First of all, let me explain a little about the picture above. All my things to wear for a 'walk for a good cause'. My daughter and I, along with her mother-in-law and another friend, did this last year. It was the first 5K event I had ever participated in. Since that time, we've done several. This year, my daughter decided to form a team and invite more people, among them more of her husband's family and her co-workers, other labor and delivery nurses. We are 'THE GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN' team. Some are wearing more '80's type clothing and hair - me, I'm just pretty much 'pink'. By the time this post appears, we will have had all our 'fun'. We raised quite a bit of money and were glad to do so!
I wasn't sure if there would be a good 'team' picture, but this one was great! My daughter is in the middle hugging her niece. I'm right behind her. The three ladies on the left are my daughter's mother-in-law and two sisters-in-law. The two ladies on the right are my daughter's work colleagues - other L&D nurses. And the precious niece in front.
We walked up Congress Avenue in Austin to this destination - the Texas State Capitol building - then turned around and walked back. So many people (and pups) and all doing the 'pink' thing.
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Now, something different. Are you a worrier? A 'what if' kind of person? A perfectionist that tips over into 'too much of a good thing but now is just too much angst' person? Let me be blunt - do you have anxiety? I can answer 'absolutely' to each question I posed. My tipping point on this issue is sometimes very broad and sometimes quite narrow. Life throws stuff at us - sometimes good - sometimes bad - sometimes a mix. If one is an anxious person, the reaction may be much the same - 'what if, what if, what if???'.
All this to say that I've been going through a bit of an anxious time lately. Maybe more than a bit. Nothing bad is going on. In fact, good things are being planned and taking place. However, my reaction some days is the same as if the events and plans are scary. I've been like this all my life. Mostly, I do all right. Sometimes I don't do as well. Interestingly enough, it usually shows up in my reading or lack of reading. When my reading life is messed up, I am messed up. For me, that means it's time to 'change it up'. Change my reading, I mean - what I'm reading or how or sometimes even if reading happens. It helps me cope with my anxious feelings.
A couple of observations - I am weary of psychological thrillers, unreliable narrators, and characters that I can't relate to or like at all. I am weary of keeping up with the newest, the most shiny, the recent publishing trends. I know that I can read whatever I want, but sometimes I'm like a kid in a candy store with the 'new, new, new'. I am weary with reading faster and faster in order to get to 'all the books'. This is all self-imposed behavior, but I think it's time to go in a different direction.
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I've been reading a couple of books lately that came across my path at 'just the right time'. Tomorrow I'll talk about the first one - Anne Bogel's I'd Rather Be Reading. I'm also making my way slowly through Max Lucado's Anxious For Nothing. I've also enjoyed checking in on several blogging friends who read older books - mysteries and other things. I'd like to do more of that. I've talked with Robin at A Fondness For Reading recently about doing a 'Book Group Read' in honor of Robin's Mom (more about that later) and in her memory. I joined the Classics Club earlier in the year and have not read very many books on my list. I'd like to read more of those, especially in 2019.
I have the rest of October scheduled for the most part. Starting Wednesday, I'll be on a break for a week or a little more. After October, I have no idea what I might share or read. I'll spend this month deciding and thinking further about that. So, more musings to come.
I will still be around and will share about 'Bookish Nostalgia' and 'Guppy Book of the Month'. I'll talk about any books I read on my 'Classics' list. However, I might decide to reread a lot of books - perhaps a whole series. I might only mention older books. We'll see. Mostly, I'll try to remember to 'Just Breathe'. That was my aim for last year and this year as well. I shared that in my first post of the year and I can see that it's time for a reminder.
Thanks for listening! Thanks for coming by and visiting about books! Thanks for being my friends and companions as we sort out not only our reading journeys, but our lives. You are all most appreciated!
It looks like that 5k was a lot of fun - kudos to y'all for raising money that way.
ReplyDeleteMy mom is a huge worrier - I never realized it's tied to anxiety.
It was fun and we went to great breakfast/brunch afterwards. Yes, I think worry and anxiety go hand in hand.
DeleteYay for you and all the girls in pink who walk and raise money for a good cause! I, too, am tired of books with no likable characters--maybe because I see this as a societal, not simply a book trend. Enjoy your break, Kay.
ReplyDeleteI think you may be right about the societal influences, Jenclair.
DeleteI've been reading far fewer new releases this year and more classics and vintage crime, and I have to say I'm enjoying my reading far more as a result. Hope you find a balance that works for you too! And I'm so envious of your Alaska cruise!!
ReplyDeleteI will find a balance. And thanks for the good wishes. Though I will say that we're not going on an Alaskan cruise. Maybe someone else is? LOL
DeleteYes I'm a worrier too and I am also very drawn by all the new books at the moment. It's very draining to feel that you've got to read faster and faster, which is why I decided at the beginning of the year that I would try to slow down - I don't manage it all the time! Enjoy your break!
ReplyDeleteI understand, Margaret. I think I'll be happier with my reading and my stress levels if I take a step back from the new and revisit the old.
DeleteCongrats on the 5K! Great photo. I think we've all been in the reading situation you find yourself in. I hope you can find some good ones to help escape the anxiety. I have a couple of thrillers and then I'm going to concentrate on the historical and contemporary romance, women's fiction that I love. And hopefully lots of Christmas novellas.
ReplyDeleteMary, I'm thinking about rereading some of Robyn Carr's Virgin River series. I loved that before.
DeleteFirstly you and The Girls Who Want to Have Fun look absolutely fab - well done all of you.
ReplyDeleteAs for reading, I've pulled back on the review books, especially in the second half this year for similar reasons - I tired of the psychological thrillers and the need to read the next book and although my 'own picks' haven't always been successful, but it feels as though I'm reading more for myself than the previous years since I started blogging.
It's always good to breathe.
Thanks, we did have a good time. I like the way you said you were reading for yourself. Sometimes, we forget to do that in a lot of ways. Looking back, I can remember the days where I read what I came across and was perfectly happy with those books.
DeleteIt is so good that you think about taking care of yourself and you recognize what is happening. My mother was a worrier too (although she had a lot to worry about). Is that more a female thing? My husband worries a lot but I think at a lower level.
ReplyDeleteMy problem with unreliable narrators is I don't want to know in advance that is what is going on. Much better to discover that in the book, but now they tell you in advance. And every other new book seems that type.
That photo of your running group is wonderful and I admire what you are doing.
I do recognize when I get a little over the edge and if I don't, my husband reminds me. I'm not sure it's a female thing exactly, but we may have a different way of coping. Tracy, you are one of the bloggers I was talking about. Your older reads have inspired me to remember some that I loved and to think about trying others.
DeleteThe awesome thing about blogging is that you can do it any way you want! Whatever works for you, doesn't stress you out, and makes you happy, do that. I, for one, will read whatever you write :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband has anxiety in some of the ways you describe. At times, he'll say, "I don't know why I'm so worried. I have nothing to worry about, so why am I so anxious?" I can't relate because I'm just not an anxious person. Maybe because he worries enough for both of us?? Let me know if the ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING book is good. It sounds like something that would be good for him to read.
I do understand where your husband is coming from, Susan. And, like you, my husband is not an anxious person. I know that I worry enough for both of us. Ha! The book ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING looks at some of this from a Christian viewpoint remembering that God has us - always. I know that logically and believe that, but sometimes I still struggle. I'll probably share a little about it when I finish.
DeleteWell done on the 5K and raising money... wonderful photo of you all.
ReplyDeleteI'm another anxious one. My mother had it, worse than me I should say, but I have it too, to a lesser degree. I have moments when it just washes over me and nearly always for no reason whatsoever. I hate it. I even wonder if I'm one of those 'never happy unless they're worrying' sort of people because I have caught myself looking for something to worry about.
At the start of this year I decided to have a 'read slower' year. I like to do jigsaws so I've deliberately done lots so that I'm not reading so much and so fast. I usually hit 50 sometime in August but this year I'm just reading my 50th. book and I feel much better about it. I hope you can work something out, Kay.
Cath, I think some of us are just created this way. It comes with other personality traits. I am mostly able to manage it, but sometimes things get a little out of balance for me. I like the idea of focusing on another task, like your jigsaws. It's relaxing for you and lets your mind think of other things. I've found my walking helps, listening to music, rereading old favorite books, and I've started working on an adult coloring book, while listening to audiobooks. I actually began the coloring while my husband was in the hospital last winter. I could just focus on making a page beautiful and then write a bit as a journal. The one I picked up was a combination coloring/journal book. I need to get that out again. I suspect it would calm my mind. Thanks for the kind words.
DeleteCongrats on the 5k and the money raised. As for reading - I pretty much stopped reading advanced copies a few years ago and the pressure that took off me was palpable. I hope that going with reading whatever you want whenever you want works well for you.
ReplyDeleteI think it will. I've 'reinvented' my reading before and it's always helpful to me. Thanks for the kind words!
DeleteOh Kay, now I understand what you were saying on my blog the other day! Yes to all... I have severe chronic anxiety/depressive disorder or whatever they want to call it-- I worry all the time about the other shoe dropping, even if there is no chance of that happening. This last move and what it did to our finances and moving away from family members, still has me uptight. Add to that my younger kids moving out. And a dog passing + a cat passing in last few months. I agree that even our reading is indicative of our mood. Plus living with daily pain doesn't help.
ReplyDeleteEnough about me, just wanting to say "I hear ya" and I agree that you should read any type of books that call your name. I was able to pull out of my most recent book slump by choosing back to back nonfiction. My son only reads nonfiction and he and I sometimes discuss them over the phone (thank goodness, a family member who reads). I hope you enjoy your break from the blog, but hurry back! Yay for not reading anymore "Girl" titles, right? :)
p.s. you look great in the photo, as do all the gals. Such a good cause!
First of all, thanks for the kind words, Rita. It is a good cause and we had a great time. I'm enjoying all the suggestions here with others telling me what has helped them. No, no more 'girl' books - at least not for a while. I'll never say never, but there is no end to going down the 'newer' rabbit hole. Really, how long can we sustain that? And I don't think very many of us began blogging to only talk about the latest. We just wanted to talk about books and reading, right?
DeleteGreat job with the walk! It's so fun to get a big group together and raise some money and do a walk. I'm definitely a worrier; it helps that my husband is the complete opposite, we balance each other out.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find a new direction that makes you happy. I appreciate when bloggers don't always focus on the newest books and can introduce me to stories I haven't heard of or seen on a lot of other blogs.
Glad to hear the support for older books here. And, yes, my husband is much the same. He definitely balances my worries.
DeleteFirst, a big congratulations on doing the Pink thing! Great picture and great cause. I tend to be a worrier too. I try to stay in the moment and breathe but there are times that it's just one big cycle of worry. So definitely do what is right for you and take care of yourself. And, yes, sometimes changing up the reading does help. I feel like lately all thrillers are starting to sound the same so I was so excited to read the Anne Rivers Siddons book for my RIP read. Different and definitely spooky and an overall great read. Anyway, can't wait to hear what books you end up turning to!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the Siddons book. It's a favorite of mine too. I think it's about time for reread.
DeleteLove the group picture from the 5K! I'm sorry life has thrown you a lot to feel anxious about, but keep walking. Being outside and moving those feet will help more than you can imagine. Big hugs to you, Kay. More in my email...
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely doing the feet moving thing. And things are easing up. Plus, the little changes I'm making are helping. Thanks for the support - always. :-)
DeleteWhat a fun event, Kay, and good for you for trying something new! It looks like you all enjoyed yourselves and did something important for a good cause.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to most of what you wrote in this post. Hope that this new reading trajectory and break help you to relax more fully and reconnect with what you really need and want most. Thanks for your post and for your inspirational honesty. :)
And thank you for your kind comment, J.P.! I am enjoying my break and will be back around next week. I'm also going to be making some changes in what I read for the rest of the year and next year. Of course, I could always change my mind again - ha!
DeleteI'm with you on the anxiety thing - and sometimes the reading is the cause, which it should never be!
ReplyDeleteYes, I get what you're saying. What I was reading wasn't the cause, but my reading was affected. I find that when I can't concentrate well on my reading or when I'm getting too annoyed with it, I'm usually having issues in another area. My reading kind of reflects my inner person, if that makes sense. :-)
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