are practices I want to work on committing to. It verbalizes the human longing to be connected to so many things through anecdotes and the step by step practices outlined.
Rating: 10/10 with an emphasis of picking up this book to learn more about soul care.
December 14, 2022
I'm not sure what I thought when I got this book. Oh another self-help book, yea. But I was happily surprised that it was so much more than that. McWilliams takes her deep knowledge as a therapist and her deep understanding of scripture and puts the two together in an amazingly helpful and practical way.
I'm also a therapist and a spiritual person and I was quite surprised at how she was able to do this so well. What a thoughtful, helpful, and practical book that everyone should read.
I'm grateful that people are beginning to understand how spirituality and therapy can work together for our healing. Janice has done a fantastic job of marrying these two disciplines.
Well Done!
I'm also a therapist and a spiritual person and I was quite surprised at how she was able to do this so well. What a thoughtful, helpful, and practical book that everyone should read.
I'm grateful that people are beginning to understand how spirituality and therapy can work together for our healing. Janice has done a fantastic job of marrying these two disciplines.
Well Done!
December 1, 2022
I just loved everything about this book. It was well organized, I loved the writing style and tone, and the content was so applicable and practical. I have never felt the need for a therapist, but if this author could be my therapist, sign me up! Actually, that's what I feel this book is: therapy for all people who "don't need therapy". I plan on rereading this book multiple times to get the full benefit.
January 29, 2026
This book was so amazing! Just the help I needed as an overly anxious person who often thinks worst case scenario. 🙈 I can honestly say, it has already been a help with my anxious and “unhelpful” thoughts. I recognize when my thoughts aren’t good for me, and I’ve put to practice some mind shift exercises to help me cope with my anxiety. I am so glad my mom recommended me to read this book, and I cannot wait to further implement all of the practices I learned!
December 17, 2022
Restore my soul is one of the most accessible, thorough, and practical soul care books I've ever read. Her stories from her own journey as well as working with her clients provide excellent models and examples of what it looks like to implement healthy self-care for a sustainable life. If you or someone you love is looking to do some good soul work any time soon, this is the book for you.
December 17, 2022
What an amazing resource this book is! Restoring My Soul is filled with practical wisdom for how to relate to our thoughts and feelings in more helpful ways. I love that in each chapter Janice offers suggestions and ideas to encourage practice of the concepts she has covered. This will be one of those books I will circle back to again and again.
February 16, 2024
Janice was kind enough to gift IV staff with this book at one of the celebrations. I am so grateful I decided to pick this up. In a season of discontent and frustration…feeling not fulfilled in ministry. This book is such a good guidance filled with practical skills! I especially like the comparison between Barbie self care and true soul care. I highly recommend!
July 28, 2025
read for class. very healthy book for anyone to read.
February 10, 2024
Compelling, Eye-Opening, Possibly Life-Changing!
So, I am well versed in managing my schedule, my grocery shopping and my exercising--but have given little thought about the need to intentionally MANAGE my personal world of thoughts, emotions and inner experiences.
Don't they just have "a mind of their own"?
Well, apparently not! McWilliams' book, Restore My Soul is a delightful and easy read for those who are open to learning some essential management skills. These tools can help us to experience the true and full life that God intends for us. Written with humor and vulnerability you will find inspirational insights and relevant practices. I have plans on buying at least 10 more copies for friends and family.
So, I am well versed in managing my schedule, my grocery shopping and my exercising--but have given little thought about the need to intentionally MANAGE my personal world of thoughts, emotions and inner experiences.
Don't they just have "a mind of their own"?
Well, apparently not! McWilliams' book, Restore My Soul is a delightful and easy read for those who are open to learning some essential management skills. These tools can help us to experience the true and full life that God intends for us. Written with humor and vulnerability you will find inspirational insights and relevant practices. I have plans on buying at least 10 more copies for friends and family.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews