How to Read a Book a Week

If you are someone who wants to be able to read more but doesn't seem to have the time for it, I am going to set up a challenge for you. All you need to do is carve out 30 minutes every day.

Think about the current schedule you have. What do you do after dinner is over? After the kids go to bed? How about right before you go to bed? These are the times I use to fit in my 30 minutes. If you can carve out just 30 minutes a day, you could start reading a book a week! That is 52 books for the year! Now this will obviously depend on how fast or slow you read but even if it takes you a day or two more, you will be reading far more than you ever were before and that is something to get excited about!

There are of course I list of excuses you could give yourself, "I'm too tired at the end of the night", "I just want to veg in front of the tv". While those are perfectly understandable and acceptable, I want you to think about how you feel when you are reading. How about when you are done reading?

If reading is something you really want to get back into or get started on, then you have to just start. If the nighttime doesn't work maybe you can read on your break, or in the morning before you get out of bed. There are so many options and 30 minutes isn't really that long. Set yourself a timer and get started. I bet when the timer goes off you might even read a little bit longer once your brain is reminded about how much you like to read!

Let's start with just 7 days in a row! Carve out 30 minutes per day for seven days. Either pick a new book or one that you have put down and never finished. You can thank me later!

Good luck! I am excited to hear how it goes!

Pursue What you Want

My friend called me "The Queen of the Side hustle" the other day and I must say, I didn't like it. Now I know she didn't mean anything by it, but it hurts because that is the last thing I want to be known for. But it's also my own fault because that is what I have been doing. I don't want it to be this way but I have been trying to figure out how I can be my own boss. It is a tricky part of life for me right now; having three young kids and all. I need to put them first and therefore I take on things that will serve them first. Being a mother requires you to do that. That is why I am okay with it for now but I am still on the search to find exactly what will make me happy. For me, it is writing. I have always wanted to be one and never fully took it seriously until recently.

Therefore instead of searching for a freelance writing position, I am going to make my own. I will put out the content that makes me happy. Sure it may not be financially rewarding, yet, but someday maybe. The content that I only hope can help someone else out as well. That is why I will continue this blog, continue my YouTube channel and just document my life and share what I am doing in hopes it will help inspire someone else to do the same.

You see, we all get to decide. We get to decide what we want to be, where we spend out time and energy and not everything has to be about the money. I want to be a writer because it makes me happy. I want to share my voice, my thoughts and my experiences in hopes that it helps someone else make a better decision for themselves. In hopes that what I say and share will make a difference and encourage someone to step out of their box and be something they have always wanted. I think when we scroll by these influencers on TikTok and think "Wow, look at what they are doing. Look at all of their followers", many of us just wish we could have the same thing. The only difference between them and us is that they are putting themselves out there. They are posting without thinking and they are doing their thing. They aren't worried about the judgement. They get to be whoever they want.

Judging someone else will not get yourself any further in life. Being yourself will.

The Silence in the Sound

This book by Dianne Brailey, has easily become one of my top favorite reads. The main character Georgette, is a nurse who is living on Martha's Vineyard and taking care of a famous writer who is in his last stage of life. George is real and raw. She does what she thinks is right even when others disagree with her. She is hard on the inside but shows her weakness when alone, like we all do. She has self doubt and ignores her gut instincts. She is a girl from a broken home who grows into a woman with heavy choices to make. While she navigates figuring out her patient and providing the best care, she also finds an unexpected love whom she becomes infatuated with.

Dianne brings Martha's Vineyard nostalgia in waves and I loved every moment of that. Her story is one of hope, heartbreak and moving on. It remind us that we all see past flaws in sacrifice for love. Her story is relatable, being a north shore girl of Massachusetts myself and reading about the places I live made it that much more enjoyable. This novel also reminded me that everyone has a story and we all make it out in one way or another.

Dianne writes so beautifully. The details in this novel make you feel as if you are Georgette or right there with her. Getting immersed in Georgette's story will give you hope, break your heart and ultimately remind you what true love is and how sometimes, it leads you in directions you couldn't have planned for. This story will delight you and make you cry all in one sitting. This page turner should be paired with a cozy blanket, box of tissues and snuggly pet if possible!