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Tranquilista: Mastering the Art of Enlightened Work and Mindful Play
As defined by the author, “a tranquilista is a woman who embraces her many sides: spiritual (she’s a tranquility-seeker), creative (loves style), and entrepreneurial (calls her own shots). She hearts fashion and philanthropy…entertaining and enlightenment.…She is full of aspirations and always seeking inspiration. Oh, and she sparkles. Literally.”
Presenting a potpourri of real-world tips, inspiration from modern-day muses, and savvy sources for further exploration, Tranquilista offers everything you need to bring balance and bliss into your everyday life. With spirituality as its foundation, the book highlights creative individual expression and offers an entrepreneurial approach to everything from homemaking to brand building. Step-by-step projects and to-dos cover a tranquilista’s key pursuits: meditation, setting goals, personal style, living green, and even launching a nonprofit. The aim throughout is to help you realize — and revel in — your unique potential to make a splash and make a difference.
Presenting a potpourri of real-world tips, inspiration from modern-day muses, and savvy sources for further exploration, Tranquilista offers everything you need to bring balance and bliss into your everyday life. With spirituality as its foundation, the book highlights creative individual expression and offers an entrepreneurial approach to everything from homemaking to brand building. Step-by-step projects and to-dos cover a tranquilista’s key pursuits: meditation, setting goals, personal style, living green, and even launching a nonprofit. The aim throughout is to help you realize — and revel in — your unique potential to make a splash and make a difference.
200 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2009
13 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Wilson
9 books168 followersI'm a writer and psychotherapist who dreams of Paris and global animal welfare.
You'll often find me sipping fragrant green tea, practicing dégagés in pink ballet slippers, or hosting online events.
My work has been featured in US News & World Reports, Washingtonian, Fast Company, Yoga Journal, and Bella Grace.
I live in a petite pink palace in Washington, D.C. with a side of Paris.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 22, 2012
Loving this book so far. After reading a couple of other books with the theme of "slow down, stop working your life away, get your zen on", I found this on Amazon and it was just what I needed. As I'm developing my own business and finally DOING IT, I needed this 'guide' to zen and peace of mind in LIFE and in business. I have no doubt I will finish this during the week and get all of her other books. Every page is chock full of great tidbits and thinking points.....
August 16, 2013
The most practical, inspiring, creative book of 2010
Ditto both 2012 while I was in the process of finding a premises for my business and 2013 while I worked on glorious expansion plans!
Ditto both 2012 while I was in the process of finding a premises for my business and 2013 while I worked on glorious expansion plans!
February 7, 2023
My takeaways:
1. The importance of positive affirmations - Sharon Gannon - May all beings everywhere be happy and free. May the thoughts, words, & actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness & to that freedom for all.
2. Declare Bed Day
3. Let your lifestyle & business revolve around your values!
4. A small list of books to add to the I want to read list.
1. The importance of positive affirmations - Sharon Gannon - May all beings everywhere be happy and free. May the thoughts, words, & actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness & to that freedom for all.
2. Declare Bed Day
3. Let your lifestyle & business revolve around your values!
4. A small list of books to add to the I want to read list.
December 23, 2022
Nothing overly new in terms of life advice, but I find her much more palatable than Rachel Hollis
July 28, 2012
Parts 1 & 2 of this book focused on things like "sassy spirituality", "divine do-gooding" and "sustainable style." How cool! A little like the Gorgeously Green books, but I totally loved reading this! In the first 100 pages I was inspired to do more yoga, live more greenly, volunteer, work on my personal style, make my home office a more enjoyable place, and take time out for me- all thanks to Kimberly Wilson's words and writing activities. I was so inspired that I really did put the book down to go make some changes! How many books many you do that? Even her "savvy sources" were cool- and I added so many books to my "to-read" list in Good Reads.
Then I got to Part 3..."Decorate With Sprinkles: Our Entrepreneurial Topping." Huh? If I wanted to read a book about starting and branding a business I would have. Just like with her podcast (which I used to really enjoy), Kimberly Wilson has taken the entrepreneurship thing a little too far. That's awesome that she's the proud owner of twenty-gazillion start-ups, but just because someone isn't interested in being self-emplyed doesn't mean that should be bored stiff by more than half your book! She offers tips like: "Check out secondhand stores in your area to furnish your new [office] space." Well, duh, but NOT APPLICABLE to me and my life! Page 107 to the end were filled with really obvious tips about starting, owning and operating your own business. I don't understand why on earth it went in this direction- neither the back of the book nor the title gave any indication of this. If you've listened to Kimberly Wilson's podcast, read her blog, or have any inkling of what she's all about, you've probably already considered the idea of self-employment. If you've decided it's for you, you would have done all of this really obvious stuff already, and if you've decided (like me) that it isn't for you, you will really dislike the bulk of this book.
Anyway, the beginning sections still allowed me to give this book 3 stars, but man, that took a disappointing turn.
Then I got to Part 3..."Decorate With Sprinkles: Our Entrepreneurial Topping." Huh? If I wanted to read a book about starting and branding a business I would have. Just like with her podcast (which I used to really enjoy), Kimberly Wilson has taken the entrepreneurship thing a little too far. That's awesome that she's the proud owner of twenty-gazillion start-ups, but just because someone isn't interested in being self-emplyed doesn't mean that should be bored stiff by more than half your book! She offers tips like: "Check out secondhand stores in your area to furnish your new [office] space." Well, duh, but NOT APPLICABLE to me and my life! Page 107 to the end were filled with really obvious tips about starting, owning and operating your own business. I don't understand why on earth it went in this direction- neither the back of the book nor the title gave any indication of this. If you've listened to Kimberly Wilson's podcast, read her blog, or have any inkling of what she's all about, you've probably already considered the idea of self-employment. If you've decided it's for you, you would have done all of this really obvious stuff already, and if you've decided (like me) that it isn't for you, you will really dislike the bulk of this book.
Anyway, the beginning sections still allowed me to give this book 3 stars, but man, that took a disappointing turn.
July 21, 2013
I picked up this book because I really liked Wilson's other book on yoga. I tried to look past the pink cover and the goofy chapter titles ("sassy spirituality"; "divine do-gooding") because I wanted to get her take on practicing mindfulness in a jam-packed life. Instead I got a "girl's guide" manual to things I did not need advice on. The chapter on goal-setting and aspirations was great. Everything else was unnecessary. Not only is the second half of the book dedicated to starting your own business (which I'm pretty sure you'd buy a separate book on), Wilson seems to think her experience as a yoga instructor and business owner qualifies her to give advice on everything from attire (apparently you should never wear sneakers unless you are running) to the bikini line (wax, don't shave). I can't imagine how this relates to living a mindful life and it made me feel that Wilson judges everyone who enters her studio by their appearance. It was quite disappointing.
April 12, 2010
Are you creative? Would you call yourself spiritual? Do you also enjoy the beautiful things in life? If so, maybe you’re a tranquilista.
What is a tranquilista? This term describes a woman who is multi-dimensionally. She’s got a brain and is passionate about what she does with her life. She is also centered but more than willing to show off her unique flair. Most importantly she’s not afraid to show all sides of herself.
Tranquilista is a great book aimed at young women. So often, we feel trapped into being only part of ourselves but the truth is that we are all multidimensional. We should be celebrating all that we are and Tranquilista provides lots of examples on how to get started.
What is a tranquilista? This term describes a woman who is multi-dimensionally. She’s got a brain and is passionate about what she does with her life. She is also centered but more than willing to show off her unique flair. Most importantly she’s not afraid to show all sides of herself.
Tranquilista is a great book aimed at young women. So often, we feel trapped into being only part of ourselves but the truth is that we are all multidimensional. We should be celebrating all that we are and Tranquilista provides lots of examples on how to get started.
May 25, 2012
A good thing to know about this book: It's aimed at enrepreneurs, self-employed folks, and small business owners. It does not discuss "enlightened work and mindful play" in general- it's specific to freelancers & business owners. So it didn't really apply to me. It would have been nice if the title or description made that clear.
I like the message and information it contains. It has some good tips for staying sane while getting your business up and running, good marketing & PR tips, and things to keep in mind while growing your brand, things like that. But I don't have a business of my own. I'm not freelancing. So there's not much I can do with this information. It did really make me want to open a shop (any shop!) though.
I like the message and information it contains. It has some good tips for staying sane while getting your business up and running, good marketing & PR tips, and things to keep in mind while growing your brand, things like that. But I don't have a business of my own. I'm not freelancing. So there's not much I can do with this information. It did really make me want to open a shop (any shop!) though.
May 11, 2010
This book was kind of like a girly magazine. It had three parts spirituality, style, and entrepreneurial. I liked the first part of the book because it had great recommendations for further reading on yoga, spirituality and meditation. I also enjoyed the recommendations in the second part for further reading on style (not trendy). The last part on making your own business offered a few good tips, but really did not hit home with me. This was just an easy read to kick off my summer reading.
October 27, 2011
The book has caught my attention while browsing my friend's book collection on her desk. A book for the women of today who loves success and enjoying the spices of life. To all my friend this book is for us. :)
January 3, 2016
I really like this author's writing style. She passes on some great ideas for living an active life with balance and contribution to your community. This book has some great tips on opening your own business if that's something you're interested in and/or starting up your own nonprofit.
August 16, 2010
good tips, but mostly for those wanting to start their own business....
March 27, 2011
The book didn't live up to my expectations, but I admit that I was drawn by the cute cover. Sad, but true.
July 11, 2016
I can read this book and all her others over and over and over again! shes amazing, I have her iphone app and listen to her podcasts for years now! LOVE LOVE LOVE her!!!
August 13, 2013
fun read from a lovely yogini, blogger, meditation teacher, and savvy young businesswoman
March 15, 2016
Lots of insights about work and play, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship. Will definitely be coming back to this book for the useful tips.
October 24, 2014
I really liked this book. It made me think about changing some things in my life. Now, I only need to start making these changes instead of just thinking about them!
February 18, 2015
Great read, especially for female entrepreneurs. Chock full of good ideas. So many ideas that I tabbed them all, and go back one at a time until they all are tackled.
January 2, 2016
This book was a helpful resource as I launched my business!
January 8, 2020
Second reading.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews