Dear Reader,
When the going gets tough, what falls off your schedule?
For me, even after years of diving into the science of wellbeing, it’s always my own personal self-care that takes a hit: I sleep less. I skip a yoga session. I work through my lunch break. I multitask even more than usual. And, I read and write less.
Yes, even I, someone who coaches others on the power of reading and writing, tends to read and write less when life gets busy, stressed or hard.
Normally, I give myself grace, but for some season, I made my lack of daily reading and writing this week mean something about my character. I told myself a story about what falling off the reading and writing wagon meant for my work and for my life. And surprise, surprise, that stopped me from returning to my treasured books and notebooks because I felt frustrated, embarrassed and even ashamed. I mean, come on, I write about the importance of restorative reading and writing habits, for crying out loud.
But after a bit of wallowing on Friday afternoon, I reminded myself of something I recently shared with a coaching client:
Let’s shift from focusing on our reading and writing HABITS to intentionally growing our reading and writing PRACTICES.
I’ve written an entire book on leading literate lives for educators, starting with our reading and writing habits, moving to our reading and writing hearts and connecting with our reading and writing communities. I believe that habits are important, but I’ve come to understand that they can have the opposite effect and potentially push us away from the reading and writing (and anything else!) we want to bring into our lives.
Here’s why:
Habits conjure a feeling of obligation, something we must do on a fairly regular basis for whatever reason, like brushing and flossing our teeth.
Traditionally, habits are associated with something negative: those bad habits we pick up that are hard to break.
Plus, habits convey total consistency. If you miss a day of something you’re trying to create a habit around, you can easily become frustrated and throw in the towel because you broke your streak.
Practices, on the other hand, invite a completely different outlook:
Practices are invitations to engage and grow in a particular area, not out of obligation, but with intention.
Practices are associated with growth: we practice sports, yoga, musical instruments and anything else we want to get better at.
Practices do not demand perfection and wait for you to return and grow into them over time.
Shifting from holding ourselves accountable to our reading and writing habits to thoughtfully growing a reading and writing practice makes all the difference in the world. It means we read and write with intention as consistently as we can, aiming for growth and not inevitably failing at perfection.
That’s the reminder I needed myself this week and I hope that it offers you a bit of grace, too.
Here’s a quick celebration of my literate life this week:
This Week I Read...
I started this bookish memoir with a bookish bestie: BOOKWORM by Lucy Mangan. I still have a ways to go and now, I have to fight my Great Dane for it, apparently. Oh, how she chews EVERYTHING! Take a look at the loved edges:
This Week I Wrote...
Well, if you read my note at the top of this post, you’ve already realized that I did not write much. One thing I always write in though? My 5-Year Journal. It’s amazing the nostalgia this book brings. I wish I started one sooner, but it’s never too late to start one, if you haven’t yet. I promise!
This Week I Learned...
I made big strides this week on a not-so-secret dream and learned how to do two very important things: filing a DBA (Doing Business As) for THE BOOK APOTHECARY in my county and filing a Certificate of Authority to order goods as at wholesale prices and collect NY sales tax on items I sell. Stay tuned!
This week I Loved…
I love sending Instagram messages back and forth to my kids with things I think will make them (and me) smile. Here were a few I sent that might make you happy too. Apparently, we love sweet treats:
To my son: Oreo Teddy Bear Pops
To my other son: Edible Pumpkin Spice Cookie Dough
From my son’s girlfriend: A Calico Critters Cake!
Now, it’s your turn! What are you reading, writing, learning and loving? Share in the comments and let’s inspire each other!
Have a wonderful week ahead! If this week’s letter stirred something in you, these are the things we explore inside the Studio all month long. Join us!
Let’s Work Together!
I love to connect with others around our shared love of reading and writing. Here are some ways we can work together to create a life you love where restorative reading and writing is at the center of it all:
🩷 Join my private restorative reading and writing studio for monthly theme exploration through reading, writing, learning and connecting together!
📚 Connect 1:1 for personalized coaching to unlock the transformative power of your reading and writing life. Let’s work together!
Literate love is multiplied when it’s shared! 🩷
Here are some free ways to support this newsletter and spread my message of the magic of restorative reading and writing far and wide:
🩷 Like and comment on this post so we can connect!
🔄 Restack your favorite nugget of literate love.
📷 Take a screenshot of your favorite part and text it to a friend.
💌 Forward this email to a fellow bookish and notebookish friend so they can join the literate love too!
⌨️ Refer a friend and earn free access to my private community!
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Oh, Ruby! Lol.