Skipping with Glee, It's a Book for Me!
Jul. 27th, 2022 06:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
drippedonpaperI admit, I don't understand why some people seem to needlessly try out new styles, hair cuts, hair colors, new nail polishes, or constantly get new tattoos. I'm not against change, but rarely feel very pressured to change my appearance. I'll change my habits and my preferences yes, but my appearance? I just don't feel that need. I'm not against modifying ones appearance, I just rarely feel much need to modify my outward body.
The main thing I might change, if I could, is my unconventional height (I'm 5 feet 11 inches, which is relatively tall for a female), but since that's off the table, why bother too much with the rest? Perhaps even my height and size tilted me away from a joy of shopping (so many things are too short or too small), so I turned to books instead.
In my internal quest to understand others' urges to change their behavior or their styles, (and yes, I am especially thinking of my 15 year old daughter, who repeatedly has "nothing to wear"), I realized that maybe I don't care much about outward modifications because I take that desire for change inward.
I read once that some children do not like to read because they can't imagine the story in their minds. I admit, that sounds like unspeakable tragedy to a reader like me! I am forever grateful for my ability to read. It was one of my main motivations in becoming a teacher: the desire to give others the doorway to both education and escape, the ability go anywhere in life without even leaving their seat. I do think I share the same desire for change that other people do, but instead of funneling it into perhaps trying new hair colors, I just step into a book, and have an adventure.
I love how at any time I can "become" which ever character I choose, based on a book. I can quietly sit here, staring at a page and those around me will have no idea that I am actually galloping through a field and tossing my mane like Black Beauty. When I read, I can learn about or "become" anyone. I can be a male or female character, or a horse, a fairy, or a wolf. I am only limited by which books I can find to read.
My reading preferences are very eclectic, depending on how I am feeling. I love fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry, mysteries, thrillers, biographies, science fiction, and fantasy. Any time I am bored with my conventional life, I can become someone else with the flick of a page. Today, I might have wings or tomorrow, I might become a knight of the Round Table. I can fight without ever learning how to wield a sword. I can swoop around as a ghost, flick my tail as a mermaid, or sail to the end of Narnia all in the same day!
All the experiences and imaginations of people are available for me to dwell in whenever I decide to read about it. And as long as I have this ability to become anyone I want to be, why would I squander my reading moments waiting to wash off some hair dye?
I think most of us have hobbies or activities that we do to feel free of others' expectations. For me, all I need is a good book and usually, I am happy as a clam. I try to vary my life. I do try to exercise almost every day, but maybe part of why I love yoga especially is because of the internal focus. As I breathe, I can focus on or imagine anything I want. My inner world is so interesting (to me anyways), that at times I am surprised if I see myself in the mirror. Do I really look like that? I almost lose track of myself, because today I feel surely I look like Sherlock Holmes, or a geisha, or a red-headed Irish lass about to immigrate.
In some ways, I have a somewhat traditional way of life, but I like to think my mind is unconventional. By that, I mean I am open to and can imagine many possibilities, many ways to live, and many sides to different issues or problems.
In this new wisdom, I am trying to use what I have learned about myself to sympathize more with my peers and my daughter. I guess I might be forever seeking that perfect style if I did not find this extreme joy, almost an ecstasy, through reading. I can't imagine life without this kind of joy. So if others feel this joy from clothes or tattoos or other means, I need to recognize their right to pursue their own particular brand of happiness.
Here is a photo of my book club, (I am the tallest in the back):
This is one (yes, I have more than one) of my book cases. And no, I don't keep all my books, but there are 5 of us in my family.
And here is me, about to read. At 44 years old, I now require reading glasses:
I'm certainly not willing to ever stop reading! I'll never willingly give up my glimpses of living other lives. And, remember, I'm always open to book recommendations. I'd love to learn about any books you think I might enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If interested, here are articles about what can affect reading:
https://www.sciencealert.com/some-people-can-t-picture-things-in-their-mind-and-it-might-make-it-hard-for-them-to-remember
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-illness-and-reading
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-34039054
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/jun/04/aphantasia-no-visual-imagination-impact-learning
The main thing I might change, if I could, is my unconventional height (I'm 5 feet 11 inches, which is relatively tall for a female), but since that's off the table, why bother too much with the rest? Perhaps even my height and size tilted me away from a joy of shopping (so many things are too short or too small), so I turned to books instead.
In my internal quest to understand others' urges to change their behavior or their styles, (and yes, I am especially thinking of my 15 year old daughter, who repeatedly has "nothing to wear"), I realized that maybe I don't care much about outward modifications because I take that desire for change inward.
I read once that some children do not like to read because they can't imagine the story in their minds. I admit, that sounds like unspeakable tragedy to a reader like me! I am forever grateful for my ability to read. It was one of my main motivations in becoming a teacher: the desire to give others the doorway to both education and escape, the ability go anywhere in life without even leaving their seat. I do think I share the same desire for change that other people do, but instead of funneling it into perhaps trying new hair colors, I just step into a book, and have an adventure.
I love how at any time I can "become" which ever character I choose, based on a book. I can quietly sit here, staring at a page and those around me will have no idea that I am actually galloping through a field and tossing my mane like Black Beauty. When I read, I can learn about or "become" anyone. I can be a male or female character, or a horse, a fairy, or a wolf. I am only limited by which books I can find to read.
My reading preferences are very eclectic, depending on how I am feeling. I love fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry, mysteries, thrillers, biographies, science fiction, and fantasy. Any time I am bored with my conventional life, I can become someone else with the flick of a page. Today, I might have wings or tomorrow, I might become a knight of the Round Table. I can fight without ever learning how to wield a sword. I can swoop around as a ghost, flick my tail as a mermaid, or sail to the end of Narnia all in the same day!
All the experiences and imaginations of people are available for me to dwell in whenever I decide to read about it. And as long as I have this ability to become anyone I want to be, why would I squander my reading moments waiting to wash off some hair dye?
I think most of us have hobbies or activities that we do to feel free of others' expectations. For me, all I need is a good book and usually, I am happy as a clam. I try to vary my life. I do try to exercise almost every day, but maybe part of why I love yoga especially is because of the internal focus. As I breathe, I can focus on or imagine anything I want. My inner world is so interesting (to me anyways), that at times I am surprised if I see myself in the mirror. Do I really look like that? I almost lose track of myself, because today I feel surely I look like Sherlock Holmes, or a geisha, or a red-headed Irish lass about to immigrate.
In some ways, I have a somewhat traditional way of life, but I like to think my mind is unconventional. By that, I mean I am open to and can imagine many possibilities, many ways to live, and many sides to different issues or problems.
In this new wisdom, I am trying to use what I have learned about myself to sympathize more with my peers and my daughter. I guess I might be forever seeking that perfect style if I did not find this extreme joy, almost an ecstasy, through reading. I can't imagine life without this kind of joy. So if others feel this joy from clothes or tattoos or other means, I need to recognize their right to pursue their own particular brand of happiness.
Here is a photo of my book club, (I am the tallest in the back):
This is one (yes, I have more than one) of my book cases. And no, I don't keep all my books, but there are 5 of us in my family.
And here is me, about to read. At 44 years old, I now require reading glasses:
I'm certainly not willing to ever stop reading! I'll never willingly give up my glimpses of living other lives. And, remember, I'm always open to book recommendations. I'd love to learn about any books you think I might enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If interested, here are articles about what can affect reading:
https://www.sciencealert.com/some-people-can-t-picture-things-in-their-mind-and-it-might-make-it-hard-for-them-to-remember
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-illness-and-reading
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-34039054
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/jun/04/aphantasia-no-visual-imagination-impact-learning
no subject
Date: 2022-07-29 07:16 pm (UTC)But I do think that carving out that time, however forcefully it needs to be done, is important, so it's something I try to work on.
On a side note, I'm definitely one of those people who constantly changed up their look. I couldn't really point to why, other than trying to find something that really fits my personality. I eventually settled on generally wearing brightly-patterned short-sleeve button-ups and sensible shorts or slacks. I do love attention in certain cases, but I've come to a point in my life where I don't really rely on what others think of me. I wear busy patterns because I see them and think they're pretty and artful, and I'd like to wear that. It works. :)
I think most people that are constantly switching up their style are probably like me and just trying to figure out what fits them - it's sometimes hard to push past society's expectations (whether that means conforming to them or rebelling against them) and figure out exactly who you are in your own skin. I think for many of us, really figuring out who you are on the outside can facilitate the process of looking within. I know that for me, at least, once I had finally managed to settle myself on a general outward appearance that I felt fit, it was much easier to start looking inward.
Great entry; you gave me a lot to think about! :)
no subject
Date: 2022-07-30 12:43 am (UTC)I had not thought of it as a step toward inward discovery. So there is a "good purpose" to all this change. I swear, it's hard to keep up sometimes! My youngest especially has had so many "fashion phases."
I'm glad you found a style that makes you happy. :)
And yes, it's always a divide between feeling one is "neglecting" family and reading. I admit, my (2nd) husband's love of reading created a bond. We actually met at a book swap :)
He loves to read and so do 2 of my 3 kids. But yes, I do understand. We all have to divide our time. I do actually love how Idol kind of gives us a "deadline" to read so at least I have an excuse to read all the entries every week :)
I really appreciate your insight! Thanks!