Hiya dear reader, happy Wednesday!
I wasn’t here last week, DID YOU MISS ME?!
Last weeks was a bit MUCH, I was working morning through evening and then in the brief hour or so I did have free before bed, the last thing I was going to do was sit at my computer and write. I missed it though, we all know how much these posts give me a mental health boost. So it’s really lovely to be back with you this week.
I got notified recently that somebody had read a Coffee Corner post from the archives – The 5 Minute Coffee Corner: Christmas and Chaos, and at first glance of the title, I thought “Oh, how apt, Christmas still feels like chaos!” Turns out that post was from December 2021 and it was so interesting to go back and read where I was up to then. I was just leaving my job in the wine bar (something I still miss to this day!) and I was feeling the pinch of the chaos of freelance life (something still relevant to this day) but I have to admit, I definitely haven’t felt as overwhelmed and out of control of my life this year, because I’ve been doing a lot of work on myself and setting boundaries and prioritising my needs and putting myself first and saying no and all that good stuff that some of us struggle with (where my fellow people-pleasers at?!)
That brings me to this week’s theme – self-care. Tis the season after all.
Is it me, or can the festive season – whilst really fun – be really, really stressful?! Work is MANIC, socialising is MANIC, there are people bombarding you with black Friday sales and god it’s all just A LOT. It’s always the way leading up to Christmas isn’t it? This week, I’m making a conscious effort to prioritise self-care because despite what I’ve literally just said above, I’ve not been doing a great job of it lately.
But this week, I’ve set a boundary that I’m working no later than 6pm every day (give or take 15 minutes because we can’t all be perfect now can we!) and honestly, it’s doing wonders. I’m switching my Slack notifications on my phone off so that I don’t get distracted by work stuff coming in of an evening, and I am purposefully doing things like resting and cooking and watching TV and reading and not feeling guilty for it. This last few weeks/months have been a bit intense, and I’m very much feeling that old pinch that admittedly, I’ve not felt for a while because I’ve done so well at putting in boundaries. Alas, it’s still a learning curve and we all slip up now and then don’t we?
I don’t know about you, but it seems like every year, the minute November arrives, it’s just all work, all play, with no let up. I am CRAVING a weekend off. Fortunately for me, I have one this weekend! Phone notifications are going OFF, I am going to essentially disappear to the world (until I post on IG lol) and I am going to enjoy every last second of it. If there’s one thing I’ve learned this year it isn’t that self-care is a luxury, it’s a necessity.
So let me ask you – where are you feeling the pinch this year? Where do you need to put yourself first and practice some self-care? It’s vital to wellbeing and I am over here cheering you on!
Anyway, let’s get to it shall we? Here’s your weekly dose of goodness!
Reading
Welcome to The Hyunam-Dong bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum (translated by Shanna Tan)
I have a bit of a funny relationship with translated literature. In case you didn’t know this, I hold a Master’s in Translation (OOOOOOH CHECK ME OUT!) so I find that whenever I read translated literature, I get distracted by the techniques and decisions the translator made, questioning them and wondering if they intended to choose the words I’m pondering above others, and if they meant for a sentence to come across in the way it does, rather than reading the actual story. This is especially prominent in Japanese/Chinese/Korean literature where the tones feel very different to here in the Western world and it can sometimes feel a bit fragmented when reading.
But nevertheless, some of the books that stick out in my head long after I’ve read them are translated books (namely the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi) and after seeing one of my favourite authors Libby Page post about this book on Instagram, I just had to get it.
Having just gone back to her post to share with you, I noticed that she said “There are so many profound lines about books and life that I found myself bookmarking endless pages.” and honestly, no word of a lie, this was one of the things I was going to share with you. There really are so many profound quotes about books and life, and I, too, have been keeping a log of them on my phone. It’s annoying that sometimes I read books and feel like I absolutely HAVE to record the profound quotes that really impact me or make me think, but it doesn’t always happen, so I really do cherish the books that I feel compelled to do this with. They always seem to be the ones that impact me the most.
I’m really enjoying it so far – it’s a delightful cosy read and I recommend it already, but I’ll come back next week and let you know if I still feel the same when I’ve hopefully read some more.
Click here to learn more about the book.
Watching
This BEAUTIFUL, INSANELY PRECIOUS, INCREDIBLY MOVING AND ALL ROUND INCREDIBLE VIDEO!!!!!
When I first saw this video, I absolutely SOBBED and I had to watch it another maybe 500 times and continued to do so. THIS is what humanity is about. Not fucking bombing the shit out of and wiping out entire populations. NOT divisions over skin colour and race and beliefs and general government/media-stirred-up hatred. THIS. This beautiful, selfless, moving act of kindness from one human being to another. It is just the most beautiful video, and I am once again so unbelievably grateful that somebody somewhere in the world took the time to video this entire encounter so people like me here in England who write blogs can share it with you lot.
Listening
Fleetwood mac
The weekend just gone I had the most AMAZING time at a Fleetwood Mac tribute band outing with my mum! It was the first of the festive activities and what can I say, the festive season is off to a BANG!
It was an absolutely BRILLIANT night and such a joy to see what was by all admissions, a VERY realistic tribute band (they were called Fleetwood Bac for anybody interested, they were absolutely fantastic and I’d 10000% recommend)
It feels sad when I think that I’ll never get to see Fleetwood Mac in real life, and even if I did, would it be the same without Christine McVie? I think absolutely not! So this was the next best thing and it was honestly, a beautiful way to spend a Saturday night. So this week’s “listen” is a collection of my absolute most favourite songs by the band (although to be honest, it probably isn’t because I can’t choose between my favourites – it depends on my mood) or rather, a handful of their songs that really make me think or that I can listen to on repeat for the rest of my life without tiring of them.
So to kick the list off, the absolutely beautiful Landslide. I know I have shared this before but god, if there’s ever a song to make you think about life it’s Landslide. I was nearly in tears watching this performed live by that tribute band. It’s just the most beautiful song, it’s definitely in my top 10, possibly top 5 songs ever, and it was absolutely stunning to see live.
Some of my other faves include (but are most certainly NOT limited to because there are just SO SO SO MANY!!!!!)
And of course, to finish off the Fleetwood Mac fabulousness, Everywhere. Can you even listen to this song without thinking about that beautiful little backward trotting horse from the 3 advert however many years ago?! Such a great, feel-good song.
Before You Go…
For some bizarre reason, I don’t think I’ve shared this on my blog before now (I know – HOW?! I share literally EVERYTHING ELSE!!!), but for the last couple of months I have been volunteering with Bookmark Charity, who help kids across the UK to read.
During lockdown, 380,000 children in the UK did not have a book of their own at home.
380,000 children. Not a single book. In one of the world’s most established countries.
The very fact that you are here reading this blog means that you learned to read, and likely at a young age. School age. The age that these kids, who are being aided by this wonderful charity, are.
Would you believe that England has one of the lowest literacy rates in the developed world?
I found myself earlier this year looking for ways to give back to people in need without necessarily spending money that I don’t always have (lol – cue impending tax debt crisis, but that’s another story!)
Of course I do things like donate to food banks, and donate to charity, and do nice things for people, but I wanted something that felt a bit more concrete, something regular, something that I could get stuck into and feel like I was having a direct impact. I guess I just wanted a bit more purpose.
I found this wonderful charity, realised I align with literally ALL of its values, and I applied to be a volunteer. There was a short application process (application, interview, training, and a bit of faffing about at the local post office to submit documentation for a DBS check) but after that, I was set. They provide all the training, all the resources, and there’s a platform you can meet with other volunteers to get help and further resources, but also just being there makes you feel inspired by the amount of effort and time these other people give to the charity. It’s incredible. You really feel part of a beautiful community.
Last week, I finished my first course with my reader. Obviously I’m not able to divulge details here due to safeguarding, but I was working with a little boy, and honestly, it’s been eyeopening, reaffirming, and beautiful all at once. One of the (seemingly few!) benefits of working remotely/kind of for myself, is that I have the autonomy over my days. I can choose to take some time out in the day and work earlier and later to get my job done. So the idea of meeting with a child online, from my exact seat I work from all day, twice a week for 30 minutes seemed like the solution I had been looking for.
The last 6 weeks or so have been wonderful, and I honestly surprised myself with how much I enjoyed meeting with my reader on a weekly basis. I’m going to start my next course with another reader after Christmas, and I can’t wait. I think this charity and the incredible work they do is SO important, so if, like me, you’re looking for a way you can make a difference in the world and can spare an hour a week, make sure to check them out. They need volunteers. There are THOUSANDS of children in need of assistance (and I only see those schools who are actually registered with the charity), it’s astonishing. I’m always available to answer any questions you may have as well.
Anyway, that’s it from me this week, dear reader. I’m wishing a very happy Thanksgiving tomorrow to all my American readers/those who celebrate, and I’ll be back next week to catch up with y’all!
Reflect and Introspect 