Hey you,
How are things? Did your week start on a good note? If it didn’t, tomorrow is another day to try again. There’s a quote by Victor F. Frankl that kinda guides me when I’m having especially bad days, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” I think it’s important to be aware of how we talk to ourselves. Sometimes we aren’t even aware that we are doing this, but negative thoughts can easily swallow whatever positive thoughts, such as compassion and hope, we may have left at that moment.
I’m currently watching Netflix’s Our Liberation Notes and it inspired today’s letter. At first glance, the show is kinda dark and dull but I’ve realized a few things and that’s what I’m sharing with you. Our thoughts can truly affect our perspective and therefore our reality. It may seem fruitless at the moment but I assure you that future you will be grateful that you put in the effort when it seemed impossible and continued to move forward despite your circumstances.
Also, I’m very aware that tackling your emotions and reflecting on your bad day is no easy task in any circumstance, let alone the day after a bad day so be sure to take it easy on yourself and practice self-compassion in the ways that speak to you the most. It can be putting work aside for the day and doing something you love, taking a long walk, listening to sad songs and crying your eyes out, or simply laying in bed and resting; there is no one right way to mentally recover from distress so do what brings you the most peace.
The important thing for you to remember is that you should take care of your mental health after a bad day just as you would take care of your body after a physically exhausting day.
I just finished reading The Indulgent Bibliophile’s May pick, Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith. We’ll be discussing it on the 29th of May at 5 pm WAT, the link to join is HERE. It’s a novel that requires all your senses, I thoroughly enjoyed the mix of Vietnamese folklore and mythology. Also, the way it’s written is very trippy so, if you start feeling bored or confused, just drop it, might not be the best read for you, OR try the audiobook.
I feel like flogging the author of Some Angels Don’t See God, Mr Ever Obi. I pride myself on being able to handle any kind of violence in novels, but for the first time, I was so pissed at the needless scene that happened in this book. The novel was already pissing me off with its countless backstories that amounted to nothing, there’s child abuse that is resolved in the stupidest way imaginable, then we get to 98% of the book and the most horrific sexual violence happens and what ticked me off is that it’s written so graphically like the author almost got off on it. Zero sensitivity! It’s a review copy but I have nothing good to say, I’ll just sit this one out. You’ve already got the gist. hehehe
The Stand-In by Lily Chu was a sweet and heartwarming read about a Chinese Canadian woman whose life changes when a mysterious SUV appears in front of her house, don’t want to give too much away but I love how it tackled some mental health issues.
I tried reading some poetry, Woman Eat Me Whole by Ama Asantewa Diaka, and I think it’s safe to conclude that it’s a genre I may never get into. I’ve tried.
In other news, The Something Bookish podcast is back. There’s a new episode where I answered very interesting questions from my Bookstagram fam, you can listen to it HERE. My plan, going forward, is to drop an episode every other week so, I don’t burn out. I’m so excited and I don’t even know where this excitement is coming from but imma use it.
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See you on the other side, Dearest.
XOXO