February Challenge: Reading

I’ve wholeheartedly dreaded reading books for as long as I can remember, something that never really aligned with all the rest of the nerd in me.

But then again, there are endless variations of ‘nerdy’.

I can honestly say I didn’t finish one leisurely book my entire time in college. And probably high school for that matter too. It’s not that I didn’t want to, I just had some odd aversion to it from being forced to read so many books I didn’t want to in school.

Right before graduating last May, I stocked up on some books I wanted to read while I spent my summer working on an island. I envisioned immersing myself into endless pages as I listened to the gentle swishing of waves by the water overlooking the Mackinac bridge. Or laying in the grass enjoying the nature surrounding me while absorbing the words from the books I had excitedly chosen.

Guess what?

I did lay in the grass by the marina. Inhaling the remnants of horse poop. Enjoying the sun shining down on my face and a lil’ R&R on break. Okay, and yeah, maybe a brewski on my day off.. but not reading.

And I did sit and enjoy the bridge by the water. Marveling at the serenity of waves crashing up on the shore. Once. On a rock beach – look, NO SAND.

Needless to say, I didn’t read there either. Since graduating, I still had never finished a book. I started some; I read a couple chapters out of multiple books, but I hadn’t actually finished a single one.

Then hit February 2015 when I decided to do a reading challenge. What did that mean for me? Try and read at least a chapter a day. I’m not trying to make up for the last 8 years I haven’t been reading for enjoyment in one month or anything, just a bit here and there to consistently stay with it and maybe actually finish a book.

And as you’ve probably guessed, I’m so glad I did; I finished up three of the four books I had started in the past and finished another one after that too!

I read:

• The Queen’s Code by Alison Armstrong
• The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz
• Mindsight, by Daniel J. Siegel
• Daring Greatly, by Brené Brown

I’m in the middle of:

• Carry On, Warrior, by Glennon Doyle Melton

And I plan to read:

• Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway, by Susan Jeffers

I will be discussing my favorite parts from some of these books in the months to come so make sure and like my Facebook page or subscribe on the right to get notified when I publish new posts!

I would like to conclude that beyond just finishing books, I have grasped so much new information that I am incredibly grateful for. I learned all about the brain and how the different hemispheres operate and how that translates to behaviors being carried out, practicing mindfulness, shame, the importance of worthiness and vulnerability, minding the gap, being impeccable with my word, not making assumptions, not taking things personally, doing my best and creating my own dream, how men and women are different and what that means for cultivating healthy relationships, how to work with one another in relationships to meet each other’s needs, and really, not to take life too seriously. Live and let be. Roll with the punches. That’s been quite a theme in my life lately, and I feel like the books read together had a synergistic effect and complimented each other very nicely.

I really have respect for authors who spend the majority of their careers researching and learning about particular topics and then write a book for the general population to comprehend and glean some of the most important takeaways in that particular area. BOOKS ARE MARVELOUS! I grew leaps and bounds over the course of this month and opened myself up to many new ways of thinking. This challenge was beyond eye-opening. I chose to read books along the lines of personal development. I’m not much of fictional reader, maybe someday, but I’m really gung ho about life-learning and perspective-challenging and mindset-reorganizing these days. It’s this whole being 22 thing I’ve got goin’ on.. this post-graduation-I’m-kinda-tryin’-ta-figure-out-life-a-bit thing, to be more specific.

Would you like to do your own challenges every month?! It’s not too late to start! Check out this video for more information 🙂

Do you have any other recommendations for me to read next?