What do you do for fun?
While home schooling 3 kids, I live a very confined existence. We get out, but not as much as I'd like, so I look to another medium to "get out":
Novels.
Who else loves sinking into an imaginary world and disappearing from reality? *waving hand in the air* Nothing better. When I was a kid, I was a total book worm and the library was my dojo. In anticipation of summer, I'd buy a stack of books at least 8 to 12 deep, and as soon as I'd consumed the stack, we'd start hitting the library. The NYC library system was a dream come true, and Florida almost killed me until we moved into Orange County with access to the Orlando Library.
My point is, we have to occasionally unplug and regenerate if we want to be successful, balanced, and happy. This great article in the New York Times talks about how taking regular breaks actually improves productivity, creativity, and relieves stress.
I don't know about you, but the times I'm the least happy are when I'm so bogged down by task after task, I don't feel like I can take a spare breath. So then, to find true happiness, we need to establish "novel" time, or hobby/relaxation time. We can't demand too much of ourselves ALL THE TIME.
What is it you do to escape? To get away? To relax? Are you a book worm, and if so what genre takes you far, far away?
While home schooling 3 kids, I live a very confined existence. We get out, but not as much as I'd like, so I look to another medium to "get out":
Novels.
 |
| Picture courtesy of rocksee |
My point is, we have to occasionally unplug and regenerate if we want to be successful, balanced, and happy. This great article in the New York Times talks about how taking regular breaks actually improves productivity, creativity, and relieves stress.
I don't know about you, but the times I'm the least happy are when I'm so bogged down by task after task, I don't feel like I can take a spare breath. So then, to find true happiness, we need to establish "novel" time, or hobby/relaxation time. We can't demand too much of ourselves ALL THE TIME.
What is it you do to escape? To get away? To relax? Are you a book worm, and if so what genre takes you far, far away?
Novels are my escape, too! Whether reading or writing them. And who can forget real vacations? Thanks for the reminder! (:
ReplyDeleteYeah, I want one of those right now--like on a luxurious boat in the middle of the ocean with mountains of tantelizing food, sunbathing, and free time. :)
DeleteI am and always will be a bookworm, but I find myself reading a lot more non-fiction these days; in particular, books about psychology and crime like The Gift of Fear (Gavin de Becker) or The Sociopath Next Door (Martha Stout). Not really "escape" material. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I really need to run away, I delve into fantasy stories and novels. Peter S. Beagle and Patricia McKillip are a couple of favorites who can easily transport me to another place and time.
Now you've given me a few new authors to explore. Awesome, and thanks.
DeleteReading is my getaway. Before bed, I try to read, even if it's only for a small amount of time.
ReplyDeleteThat's my chat time with the hubby. I get a few minutes after teaching school but before prepping dinner...sometimes. --Hence my continual prodding at the scientists lock in my basement to complete that time-stopper.
Deletelove reading or watching films. As you rightly say, it gets you out of your own reality and let's you escape somewhere else. I also love to get outside with my camera.
ReplyDeleteOooh! A camera? I've never really gotten into photography, but it would be a blast methinks.
DeleteScience Fiction is my go-to genre for breaks. Though recently I've been watching more TV that falls into crime fiction categories . . .
ReplyDeleteWouldn't a mix of those two be great? Science fiction crime? *shivers* Now I'm getting inspired!
DeleteYes, of course. The more books the better. I like a wide variety. I can get totally sucked into a really good memoir, and also ignore the family for days if I have a good cozy mystery. Currently, reading an historical fiction that I really like, although, it's getting a little heavy on the tragedies.
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
A little of everything for me too! There's certainly joy to be found in variety, eh?
DeleteI read like crazy and I do my best to teach my kids the same. We buy and borrow all our books and I do my best to teach them the power of your imagination. We have fun but I don't think I could ever home school them. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteIt's an acquired taste--this home schooling thing. I think people might be surprised how organic it is. ;)
DeleteI like to read romance, and fluffy fun stuff. I also like to create things in my studio. Lately I haven't had time to do anything but work on our rental property, but soon I will be back in the studio doing a bit of painting with my twinkling H2O watercolors. They are shimmery bits of color that don't really require a great skill level to produce a lovely piece of art.
ReplyDeleteHappy N Day!
tm
Fluffy fun stuff, eh? Like cotton candy in a book? Paranormalcy was a great example of fluffy fun stuff, but really a stellar plot.
DeleteI think anyone who can paint is amazing. That gene skipped me. =)
I chose this topic for today too!
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike--and unfortunately, so do ours. ;)
DeleteLoves sinking into an imaginary world and disappearing from reality.... me too. I used to read those Harry Potter series hidden inside my school books without moms notice. But eventually she found out. ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL. I think my 12 yr old has read each of those books about fifteen times. (No, I'm not exaggerating.)
DeleteI really miss reading. Earlier today I had decided I need to make more time for myself to read. This post has further strengthened my resolve. I love novels and don't let myself read much since I don't get anything else done when I have a good book. My kids and house get completely neglected until I finish it. I feel guilty about that, so don't really read. Sigh. I love Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte. I think I am more drawn to classic literature over modern. Something about the style of writing. I haven't read a lot of Dickens, but what I have read, I do love. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis are also favorites. But I think my go to books are any Newberry Award winners. All of those that I have read have been wonderful.
ReplyDeleteDickens is pretty awesome, as soon as you figure out where to skim and where to read. ;) I'm a fan of the classics too--and have been reading 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea for, oh, nine months? Maybe I should finish it.
Delete