Sweater Weather Slow Down

Photo credit: Sweater Weather SNL skit

I don't know about you, but the changing of the seasons usually puts me in the mood to frantically finish out the year strong (cough end of the year reading goals). Though, this year I want to take a different approach. Instead of the fever to meet all the goals that I made a year ago, perhaps move towards an autumn reset where I slow things down. 

This blog post is really inspired by the recent posts there's so many days left in 2022 (as of today 73 days). I realized quickly those posts activate a portion of my brain to do more. And honestly as an actively recovering busy bee/over achiever doing less seems counterintuitive. However, if the last few years have taught me anything, it's that doing more isn't always the answer. It's been eye opening to slowly divorce myself from the desire to over commit myself in the vein of being productive. Friends, I can report my busyness actually negatively impacts my enjoyment of reading. I'm not saying I will stop reading but I am rethinking how this outlet can sometimes feel like work,🚩flag much! I don't have any concrete answers but I do know that I am trying to listen more rather than push through. 

So I wanted to share 3 book recommendations that helped me move towards this reset mentality.

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How We Show Up by Mia Birdsong 

Book Description: How We Show Up returns us to our inherent connectedness where we find strength, safety, and support in vulnerability and generosity, in asking for help, and in being accountable. Showing up - literally and figuratively - points us toward the promise of our collective vitality and leads us to the liberated well-being we all want.

Big takeaway: Being apart of the bookish community has been a source of joy and lots of learning. The connections that I've made truly have enriched my life in so many ways. In essence, I came for the reading but staying for the fellowship.  

Yoke: My Yoga of Self Acceptance by Jessamyn Stanley 

Book Description: In Sanskrit, yoga means to “yoke.” To yoke mind and body, movement and breath, light and dark, the good and the bad. This larger idea of “yoke” is what Jessamyn Stanley calls the yoga of the everyday—a yoga that is not just about perfecting your downward dog but about applying the hard lessons learned on the mat to the even harder daily project of living.

Big takeaway: LISTEN to my f*cking body. More specifically, it's okay not to read everyday and reaching my reading goal doesn't change the fact I'm a book blogger. I don't have to be a massive bookish content creator, I can do things for the enjoyment. 

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski 

Book Description: Burnout. Many women in America have experienced it. What’s expected of women and what it’s really like to be a woman in today’s world are two very different things - and women exhaust themselves trying to close the gap between them. How can you “love your body” when every magazine cover has 10 diet tips for becoming “your best self”? How do you “lean in” at work when you’re already operating at 110 percent and aren’t recognized for it? How can you live happily and healthily in a sexist world that is constantly telling you you’re too fat, too needy, too noisy, and too selfish?

Big takeaway: Being burnout is NOT a badge of honor. 🤷🏾‍♀️

Whether you read these book recommendations or not, I do hope you take the time to actively commit to slowing down. 

Happy reading & resting!