When you forget a part of who you are…
I am a sworn book worm. I love reading and stopped watching TV at 15 and instead focused on reading as much as I could. This habit continued on in the midst of O/L (Harry Potter was just coming out) and A/L and even in the midst of uni despite having to read as a part of my degree. When I started work – reading was still a fav but somewhere down the line, I stopped reading. I was usually exhausted working like a mad dog for a company that took the life out of my sanity and I realized that I had stopped reading for pleasure about 4 or 5 years ago. It was a terrible realization and I also realized that my knowledge of things I wanted to know and learn about had diminished to a great extent. I was reading as a part of prepping for teaching and work but not as a source of pleasure. And for me that was horrid. Maybe with the shifting of houses so many times, changing jobs and trying to figure myself out, I had lost this vital part of my existence.
So I dug out my books about 2 years ago and started reading again – something, anything. Big Bad Wolf did help as I was able to again buy books that gave me great pleasure – learning about mysteries, history, archaeology, medical horrors etc. And I realise now, that it was like regaining a part of my lost self. That self that needs nourishment through books and other forms of joy (like music, nature & food). And yes I do devour the internet regularly and content online, but nothing beats a good old fashioned book in my hand with a worthy plot to engross my mind and engage my soul.
So for those of you who have ‘lost a part of who you are’ – don’t let the cycle of daily mundaneness take away the joys that nourish your soul and give meaning to life. It makes all the difference in the world – and nothing beats engaging your mind to learn new things or create things that give you joy. Not coz work wants it and Uni demands it or anything like that. Simply coz your heart & soul need some TLC too.