Friday, October 26, 2012

The Power of Books

I know your lives don't revolve around when I do or do not post, so I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I took a brief (week-long) blogging break. I spent a lot of the time finishing up and shipping out orders in my shop (update on how the Heart Walk went soon!), editing seven college application essays for friends and family, as well as learning to put less pressure on myself overall. I have a tendency to set myself tons of goals that are doable, but not reasonably within the time frame I give myself. Then I burn out for a little while. So while I know I will never stop setting myself goals, I am learning the importance of and working on that whole "pacing yourself" thing. =)


I mentioned in my birthday post that I wanted to read the Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. My brother, Corbin, recommended it to me. In his birthday post, I also talked about how we used to read all of the time (he still does) and sometimes fight over who got to read a book first. I think the last time I read a book was in February of this year, and before that I'm not even sure. I always say "I don't have time for that," and it's certainly true... but let's be honest. It's not about having time for something, it's about making time for something. So I vowed to myself that I would shuffle around my priorities and make time to start reading again.

This past week has been a little crazy and stressful due to things I've mentioned above and other life events I'd prefer not to dive into at the moment. But no matter what is going on, as soon as I open that book and start reading, everything else disappears. Especially in a fantasy series such as the Mistborn Trilogy. For that brief time, I don't even exist - just the characters and the incredible world someone else has created. I've been feeling very strongly that I need a brief break from this life - a month-long vacation, to live somewhere else for a while... something. But in the end, I am still practical and realistic at heart, so I will stay here, physically. Books are a way to let your mind travel, at least. They have always been a favorite mental escape of mine and I can't believe I ever let myself forget that.

Last Friday, I had all these goals on my never-ending to-do list. When they involve someone else depending on me, I make those a priority. But most of them were just personal goals that really could wait a day, or a few. So instead, I started reading Mistborn. I set it aside for a few days to finish shop orders, editing the essays, and other tasks, but yesterday I picked it up and finished the first book. Mind blown. If you like fantasy series, you should absolutely read this trilogy. I haven't read the second or third books yet, but if they're anything like the first... they will be incredible. It's the kind of book that doesn't end with the last sentence, because it lingers in your mind. You think about it when you're laying in bed that evening and even the next day. The characters feel incredibly real, like you know them. It's more vivid than a movie, because a movie can't play directly in your mind. Someone else describes them, but in the end, you imagine everything with your own spin.

I'm learning that sometimes it's okay to give yourself a break. Sometimes it's okay to spend four hours reading a novel instead of writing a blog post, or go to bed at 11pm (instead of 4am) and finish editing those pictures the next day. So I have new goals for myself. I still want to do everything I'm doing now, but I'm going to learn some moderation. I'm going to be calmer. I'm going to make sure I'm healthy and less stressed. I already eat pretty well, but I'm going to start exercising. I'm going to read more. I'm going to put more effort/time/money/whatever-it-takes into charitable work. I'm going to make time to see my local friends or talk to my long-distance friends and family on the phone. I'm going to let myself be happy instead of just always being stressed. This means sometimes I'll only post once or twice in a week... while other times I'll post five or six times. And I'll be okay with it.

I do have lots of projects and other things I've been meaning to post for a while now, and I do plan to share them. So bear with me as I figure out how to be this person I want to be and lead the life I want. I also want to remind you that if you're like me - someone who used to read constantly but just doesn't have the time for it anymore - just do it. Set aside a few hours and start that book. If you're like me, you like to read books cover to cover in one sitting. Sometimes that isn't possible with the busyness of life these days, but even reading books in chunks is better than nothing at all.

Someday, I will write a book, or a few. I don't know what genre yet, and I don't have a plot. But it will happen. Books are one of the most powerful contributions anyone can make, and I think I deserve to at least let myself give it a try. In the meantime, I'll read the incredible contributions others have made to the world of reading. No excuses. Oh, and I'll let you know how the other two books turn out to be. =)

7 comments:

  1. Good Luck on writing your book someday. I have two in process, and it's taken me a couple years, and I'm still not finished. It's a slow process.

    Have a great weekend!

    Xo,
    Eeka

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    1. Eeka, that is AWESOME!! I would love to know more about the books you're writing. And I have no doubt it will be a long process... I'm a little afraid to start. Someday though! =)

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  2. Omg I feel like we are so alike! Lol I am always setting tons of goals for myself and feel like my life is rush rush rush to get everything done. Then I usually pass out at 1am from exhaustion or I would keep going! Haha I too need to find that balance in my life.

    If you have any tips please send them my way :)

    xo

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    1. Hah, I will... if I ever figure it out!! =D

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  3. Trust me, the Mistborn series is totally, completely worth it!

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  4. What a great post. I'm glad I stopped by today and read it. :) I don't know if you saw my VLOG I just did last week on my blog or not, but I kinda talked about time management and blogging. You should watch it if you HAVE TIME. ;) I don't read books often, but I am reading one right now and it does seem to help my stress a lot. Biking is something that I love and helps me A LOT with stress and it's exercise at the same time. Here is the link to my vlog if you are interested: http://www.mymodstyle.blogspot.com/2012/10/my-first-vlog-jessie-in-real-life.html (Have a great weekend!)

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  5. Sounds like a great set of books, I love fantasy so I will remember these!
    And take your time with your goals my friend, take one step at a time. The journey matters too, not just the endgoal.

    xx

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