Ask any bookworm their reason for reading and the common answer you get is that reading is a form of escape. Not necessarily because bookworms lead horrible, no good lives. We just have very high expectations of how our lives should have turned out.
Where are my dragons?
I didn’t quite consider reading as an a form of self care until recently. To me, reading was…just reading – a comfortable position, a good book, and a vivid imagination was what I thought it was all about.
So what is it about reading that makes it self care?
Unconscious Self Care Routine
When reading you’re ensuring that you’re in a state of relaxation – from your favourite reading spot to a drink. I know a lot of us might enjoy pampering ourselves with a face mask or sitting out in the cold breeze. Whatever you choose, you’re making an unconscious act to take care of yourself.
A Company in Solitude
Empty hours are a torture for my anxiety. I get restless and irritable. Reading fills up those hours and banishes the unwanted thoughts. Insomnia, or what seems like it, is comforted by the glow of my Kindle. Now, I love solitude – I love the peace and calm but I’m also very fidgety. Reading has helped become more comfortable with my own company. Through reading, I’ve understood myself and my thoughts better than answering any online questionnaires.
Surprising Advice
Don’t pretend like this hasn’t happened to you! Words we’ve read as a child are clasped like a locket around our neck. Every time we’re at a hard choice those words warm our skin. We may forget the plot or the characters but not these “unsolicited advice.” For many of us, it will become a part of our mantra. It becomes a part of who we are.
Confront Your Emotions
So this sounds like a complete opposite to the whole idea of escapism. But you can’t immerse yourself in the story without entangling your emotions. At a time of distress I purposely pick books that I know I’ll relate to or will help untangle the knot. I choose a sad book if I need a cry, or a happy book if need some cheering up. Books are a form self healing therapy that I don’t think many of us realize. We think it’s the escaping, the alternate reality that helps us cope but it’s not entirely true.
Do you believe reading is self care/self love? How do books influence your life?
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Camillea Reads 
I truly believe reading is self love, I agree with everything that you said. I definitely have abig list of quotes that I’ll never forget and that will stay with me forever especially during the hard times.
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I agree with everything you said. I went to a school psychologist one year when i couldn’t figure out what I was doing and she immediately picked up on how important reading was for me, so she would often ask me to relate my experiences to the things I read, which helped me a lot. She’s the reason why i have book quotes spread across pretty much everything I own, so that I’ll always have something to hold on to should I lose my way again.
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This is so true! And so fitting for today, haha 💕 I truly think reading is one of the best things to do when anxious, if you can snatch a few minutes to do it! I have a similar post up on my blog! Check it out if youre feeling like it, haha 💕
https://andreasnirvana.wordpress.com/2018/02/14/14-simple-ways-to-practice-self-love-lifestyle/
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I’ve always believed reading is an act of self love! Nothing brightens up my day more than settling down with a good book after a long, mentally tiring day. 😊
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Hear, hear! I don’t know how we’d cope without books
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I 100% agree on all of these. To this day, I remember so many stories and books from my childhood. And even if I couldn’t recount them in detail, there were lessons in those stories that stayed with me forever and shaped me to the person I am now. Reading cultivates empathy and there is nothing more precious to me than some alone time reading 😀 great post!!
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Reading cultivates empathy. That is so precious and true!
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What a lovely post! And beautifully written as well- I love what you said here: “Words we’ve read as a child are clasped like a locket around our neck”. And you’re so right about it being sort of the opposite of escapism, without our realising it. So profound!
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Thank you so much! This comment means a lot to me :’)
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You’re very welcome!
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Oh wow that’s totally it ! I havent saw it like that before – awesome post !
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What a great post! 🙂 I definitely agree that reading is self-care, for me there is nothing better than snuggling up with a book, a hot drink and a blanket after a long, stressful day. I like that reading distracts me when I’m getting anxious and helps calm me down ♥
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I love how people are able to relate to this so much! It’s interesting the different routines we have when it comes to winding down with a book hehe thank you for commenting!
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