Naked in the Now: Juicy Practices for Getting Present

by Marijke McCandless

Grand Prize Winner 2024 Mind & Spirit Chanticleer International Book Awards!
Gold Medal, 2024 New Age Nonfiction Readers Favorite Awards
Silver Medal, 2024 Nonfiction Wishing Shelf Book Awards
International Impact Book Awards, Personal Development
"Get it!" verdict Kirkus Reviews

Naked in the Juicy Practices for Getting Present is a unique and playful guide for anyone feeling disconnected from their vitality and uninspired to make a change. Short, fresh practices arouse your curiosity, help you change your mindset, teach you about the power of vulnerability and authenticity, and allow you to experience moments of delight - available right now. Through self-compassion, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence tools, we learn to relax, befriend our thinking minds, stretch our limits, and restore and rejuvenate our relationship with ourselves and others. With a commitment to practice only minutes daily, Naked in the Now forms the basis for a sustainable, enjoyable awareness and self-inquiry practice that will leave you feeling juicy again.

304 pages, Paperback

Published May 14, 2024

About the author

Marijke McCandless is an award-winning writer, mindfulness coach, and playfulness instigator who helps people shed their inhibitions and skinny dip in the present moment. Her latest book is Naked in the Now: Juicy Practices for Getting Present. Visit her at marijkemccandless.com. Connect with her on Instagram/Facebook/LinkedIn: @marijkemccandless.

Reviews

[Ellie Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun and approachable book to mindfulness and meditation. I loved one of the very first exercises so much, I’ve been using it regularly ever since; a way to regulate your breathing as if you have someone to co-regulate with - it’s really lovely and useful ❤️

[Cassandra Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naked in the Now guides you through simple short exercises to show you how to strip away the old conditioning to reveal your inner playful self. If you want to celebrate living every moment to the full, but feel blocked or inhibited, then this is the happy happy book for you !

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marijke’s playful nature and bite size exercises and meditations make it easy to get more present in my daily life. Her methods aren’t overly complex or difficult- and the best part is that they work! I highly recommend this book to everyone wanting to be more present, available and happy every day!

[Jithendra Jithu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naked in the Now: Juicy Practices for Getting Present by Marijke McCandless 🥰

Rating:5/5

Review:

👉In Naked in the Now, Marijke McCandless introduces us to a refreshing, playful journey into the world of mindfulness and self-discovery. This book is a breath of fresh air for anyone feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or simply craving a bit more joy in their life. Through a series of “juicy practices,” McCandless encourages readers to dive into the present moment, guiding us to find vitality and authenticity in the here and now.

👉McCandless’s approach to mindfulness is incredibly inviting. She takes powerful themes like vulnerability, self-compassion, and emotional intelligence and distills them into short, accessible practices that can be done in just minutes a day. Each practice is like a small gift—an opportunity to step back, breathe, and reconnect. Unlike many self-help books that can feel demanding, Naked in the Now is about finding joy in small, sustainable steps that are easy to incorporate into even the busiest schedules.

👉What makes Naked in the Now truly stand out is McCandless’s warmth and wisdom. Her writing doesn’t just teach us to “do” mindfulness; it invites us to experience it as a way of life. Instead of pushing readers to suppress or change their thoughts, she encourages us to “befriend” them—to approach our minds with curiosity and kindness. This focus on emotional awareness and authenticity allows readers to feel more connected, not only to themselves but also to the people around them. It’s a gentle reminder that mindfulness is more than a quiet practice; it’s a vibrant way of being fully present and alive.

👉McCandless’s exercises are designed to awaken a fresh perspective, helping us release limiting beliefs, change old patterns, and celebrate moments of connection. She brings a sense of playfulness to mindfulness that makes the journey feel like an adventure rather than a task. Each practice nudges us to step out of our comfort zones, whether by embracing vulnerability, finding delight in the mundane, or simply letting go of control and being open to whatever the moment brings.

Happy reading 😁 😁

#bookreview

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Naked in the Now: Juicy Practices for Getting Present
Author: Marijke McCandless

Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 5/5
Of the 15 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘clarity of message’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
“For anybody who wants to change the way they live life (in a positive way). Written in a chatty, lively style; as a result, it’s very accessible.” Female reader, aged 55
“Mindfulness and playfulness all in the same book! What a treat. I loved the way the author put over her message. There’s no preaching here; just a warm, reassuring way of living happily.” Female reader, aged 58
“I think anybody looking for thoughtful tips on ‘loving yourself’ and ‘enjoying life’, you can’t go wrong with Naked in the Now. I love the title too!” Female reader, aged 42
“Learn how to connect better with yourself – and others. A light, almost playful read, well-organised, accessible, and often thought-provoking. You get the feeling, reading this, that the author is determined for her readers to find joy.” Male reader, aged 69

To Sum It Up:
‘Accessibly written and highly informative. A SILVER MEDAL WINNER and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Bert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author McCandless is the kind of person I bet I'd love to go hiking and camping with.....away from life's routines, I imagine our discussions would be the kind that take you away from ALL of daily life and into self-awareness and honesty. But I must settle for the book, which is packed with stories from her experience and ideas of how to explore one's self and the relationship with those most close.

With topics ranging from journaling to touch to meditation to breath and an overlay of a usually unstated eroticism, Marijke leads readers in exploring scores of ideas about how to connect with oneself and others. She weaves a delightful thread throughout -- a subtext that is a love story of her decades-long relationship with her partner. I read the book in almost random pieces -- the structure allows that freedom, but it would be an interesting experience to try it front to back. Perhaps I will!

I received this book for free from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Stephanie Affinito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me by a virtual friend who shares my love of reading, writing, meditation, wellness and re-enchantment. It's a provocative book that invites readers to set down our stuff and strip everything down to what really matters most: you, us, the present. I need this book desperately. How do I know? Because I'm fighting it. I am fighting the invitation to rest, to pause, to be, to play, to love. Crazy, right? But when we are in go-go-go mode and struggling with certain life phases, transitions and relationships, we tend to hold on tighter instead of loosening our grip a bit. But practice by practice (there are 34 of them!), I'm doing just that and I'm learning a lot about myself in the process. In just ten minutes a day, I'm learning how to reclaim myself: my body, my mind and my spirit.

[Anne Moose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much of this beautifully-written book really speaks to me. I have no doubt I’ll return to it again and again when I feel the need to ground myself and engage in a little self love. (Like a lot of people, I have a voice in my head that is a hundred times more critical of myself than I am of others.) In Naked in the Now, Marijke McCandless skillfully guides the reader through self-examination, well-considered ways of thinking about ourselves and others, and simple exercises that one can practice to let go of negative thoughts and work towards finding some inner peace. I highly recommend this wonderful book to anyone who might need a little thoughtful guidance toward having a healthier emotional life. There is a lot of wisdom here.

[Dilia Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is short, and sometimes we need to shake things up, break out of our comfort zones, and explore new possibilities. Naked in the Now by Marijke McCandless is the perfect guide for doing just that. This book helps dismantle the walls of expectations we build around ourselves, allowing our true essence to shine through. Marijke encourages a sense of play and curiosity that we often shy away from, giving us permission to be our true, vulnerable selves without judgment. It's an excellent read to enjoy in the great outdoors, sure to expand your horizons and refresh your spirit.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naked in the Now helped me become more present with my partner and showed us exciting and fun ways to connect on a deeper level, both in the bedroom and in other areas of our lives - but the bedroom part was really fun. I love the practice of setting a sacred space before engaging intimately so that we enter the act intentionally. The practices are approachable and digestible allowing for straightforward integration. The writing is relatable and conversational, it feels like you are being guided by a good friend. I cannot recommend this book enough!

[Sandy Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

McCandless' Naked in the Now truly shows you a new and wonderful way to connect with yourself. Its approachable, raw and vulnerable, yet compassionate and guiding. She is a mentor, teacher, friend, and buddy. You feel both totally comfortable, yet out of your comfort zone when needed. I highly reocmmend this book to someone looking to connect with themselves in a new and unstrutured (yet structured!) way :)

[Evelyn Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a talented author full of amazing insights! I interviewed her on my podcast called Please Me! and we talked all about it! It was a fantastic interview, and the book is equally amazing! I'm definitely adding this book to the list for a book club I am forming for Please Me! Podcast Listeners! A must read!

[Cassandra McCandless · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most approachable and helpful personal growth book I've ever read!! Naked in the Now provides easy, simple, warmhearted practices for befriending one's self and living with presence. It is like working on yourself with a kind friend (Marijke) by your side, gently encouraging you the whole way.

[Marla Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marijke presents the art of meditation in a fun and accessible way by offering practical exercises. She shares her personal experiences and insights entertainingly as she guides the reader on a journey to better understand the self and be present in the now.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a wonderfully light touch Marijke invites us to let go of conditioned thoughts and relax, to stop taking things so seriously. Gentle, but powerful, thoughts and practices encourage inner reflection in such an accepting way. I looked forward to picking it up each day!

[Lecy Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you struggle with mindfulness, this might be a great resource for you. I loved how McCandless shares simple practices to teach the reader how to settle into their body and let go of all the chaos in the world of our minds. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Stephanie Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful guide to a more present, spiritual life

McCandless shares a wealth of experience and practices to love our bodies, ourselves, and each other. A book to return to again and again.

[Michelle Balacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Worth a read for sure.

[Malena · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun reading Marijke's stories and trying out her practices!! An amazing gift for the women in your life