Chronicles of Bookish Healing

August 28, 2024

Dear Adventurers,

It’s hard to believe that 2024 is almost over. Soon, the leaves will start changing colors, and those familiar jingles will fill retail stores all over the world…

I love this season, yet it leaves me feeling bittersweet and anxious. I started the Shire Bonsai Network in November 2023 after years of waiting—waiting for the courage to take the leap and the inspiration to begin this awfully big adventure.

Honestly, I wanted to be more active than I have been. My writer’s dashboard currently shows 12 published posts and 20 unpublished ones. Those stats are almost as intimidating as a hungry Gollum. But I don’t want to define myself by what I haven’t done because, in truth, my adventure has continued even when my posts lacked consistency. I’ve fought trolls, battled my inner Nazgul, read some ancient scrolls, and followed a lovely wizard to a new land. So, here it is… an update on My Life’s Adventure:

1. I got a new job… OUT OF STATE! (More tales to come~)

2. I moved in with my best friend! Imagine Gandalf’s wisdom, Samwise’s compassion, and a dash of Gimli’s “onsight” energy—that’s my best friend.

3. I created a book collection Excel sheet… Ya girl has lots of books! And my TBR is kinda scary :/

I gave myself grace… Reading has always been an integral part of my personality. It got to the point where I felt like I was betraying myself if I wasn’t reading. Slowly, reading and discussing the gems I found became a task rather than an experience that added elven light to my life. It took some digging, but I realized I needed to give myself a break—to take away the pressure. Because, you know what? The only person or entity that can pressure me IS ME! It seems simple, but it’s a profound concept for a recovering “good daughter” perfectionist. It was a much-needed wake-up call.

So, here I am, 3/4 through my 2024 reading journey, and I haven’t read nearly as many books as I did in 2023 or 2022, and nowhere near 2020… iykyk lol. But honestly, I’m okay. I’ve learned so much this year through slowly and mindfully digesting the literature I read. I consciously chose to spend the first quarter of the year rereading books that have touched me in the past, and I learned so much from going through these works again. From The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* by Mark Manson to No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh, I feel rejuvenated. I also want to credit the book I’ve been reading the longest: The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. I started the book with a blitz mentality, but its lessons deserve to be digested in morsels. And I’ll admit, I’m better for it. The courage to write this post today is thanks to a few well-timed chapters in Rick Rubin’s ode to creatives worldwide.

So, that’s all for now, my Shire Folk. I hope we can gather again soon~

Cheers to low stakes and giving ourselves our flowers every day, every minute, every second as we step closer to our Future Self.

Here's to growth, wisdom, and the journey ahead.

Much Love, Jae