The 1% Practice

From meditation teacher and social media sensation “Peaceful Barb,” a simple, science-backed framework to create a greater sense of purpose and lasting peace through mindful micro-practices. In The 1% Practice, bestselling author Barb Schmidt introduces a powerful idea: cultivating inner peace and purpose doesn’t require hours of meditation or major lifestyle changes. All you need is fourteen minutes a day—a mere one percent of your time—to pause, breathe, and reconnect with yourself. Drawing on decades of mindfulness practice and her personal journey through recovery and healing, Schmidt shows how small, repeatable moments of awareness can reshape how we respond to stress, relationships, and the pressures of everyday life. Blending personal storytelling, practical tools, and accessible neuroscience, The 1% Practice offers readers a flexible toolkit of micro-practices—from mindful breathing and journaling to self-compassion and healthy boundaries—that can be woven into even the busiest of schedules. For anyone feeling overwhelmed by the pace of modern life, Schmidt’s message is both liberating and empowering: the peaceful life you want begins with just one breath.