Sunday, February 15, 2015

TSS: Returning Home...


I have finally found my reading groove!

It was in hibernation for the last five years while I struggled to find time to fit other life priorities. It wasn't until I retired last May that I realized the extent of stress in my life.  In fact, I am certain if there was an image to represent "burn out" in the dictionary, my mugshot would be front and center.

While these past nine months have been a welcome relief, for the first time in my life I seem to have difficulty focusing. It is as though the day-to-day work schedule helped to keep me in line:  I knew what I needed to accomplish and I did it.  Now that I have freedom, I am not quite sure which activity to pursue first.

This lack of focus - inability to see a project to completion - has been frustrating.  And yet, I think it is part of the necessary transition from a human doing to a human being.  And over the past couple of weeks, I have learned to accept this process.

To that end, I have started to read again.  To read for fun, not for educational purposes.  I now read without pencil in hand; I no longer have to underline key passages and write insights in the margin.  I simply read to enjoy.  And it has been DELIGHTFUL (my word for 2015).

Books that I have enjoyed over the past two weeks include:
Over the next few days I will write short book reviews of these 10+ novels I have read.  I am SO looking forward to returning to the book blog community - I have missed you all!

I will also use this blog to discuss my writing endeavors.  I am still working on First Impressionism, a Middle Grade historical fiction novel set in Paris circa 1880.  But I am also working on Milestone Memoir, an idea I have of marrying one photograph from my past with a personal essay to leave a life legacy for my descendants.  There may be other fiction and non-fiction works thrown in as well.

Additionally, the retired life is affording me the opportunity to travel - my heart's desire since I was in second grade.  I will certainly document the trips I take, as well as share a few photographs of the special places I have visited.

And lastly, the Nook is also a place of creativity.  I enjoy paper crafts of all kinds including rubber stamp greeting cards and family scrapbooks.  I am sure to share a few of these artistic endeavors with you.

*******

I left this blog 2.5 years ago because I felt like a fraud.  I began My Cozy Book Nook to be a part of the book blogging community and yet over time, few of my posts discussed literature.  While many of you encouraged me to stay, I could not live with the deceit.

But recently I have come to realize that my Nook at home is more than a place to read.  As the blog  tagline now states, it is a place where I retreat not only to read, but also to write, meditate, and create.  If the physical space can allow for that kind of diversity, I think the blog can too.

I feel as though I am the prodigal daughter, but I am now home.  And it feels good.


15 comments:

  1. From what I've read in your posts, on your other blog, you never have been a fraud. You've always been true in your posts and that's why I, for one, keep returning to read your posts. Keep keeping it real here and true here too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. its perfectly natural to end a stressful full time job and then not be clear what to do with all that spare time. The good thing is that you're starting to find your way

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm so glad you've found your reading place again! I'm looking forward to reading your mini reviews.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Every blog and blogger are different and you always had a lot to contribute to the book blogging community. I'm glad to see you back and look forward to your reviews.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Welcome back to blogging! Just found my over here from Booker Talk, for the first time, I think. I've enjoyed reading several of the books you mention!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Welcome back! I am glad you have found joy in reading again.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Welcome back to the world of reading for pleasure. The DELIGHTFUL world :D I love that word, I think it's a great word of the year!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'll be looking forward to hearing your thoughts about your 10 books in two weeks! My word, woman. And that King book is long......when you get back to reading, your really get back to reading. LOL

    Again, welcome back!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Molly, so lovely to meet you here at your “cozy nook." I feel like we’re kindred spirits. I retired about a year ago myself, and after years of working and being in busy musical groups, life is suddenly very slow and open - all the things I yearned for when I worked so much. And while I enjoy the freedom and the time, it’s taken a little while to get comfortable with it and find a balance of things to make me feel productive and happy. But I’m getting there!
    I also love the idea for you memoir/photograph book. One of the things I did last year was publish a similar book - a collection of essays that I’d written about my life as I entered middle age. It was a labor of love project, that I intended mostly as a keepsake for family and friends. But I’ve had some amazing feedback from other women about how much they connected with my experiences. I think we all learn so much from the stories we share about our lives. I would love to read your book when you finish it!
    If you’re interested, you can read more about my book project here: http://www.beccarowan.com/life-in-general/
    I’ll look forward to reading more about your life, your reading, and your crafts!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your blog can be anything you want it to be...no fraud was ever evident.

    Post-retirement life is the best, isn't it? I really found my mojo after retirement.

    Reading, blogging, and writing...enjoy!

    Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love this vision for your blog -- it suits you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love seeing a diverse range of posts on a book blog! So glad you're blogging about books again, Molly.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ahh, no need to feel deceitful -- I blog about a bunch of things on my so-called book blog.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you so much, dear blogging friends, for welcoming back to the fold. I look forward to connecting more with you in the months (and years) ahead.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts with Thumbnails