How to Walk into a Room

Emily P. Freeman is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk into a Room: The Art of Knowing When to Stay and When to Walk Away. As a spiritual director, podcast host of The Next Right Thing, and creator of The Soul Minimalist on Substack, hers has become a trustworthy voice of wisdom and direction for people as they make decisions in faith, work, and life. Emily holds a master’s degree in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Friends University where she serves as a residency lecturer. She and her husband, John, live in North Carolina where they are enjoying a newly empty nest with their three young adult children away at college.

“We love a new beginning. But we hate our awkward (or painful) endings. Emily P. Freeman offers gentle and practical wisdom for those of us who need a framework to know when to stay and when to go. This book is a balm to the soul and a kick in the pants from the kindest person you need to read.”  — Kate Bowler, New York Times bestselling author of Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved"What a relief that How to Walk into a Room exists. Emily P. Freeman is thoughtful, wise, and the perfect teacher for this oft-ignored, deeply essential life skill of navigating life's unknowns. This is a book you'll read again and again." — Kendra Adachi, author of the New York Times bestsellers The Lazy Genius Kitchen and The Lazy Genius Way“Level-headed . . . wise and compassionate resource for those looking to begin their next chapter.”  — Publishers Weekly“Our world is starved for wisdom—which is the knowledge of how to live well. This book is full of wisdom. The writing is classic Emily P. Freeman: elegant, gentle, thoughtful and honest. This book is uplifting and inspiring, while at the same time, challenging and convicting. Who can do that with such grace? Emily can, and does. I am so grateful for this book." — James Bryan Smith, author of The Good and Beautiful God“Endings can be challenging to navigate - indeed, this is one of the most frequent difficulties I see in my psychology practice. Emily P. Freeman offers a compassionate roadmap to managing these internal tensions in order to live a more meaningful and value-aligned life.” — Dr. Meg Arroll, author of Tiny Traumas"With tenderness, care, and vulnerability, Emily P. Freeman takes us by the hand and leads us on a journey of self-exploration for our own flourishing and as a consequence, the flourishing of those around us. This is a book I wish I had sooner and Emily is the spiritual director we’ve all needed."  — Kat Armas, author of Abuelita Faith and host of The Protagonistas podcast"In a time when so many of us have lost old pathways of belonging, Emily meets us in the middle of our anxiety and uncertainty with practical wisdom, gentle companionship, and good questions. If you are in a season of evolution, this book is so much more than a framework for discernment, it is a map for loving God, loving ourselves, and loving our world right in the midst of our uncharted places." — Sarah Bessey, New York Times bestselling author of A Rhythm of Prayer"With the wisdom of a listener and the language of a poet, Emily P. Freeman helps us discern where our lives call for adjustments and how to move forward in peace. Generous and vulnerable, How to Walk into a Room seals Freeman’s fate as one of the great spiritual guides of our time."  — Shannan Martin, author of Start with Hello and The Ministry of Ordinary Places“With refreshing vulnerability and magnetic depth, Emily gives us an evergreen guide for life’s myriad transitions. Having read her offering while navigating huge transitions of my own, the tears I cried while reading this book left me with the assurance that she gets it. More importantly, I finished the final paragraphs knowing that God sees me. This is undoubtedly a book to companion you for years to come.” — Ashlee Eiland, author of HUMAN(KIND) and Say Good"From the first page, Emily's gentle guidance will wrap you in clarity and peace as you navigate tricky questions like: Do I belong here? What now? Is it even safe to be myself? If you've ever wondered what to do next, if you should stay or go, or how to walk in your purpose, How to Walk into a Room is for you. This book felt like a balm to a battered soul."  — Sharon McMahon, creator of Sharon Says So“This well-written volume encourages users to ask the tough questions in their lives.” — Library Journal