The Nice Life

A joyful guide to life that prizes “good enough” over striving for the best in order to have a creative, beautiful, and fulfilling life, even in difficult times

Attempting to live well when the world is coarse and we’re stretched thin may seem impossible, but according to journalist Rachel Wilkerson Miller, there’s no better time to tap into genuine loveliness and beauty. This book is a refreshing, joyful invitation to cultivate a life that feels abundant, sumptuous, and deeply satisfying. Despite all that is wrong, you can still have a nice life.

A nice life is cozy, it’s comfortable, it’s meaningful. It’s filled with moments of beauty. It’s for anyone interested in the #softlife trend. You can have a nice life even when facing illness, grief, or unemployment; when you’re stressed about work, politics, or climate change. Living well in hard times can be an act of resistance and self-love. How do we get there? By making an effort and living with intention.

Be curious: Treat your library card like a passport and embrace imagination and inspiration, every single day. Look for beauty: Engage with art and culture and bring more polish and elegance to your routine. Prioritize joy: Befriend interesting people and seek out activities that bring levity, laughter, color, and pleasure to your life. Live generously: Share your time, kindness, and creativity with others and create meaning.
The Nice Life guides us through hard moments with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and insight from more than twenty experts. It’s for anyone who wants to be on their phone less and in the real world more, making every day feel authentic, special, and full of delight.