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thenerdygirl) wrote2021-01-21 09:37 am
thenerdygirl) wrote2021-01-21 09:37 am
three down, fifty seven to go
My reading goal for this year is 60 books, a lower than the 100 I usually strive for because I wanted to make an effort to read some longer books and give myself more time to enjoy what I was reading. So far my read list is:
1. Bridgeton Collection Volume 1 (Includes The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me, and An Offer From a Gentleman.)
2. Romancing Mister Bridgeton (Book #4 in the series)
Why yes, I did watch the Netflix series. How did you ever guess? 😜
3. Buy yourself the F*cking Lilies.
The latter I finished late last night, in a little bit of a rush because it was due back at the library. I enjoyed it despite being absolutely horrified by the actions of the authors' parents, especially the Mom who I hope has read the book and felt terrible when she realized what a complete psycho she was to her child. Sadly, I doubt that would happen even if she did read the book. Psychotic narcissistic people are hardly known for self-reflection and awareness.
Anyway, I've been contemplating this book all morning and ...mulling over the advice that resonated with me. In particular, the chapters about building a relationship with yourself in the face of vicious negative self-talk and the chapters about building realistic and meaningful relationships with friends & family while also acknowledging you don't need to have the same type of relationship with everyone. The former is something I've been working on with the help of my counsellor alongside processing grief and managing anxiety. Though quite a few sessions have hit on the subject of family connections & friendships. I don't feel like I have much of either these days.
I'd like to work on this and make more of an effort with the friends I still have and ideally get a chance to meet more people but...uh...kinda hard to do that during a pandemic. The only people in my bubble are my partner (my rock honestly, I'm so grateful for him), my best friend, one uncle who I see about once every two months and my co-workers who I do genuinely like but ya know, they're in my bubble out of necessity for work, not because we all hang out socially.
A couple of friends I'd normally see I do the occasional video chat with but that's once in a blue moon too and simply not as connecting as being in person. Everyone else is on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and while a couple of people post, the majority of the people I'm really interested in knowing what's going on with them don't share anything anymore...and I'm the same way too so I can't judge. I post a little on Instagram & Twitter like a couple of times a month but I feel way too self-conscious posting on Facebook.
And this sort of went off on a rambling tangent that I don't really know where I'm going with. Honestly, it feels a little like Stream of consciousness writing. Back to the book, Buy the F*cking Lilies. I enjoyed most of it through the chapters on problematic romantic relationships didn't resonate with me because I'm in a relationship I'm happy with but the rest were great. It can be a bit cliche at times with the wellness tropes but I've seen way, way worse. I'd recommend it if you struggle with or are trying to work on managing negative self-talk.
1. Bridgeton Collection Volume 1 (Includes The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me, and An Offer From a Gentleman.)
2. Romancing Mister Bridgeton (Book #4 in the series)
Why yes, I did watch the Netflix series. How did you ever guess? 😜
3. Buy yourself the F*cking Lilies.
The latter I finished late last night, in a little bit of a rush because it was due back at the library. I enjoyed it despite being absolutely horrified by the actions of the authors' parents, especially the Mom who I hope has read the book and felt terrible when she realized what a complete psycho she was to her child. Sadly, I doubt that would happen even if she did read the book. Psychotic narcissistic people are hardly known for self-reflection and awareness.
Anyway, I've been contemplating this book all morning and ...mulling over the advice that resonated with me. In particular, the chapters about building a relationship with yourself in the face of vicious negative self-talk and the chapters about building realistic and meaningful relationships with friends & family while also acknowledging you don't need to have the same type of relationship with everyone. The former is something I've been working on with the help of my counsellor alongside processing grief and managing anxiety. Though quite a few sessions have hit on the subject of family connections & friendships. I don't feel like I have much of either these days.
I'd like to work on this and make more of an effort with the friends I still have and ideally get a chance to meet more people but...uh...kinda hard to do that during a pandemic. The only people in my bubble are my partner (my rock honestly, I'm so grateful for him), my best friend, one uncle who I see about once every two months and my co-workers who I do genuinely like but ya know, they're in my bubble out of necessity for work, not because we all hang out socially.
A couple of friends I'd normally see I do the occasional video chat with but that's once in a blue moon too and simply not as connecting as being in person. Everyone else is on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and while a couple of people post, the majority of the people I'm really interested in knowing what's going on with them don't share anything anymore...and I'm the same way too so I can't judge. I post a little on Instagram & Twitter like a couple of times a month but I feel way too self-conscious posting on Facebook.
And this sort of went off on a rambling tangent that I don't really know where I'm going with. Honestly, it feels a little like Stream of consciousness writing. Back to the book, Buy the F*cking Lilies. I enjoyed most of it through the chapters on problematic romantic relationships didn't resonate with me because I'm in a relationship I'm happy with but the rest were great. It can be a bit cliche at times with the wellness tropes but I've seen way, way worse. I'd recommend it if you struggle with or are trying to work on managing negative self-talk.