I love reading, but when I look around my bookshelves and book piles, I sometimes feel a little anxious because there are so many books I want to get to, and it takes me awhile to get through one. Interesting thing is when I go camping and have just one book and one magazine with me, it feels so much more relaxing and stress-free. There's no pile of books staring at me, no ipad, no internet, just a relaxed focus on fewer choices, thus, no time pressure; there's plenty of time because there are fewer books and distractions. There's got to be some way to replicate that feeling at home.
That's a tough one for sure, and I know the feeling! I guess you could hide all your books somewhere, but most of us don't have big enough houses to do that, and then there's still the iPad and internet and everything else beckoning, plus stuff to be done in the home.
Something he talks about a fair amount in the book is how much harder it can be having many choices, and how much more satisfied people are with their choices when they only have one. It's kind of related to trying to get through everything; we just can't, and that causes stress.
This book definitely gave me a lot to think about, and I'll certainly have to keep thinking about it for a while to internalize any of its messages!
Another one that resonates, my friend! JB has worked in higher ed his entire adult life -- in institutions that close between Xmas and New Year's. So I specifically narrowed my search to high ed jobs that offered the same benefit. It's really difficult to be okay with whatever happens when there ARE steps one can take, in many instances, to avoid difficulty (e.g. getting regular maintenance on your car to avoid getting stuck on the side of the road). But I AM recently trying to take things more as they come.
It's such a balance being "okay" with whatever happens and still caring and trying to change things that need to be changed. It's not about just accepting whatever bullshit — and yet, it kind of is. I say that at someone who has not come anywhere near to mastering any of this, of course!
One thing the author mentions is the importance of everyone having the same time off so we can spend time with friends and family — otherwise, what good is all that time? As an introvert who needs a lot of down time, even I want that time with people!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Nancy! It's great to connect in this way!
“ There'll be better times but I'm getting by with these”. — Kids These Days, by Tom Rush.
That’s one way to sum it up.
Good one!
I love reading, but when I look around my bookshelves and book piles, I sometimes feel a little anxious because there are so many books I want to get to, and it takes me awhile to get through one. Interesting thing is when I go camping and have just one book and one magazine with me, it feels so much more relaxing and stress-free. There's no pile of books staring at me, no ipad, no internet, just a relaxed focus on fewer choices, thus, no time pressure; there's plenty of time because there are fewer books and distractions. There's got to be some way to replicate that feeling at home.
That's a tough one for sure, and I know the feeling! I guess you could hide all your books somewhere, but most of us don't have big enough houses to do that, and then there's still the iPad and internet and everything else beckoning, plus stuff to be done in the home.
Something he talks about a fair amount in the book is how much harder it can be having many choices, and how much more satisfied people are with their choices when they only have one. It's kind of related to trying to get through everything; we just can't, and that causes stress.
This book definitely gave me a lot to think about, and I'll certainly have to keep thinking about it for a while to internalize any of its messages!
Another one that resonates, my friend! JB has worked in higher ed his entire adult life -- in institutions that close between Xmas and New Year's. So I specifically narrowed my search to high ed jobs that offered the same benefit. It's really difficult to be okay with whatever happens when there ARE steps one can take, in many instances, to avoid difficulty (e.g. getting regular maintenance on your car to avoid getting stuck on the side of the road). But I AM recently trying to take things more as they come.
It's such a balance being "okay" with whatever happens and still caring and trying to change things that need to be changed. It's not about just accepting whatever bullshit — and yet, it kind of is. I say that at someone who has not come anywhere near to mastering any of this, of course!
One thing the author mentions is the importance of everyone having the same time off so we can spend time with friends and family — otherwise, what good is all that time? As an introvert who needs a lot of down time, even I want that time with people!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Nancy! It's great to connect in this way!
I love the quote from @disappointingaffirmations. So true.
Yes — the trick is being okay with whatever happens, which is of course much easier said than done for us unenlightened beings!