The Stories We Tell: aka What I Learned From an Overdue Library Book
Did you write your end-of-school-year letter yet? Learn why it could be the most helpful 10 minutes you spend all summer and how to do it in my this journal entry.
I hope that your summer is kicking off to a great start! Mine started with an overdue library book. I've been reading a lot lately, as usual. You can check out my list of what I’ve read and recommend here.
One tip that helps me move through my reading list is to check out books from the library.
One, it saves some money. Two, let's me enjoy the benefits of my community tax dollars.
And three, it creates an outer accountability and due date deadline. Both of which inspire action for me.
But can also be a real pain point!
Oh the Pressure!
I don't always remember how a book makes it onto my list. But once it arrives on the holds shelf, I'm excited to dive in. It's like a gift that my current self is thanking my past self for.
Many times I check out more than I can read and get caught with unread pages and no more renewals. The do-gooder version of me wants to return the book on time because you KNOW a late library book is going to go on your permanent record somehow.
And the book nerd and the part of me that is afraid of "failing" by not finishing a book feels like I've got to make it happen.
It's a struggle of minor-everyday-proportions.
And since we each face everyday struggles, it's a helpful idea to learn how to navigate them with more ease and less friction.
How It Went Down
Only slightly ironic that this is the book in question. Get your copy Unplug- A Simple Guide to Meditation here! *affiliate link
It started with an innocent email. A reminder that the book I had checked out was due in 2 days. I hadn't even started it yet, but it looked SOOO interesting.
And then I took a peek.
And knew I had to read it.
I dove in, knowing it looked like an easy and helpful read. I have been wanting to find a meditation practice that I could relate to. And thinking OF COURSE I could finish it before it was due.
And friends, I of course DID NOT finish it before it was due.
In fact, I kept it for 2 more weeks! It took me a few days to read it and then I didn’t have time to make a special trip to the library before we went out of town. I even got a follow-up notification that this book was WAY overdue. Believe me, the guilt was real on this one.
Related Reading:
Unexpected Life Lessons From A Summer: What I Learned About Myself At Summer Camp
Why This Matters
Returning an overdue library book is evidence of me knowing myself better, facing the stories that come up and claiming more agency in my life.
Agency: A path toward getting unstuck
I claimed more agency in my life by not letting a somewhat arbitrary deadline dictate my actions to the point of major inconvenience and stress.
I finished the book because I truly wanted to learn more about the topic and put into practice.
I read it at a pace that worked for my capacity, nudged by the due date but not driven by it.
And I returned the book several days after I finished it because that's when I was able most easefully make it happen.
And guess what...
The Overdue Book Library Police didn't even blink when I dropped it into the slot.
It's like they don't even exist...
Know Yourself
As you go throughout your day, notice where pressures and stories pop up for you. What fears or identities are influencing your behaviors? Are they serving you and helping you live a life that lights you up?
Build up your courage for the big dreams in your heart by noticing what's holding you back in the day-to-day. And bravely face those stories, one rebellious late library book at a time!
What everyday pressures do you feel in your life? How can you start to respond to them more consciously and bravely?
Use this prompt to help you start to notice where you can increase your agency in your life, and start the journey of living a life that lights you up.
Read & Grow
Sometimes all it takes is a good book to help us learn more about ourselves.
And knowing that the library police aren’t going to come after you if you don’t return it on time.
If you are looking for a great read to give you more direction in life, check out Masters of Change by Julie Browne. I had the privilege of reading an advance copy and I have so much praise for this book! I wish I had it as a guide to name all of the fears that came up when I made the decision to leave my day job and continuing my own journey of living a life that lights me up.
"A wake-up call for someone feeling stuck in life. Noticing the identities that we use to define ourselves and our actions allows us to take ownership of our journey and change the course of our lives." -Stephanie Rose
Wishing you a week full of noticing the stories you tell yourself and start claiming more agency in your life's journey.
*post may contain affiliate links
Stephanie Rose is a mom, wife, business owner and a forever student in finding ways to know herself better. She acts as guide for your own journey, sharing insights, tools and practices to help you remember your magic and live a life that lights you up. Sign up for her newsletter and check out her free resources.
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