The Soul Minimalist

The Soul Minimalist

Share this post

The Soul Minimalist
The Soul Minimalist
How can we know what's ours to do?

How can we know what's ours to do?

Learning from our survey results (we want to hear from you!)

Emily P. Freeman's avatar
Emily P. Freeman
Feb 27, 2025
∙ Paid
123

Share this post

The Soul Minimalist
The Soul Minimalist
How can we know what's ours to do?
27
9
Share

Hi Soul Minimalist!

This is the time of year when we send out our annual reader and listener survey. If you’re reading this before Monday March 3, there’s still time to fill it out. I’m always interested in knowing more about you, what you want more and less of, and how my particular offerings might meet you in your particular space.

Here’s me in my natural habitat, where I’ll sit and study survey results.

One question I’m paying attention to right now is this one in the section about Your Decisions: “When it comes to my current life, here's where I need the MOST insight, help, and/or perspective.”

Respondents can choose up to THREE from the following options:

  • Developing spiritual practices/rhythms that fit me/my life

  • Discerning what is mine to do

  • Finding community

  • Finding peace in the midst of daily chaos

  • How to be okay even when other people are not okay (kids, spouse, friends, parents, co-workers)

  • Knowing how to hear God’s voice

  • Knowing and naming what I actually want

  • Major life decisions

  • Navigating relationships with loved ones with whom I disagree politically

  • Overcoming decision fatigue

  • Rebuilding after a major life transition

  • Simplifying (home, social media, relationships, etc)

  • Theological discernment (ex: women in leadership, LGBTQ+ inclusion)

  • Time management

  • What it looks like to follow Jesus in this current cultural moment

  • Vocational clarity

Of course there are a countless things that could have been on that list but because the purpose of the survey is to help me shape future content, I included only the things that I believe I have some ability to speak to or offer some support in.

Here are the FIVE that have been checked the most so far (remember, respondents could check up to three):

  1. 32% — Discerning what is mine to do

  2. 30% — How to be okay even when other people are not okay

  3. 29% — Knowing and naming what I actually want

  4. 25% — Developing spiritual practices/rhythms that fit me/my life

    25% — Finding peace in the midst of daily chaos

  5. 21% — What it looks like to follow Jesus in this current cultural moment

Take the Survey

We’ll close it up on Monday March 3rd by the end of the day. Thanks so much if you’ve already taken the time to do this!

These percentages may change (I’ll be happy to share the final results with you in a future post) but I’m struck by the top result so far: that of these options, 1149 people say where they need the most insight, help, or perspective is in knowing what is ours to do.

I’ll have more to say about this over time, but here are a couple of questions I’m using to help determine what is mine to do today.

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 emily p. freeman
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share