I’m reading again! This is really important since my day job is as a high school librarian after all. So why would I all of a sudden start reading again? Well, I’ve eliminated a past time that was replacing my reading time: Instagram. For the last month I’ve given up on that social media. Well, I didn’t give it up all the way, but I limited myself to a Sunday check in, and I can’t believe what a difference it has made in my well being. The most obvious impact was reading again! There were others benefits but first let me share some books with you ….
All of the books I read (or listen to) I can recommend because I put down books I’m not invested in. I don’t have time to read a book I’m not enjoying! First up was The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Jumped Out the Window by Jonas Jonasson. This book was delightfully hilarious–often causing Kevin to tell me to be quiet with all my giggles. After 100 years, it’s fair to say that Alan experienced a TON which the reader is privy to with this past/present story. The great thing about historical fiction for me is learning about the past. Now give me a nonfiction book, and I’ll fall asleep. But pair the past with a history and I’m sold!
After this fun read I picked up How to Stop Time by Matt Haig in the Singapore airport. I read this book in under a day. That hasn’t happened forever, and it felt so good! This is an interesting take on time travel as the main character has an agin disorder–one that makes him age extremely slow. So, Tom Hazzard, the protagonist, may look 41 but he is actually 439. Again, learning about historical events through a story is the way to go for me. And the romance in this story had my heart!
I listened to Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng since this title keeps popping up everywhere I look. Ng did a superb job with character development: I had to know what was going to happen, and the mystery stayed alive all the way till the end. Another book that I had kept seeing everywhere was The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, and I listened to this book as well. Again this WWI and WWII mystery kept me very, very interested, and the narrator did an extremely good job with all the accents and voices. The voice is so important to an audiobook. And the romance in this story did make my heart flutter a few times–especially with the beau’s burly Scottish accent!
Of course I needed to get a little young adult into my reading repertoire, so I went with a recommendation from one of my excellent student readers: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout. This was perfectly YA–a love/hate relationship with the alien next door. Yes, alien! But, hot, smouldering, beyond gorgeous alien–basically and completely other-worldly! The only downside to this story is the set-up for reading the next book in the series. I probably won’t, so I’ll be left wondering, but I think I can take a good guess that they end up together in the finale.
So yes, “Flirting is better in books” for sure! I was able to read and listen to so many books this month because I replaced scrolling through my Instagram feed with this activity. How many books is that? Five books in under a month, and I’m currently reading Replica by Lauren Oliver and listening to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, so by the end of March I will have covered seven books. This is so great and as it should be. Granted, I probably won’t be able to keep up with this amount (I did have some flights included this month and long car rides as well). But, one thing is for sure: if and when I go back to Instagram it can’t be during those reading times that used to occur in the morning and night.
Yes, I’m reading again! And it’s so great. Luckily along with reading more, there have been other benefits to giving up Instagram during the last month–like actually living in my own moments and not examining my daily moments to see if they should be covered by Instagram or not. Another thing I have noticed is the amount of joy I feel in living my own life and experiencing my daily moments rather than watching everyone else’s life go by. I mean, that’s silly! I’ve been spending way too much time comparing my life to others, becoming fascinated with what other people are doing, and feeling inadequate by the amount of engagement (or lack thereof) that I have on Instagram. Again, this is has all been just plain silly! Have I missed Instagram? Yes, totally, but I’ve learned a lot about my usage. From now on I plan to push content like before but now those people that engage with me….well, they’re the ones that are going to get my attention. They’re the ones who make me feel good. Like my mom always said, “It takes two to tango!” This is so true; therefore, those that engage with me will become my favorites, and the comparison trap I have been in has to end. Like minded people attract–in nature, or real life in this case, attract, and Instagram isn’t always real life. I don’t want to be fooled into comparing my life to others and the ideal life they are able portray. Hence, from here on out, I will continue with Instagram, but with my own clear boundaries. Oh, and the other thing: at night and in the morning, I’ll be reading, not scrolling my Instagram feed.
What part of this post do you like better?
My book reviews or my rants and revelations about Instagram?
Love this post, I have missed you on Insta but I find I have been spending to much time there myself. I’ve always enjoyed your blog so will just keep up with you here!
Awesome Bonna! So glad!! I will be returning to Instagram–just with much more awareness.
Love, Ann
Well, since I’m not on or ever have been on Instagram my view on your question may be less valid but I enjoyed hearing you summarize the way (s) you’ve found to more meaningfully use your time without it. Your life is very rich and uniquely full of new experiences Annie. The less time you spend gazing into the crystal ball of what other folks choose to share of thier real or projected, idyllic, lifestyles the better.
I’m all for living my own life as mindfully as possible. I don’t always live up to that goal but it’s a process eh?
Your books sound so intriguing and you look kind of relaxed , satisfied, and contemplative. I don’t think Instagram got you there…
Thanks Jude! Are you a reader? What’s a book you recommend? A x
“A Fine Balance” By an Indian author ( embarrassed that I can’t recall his name) and is about India under Indira Gandhi. Also is historical fiction.
Ooh, I never did read that one, but while living in India I heard plenty about it. I don’t think I’ll be able to read that one now….Maybe if I move back to India. That is one mammoth book! Heavy duty too. Did you read Shantaram? We would see the author out and about in South Bombay! A x
I didn’t read Shantaram but will check it out! Thanks Annie!
I like both bits Annie!
I’m a bit rubbish with social… I don’t like it much and should “do better” posting and engaging (I HATE Facebook and dislike Insta stories) but I’m far too busy reading blogs, magazines, papers and Books for any of that being a better social blogger nonsense!!
LOL
Reading is much better for us than scroll, scroll, scroll…..snooooooze.
I’d much rather meet up for a coffee and a chat.
It’s a shame you’re so far away… we could have a good old blether about the pitfalls of social media!
XXX
Sam
http://www.fakefabulous.com
I couldn’t agree with you more–on all of it. And I soooo wish I could meet you for a coffee. I do hope one day we’ll meet. We posted rainbow today for our Fab 40s collab and I couldn’t help but really, really miss you for this one. A x
Love.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Thank you Regine!! 😀 A x
lovely post, as I’m always interested in how other people manage their time in Instagram and social media, they’re so energy consuming!, I’ve limited the time spent in them, and I feel better. I’m still taking pictures if I feel like that, but I don’t decide if share them (or not) in the moment, I wait until it’s the time to social media. So I don’t spend a lot of time in it!
Thanks for sharing your experience.
And thanks for sharing those titles, I’m adding some of them to my list.!
besos
I like a phrase you used Monica: “I wait until it’s the time to social media.” So true. It’s actually more fun to live in the moment, decide that something deserves a pic for the memory’s sake, then decide to share it later on. Right?
All the social medias…. they need some limitations for sure!
Thanks for stopping by Monica!
Ann
I love the reading recommendations, as I have returned to reading much more lately and feel so much better for it! As for Instagram, I don’t look at it much and only ever post the odd photo of my dog on there. It is a strange platform that I don’t quite “get”, and I can see how it would quickly become demoralising. Most of my followers are random brands I have never heard of, clearly the etiquette is to “follow them back” but I don’t play the game! Oh, and several others fall into the “dashing older men” category, again people I don’t know and who follow me out of nowhere. Spam accounts, I suspect. So yep, all in all, I find it a bit soulless and would far rather just read my favourite blogs.
Ooh, I hate those rando “dashing older men” accounts. So icky! Luckily I don’t think I have very many of them. But every now and then I’ll get a request for a direct message, and icky. Decline!! I like the ones where I accept and make a new friend instead.
Thank you for coming by and taking the time to comment Rozanne. I really appreciate it! What’s your favorite book these days?
Love, Ann
My favourite books at the moment are by Kate Atkinson. I have recently devoured Case Histories and One Good Turn, do you know them? Both detective stories on the face of it, but more about the characters. Her writing is so breathtakingly observant of the small giveaways about people’s natures. She can be scathing at times, but it is underpinned with such a humane melancholy and understanding. You get properly absorbed in their world! Highly recommend!
I’m so happy you are happy! I do spend time away from IG and FB but not a full week yet, much less a month! Days, yes. I don’t put extra pressure on myself to post my ootd when I’m busy with friends and family. I enjoy seeing other people’s posts and I do get a lot of inspiration from IG from people like yourself. I don’t compare myself or feel competition – it’s all fun and in a good spirit of “isn’t this fun?!”
Cindy, you seem like you have such good life balance. And your smile on Insta is always contagious! It always makes me grin!! Plus you have a very good attitude on life.
Hence, why I follow you!!
Big hug! Ann
Than you Ann. I think I’ve come to this place but not without lots of ups and downs. I was in an abusive marriage for 21 years and our only son died when he was 22. So I’ve had some really bad times, I’ve experienced divorce, death, depression, lots of counseling and thankfully I’ve come out even better. I am a genuinely happy person and a positive person (to a fault). I do feel I’ve come to this place – a happy, balanced life, with very little stress. I do have to thank my supportive husband for helping me get here and enjoying it with me. xo Cindy
Thank you Liz! I love seeing you here reading!! I need to thank Catherine a ton. Wow! She’s always so amazing at connecting the entire community isn’t she!?
Slave is the actual word isn’t it? Even my husband commented last night….”I thought you gave that [Instagram] up?!” Yes, but I trickle back and succumb to watching. It’s the stupid Instastories that gets me! And then I’m like, Ann, live your own life!! But it’s at night time or in the morning–and that’s when I need to be reading! Ha. Looks like I just opened up my rant all over again just in replying to you Liz. Sorry! *blush*
Thank you though for stopping by. I hope you come again!
Love, Ann
Yep, social media take up too much of our precious time. I cut back on commenting (but do go through your posts) and I know of a blogger who quit Whatsapp and all her Whatsapp groups and found herself with two whole hours extra a day. We do tend to go down the rabbit hole.
Greetje