Monday, July 25, 2016
three things that are making me happy
The smallest changes are the most profound, don't you think? I've been in a bit of a rut lately; a common mid-winter story in family households, most probably. But a few simple changes have had a big difference to my day-to-day and they're making me happy.
1. I've started taking my work to the library : I can easily work at home with a newborn and a crawling baby but as soon as Percy started walking and ferociously hitting the keyboard while I typed, it was time to explore other options. A few weeks ago, when the car was at the mechanic and Percy was with his grandma, I spent three incredibly productive hours at the local library. It wasn't particularly quiet, nor was I tucked into a booth surrounded by other studious folk...but somehow, being in the midst of book readers and fellow typers was continual motivation for me to write! A revelation! Working from home has its pluses (put on a load of washing when the words are stuck, make a cup of tea whenever you please, do a load of dishes between stories) but I find that being at home, surrounded by a relentless list of to-dos, is sometimes a really hard place to concentrate. I'm torn between getting chores done before the kids come home and getting the words on the page. The library offers me uninterrupted time to solely focus on my work - I'm there to write and do nothing else. I can't even make a cup of tea which, in hindsight, is often procrastination disguised as thirst. And you know what, I've rekindled my love of writing. Sometimes working from home with kids in tow is just plain, hard work. But there's a spark within me when I get to sit in the library and type because I'm there as a writer....and not a mother-running-a-house-who-is-also-trying-to-make-deadline. It's refreshing, to say the least.
2. I've started reading again : being surrounded by books does that to you. But also, I've found that while breastfeeding Percy I was spending far too much time scrolling on my phone which is often draining - on my eyes and my self-worth. But with a book in hand and pages to turn, I'm relaxed and delighted - it's twenty minutes, a few times a day, that I can spend indulging in a story and it's nourishing a part of me that's been very depleted. I used to be an avid reader - there was always a book on the go - on my bedside table, in my bag, next to me while I cooked. But motherhood leaves little space or time for novels and it's all too easy to loose your reading mojo. Thankfully it has returned, with a spirited vengeance! My recommendations? I adored The Rosie Project, Hope Farm was a gripping page-turner and I'm currently in the midst of the charming Bird by Bird. But if you're going to read one book this year, make sure it's When Breath Becomes Air. I read it in a day - couldn't put it down. It's one of the most eloquent books I've ever read. Written by a neurosurgeon as he faces a lung cancer diagnosis, it's heartbreaking, life-affirming and utterly unforgettable.
3. I've replenished my house plants : what with a disruptive few months looking for a house, moving and then settling, the last thing on my mind was plants. But now that the sun is warming this north-facing home of ours and the furniture has found its place, I felt it was time for a nursery visit. Adding a little green really does lift the general mood and it's working wonders around here.
What's making you happy today? Any book recommendations you would like to share?
14 COMMENTS
Burial Rites is a captivating read. Quite dark but so fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI've made a return to reading too. I'm reading the Rosie Effect. Such s good light read.
I read Burial Rites years ago. Yes, very dark but very immersive. I've heard whispers of a film adaptation, too x
DeleteJodi, your posts always make me happy! At home, I've been decluttering and "spring" cleaning. Beeswax candles, aromatherapy oils in my new diffuser and daily exercise have been making me happy! Bring on Spring!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was very spring-like last week, wasn't it?! And now windy and chilly! Love my oil diffuser, too x
DeleteI loved The Rosie Project too. Have you read the second one?
ReplyDeleteI've been in a bit of a mid-Winter rut too and when that happens it's always good to stop and smell the roses. Would you mind if I tagged along and blogged three things that are making me happy too?
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I haven't read the sequel yet...thought I'd have a break in between them. Oh yes, go ahead! The more the merrier/happier ;) x
DeleteYou have to read the sequel!!! Do it :)
DeleteI recently enjoyed "Love, Nina" by Nina Stibbes. It's heartwarming and homely.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that libraries do have some sort of "magic" and it works wonders on us! Lovely inspiring post, Jodi!
ReplyDeleteI do agree that libraries do have some sort of "magic" and it works wonders on us! Lovely inspiring post, Jodi!
ReplyDeleteWhen Breath Becomes Air is stunning, isn't it? I read it earlier this year and it was one of those books that I couldn't shake. I could not stop thinking about it! And no one I know had read it so I had no one to discuss it with! xx
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great idea to get out of the house with your work every now and then! It always loosens up the cobwebs :-) I was a bookworm through most of my childhood and teen years and then with work and life, just didn't get around to reading much which I've found, it's hard for me to settle my mind onto a book now! I read a few of Jane Austen's works recently and found it a great way to get my brain concentrating and going to a bit of effort...the language is so different! x
ReplyDeleteHi Jodi, I have been participating in your 52 Project link up for the past 2.5 years now, but rarely leave a comment here, so thought I would change that today as so much of this post resonated with me! I have also been reading a lot more - I am in the thick of newborn season with my 12 week old babe and have found I scroll my phone way more during nursing sessions, which is impacting me just as you described - tired eyes and no good for self worth or focus. So I've started reading more. I love books and so easily forget this until I find one that I love, then I get that feeling of being a bit lost once I've finished it. I have just ordered When Breath Becomes Air - this book keeps popping up on Instagram etc, and so I'm finally going to get my hands on it. I have just finished reading 'Nobody Told Me', which is a fantastic book written by a British Poet - it's a compilation of her diary extracts and poetry that she started writing from the moment she found out she was pregnant until her daughter turned three. It's moving, poignant, funny, and I found it a cathartic read during this season of life of having a new baby and a 2.5 year old. I'm also reading Daring Greatly, but that's taking me much longer to read, as it provokes a lot of thinking and my brain hasn't quite got the capacity for that at the moment!
ReplyDeleteI keep meaning to buy some house plants (I don't have any!) and your beautiful collection has reminded me that I really must make the effort to do so!
I am really enjoying Helen Garner's "Everywhere I look". Delicious fragments to savour.
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