Reflecting on the past year, I would describe 2023 as a “Year of Firsts.” Mostly related to my hobbies, there were things I tried or achieved for the first time. Whether they were bike riding events, traveling to new locations, or just trying new eateries (like a revolving sushi restaurant), I am glad to have experienced these things.
My second year accomplishing the Tour de Donut is in the books! In 2022, my husband and I learned about the unique Troy, Ohio ride at the last minute and signed up two days before the event. Coined as the "sweetest ride in Ohio," the Tour de Donut is a fun challenge with donut stops along routes that range from 9 miles to 58.5 miles. You get five minutes deducted from your ride time for each donut you eat.
I’m not one who puts a lot of effort into styling my own hair. I usually get haircuts that are low maintenance because I don’t like spending a lot of time getting ready in the morning. And for as long as I can remember, I convinced myself that I lacked the ability and creativity to do my own hair.
Commonly referred to as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster,” the Grouse Grind is a very challenging trail that is 2.9 km (1.8 mi) in length with 2,830 steps gaining 853 metres (2,800 feet) in elevation. For safety reasons, downhill travel is prohibited (meaning be prepared to finish if you start it).
Some books I finish fairly quickly (e.g. within a week or two) while others take much longer (e.g. several months or more). And, I admit I have a pile of books I have yet to start.
Usually, I like to start and finish one book at a time. For some reason, I found myself reading two or three books concurrently.
Some books are short, easy reads, or so engrossing that I finish them quickly, while others require more time and effort. Some contain exercises to complete before moving on to the next chapter. Others, though captivating and thought-provoking, may require a deep dive that takes more energy and time to process. In those cases, I have to be ready or at least in the mood to take in the info.
It gives me a sense of accomplishment to finish a book. But, as much as I want to finish, I realize I’m not in a race.
I had started multiple books last year. After many months, however, it started to weigh on me that I still hadn’t finished any of them.
Reasons for not finishing could include a lack of interest in the subject or not having enough time. It could be that I’m unmotivated or feeling lazy or that the subject matter requires more time to process and/or do the exercises.
The Art of Choosing and Hold Me Tight are two books (among others) that I started last year but hadn’t finished.
I picked up The Art of Choosing by Sheena Iyengar at a very cool bookstore in German Village while visiting my cousin in Columbus, OH. This book is based on the author’s research on the psychology of making choices, though when I first bought the book, I thought it would offer more in the way of guidance when making choices. It is well written and interesting, but its academic nature kept me from finishing it quickly.
Hold Me Tight: Your Guide to the Most Successful Approach to Building Loving Relationships by Dr. Sue Johnson came highly recommended by various people I follow on Instagram. This book discusses the author’s EFT (Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy) model of emotional connection in relationships to strengthen bonds. This caught my eye because I wanted to approach conflict in relationships differently. As I read this book, there were many moments when I reflected on my current and past relationships. That process was enlightening yet mentally and emotionally draining which is why it wasn’t a quick read for me.
No one should feel like they’re wasting their time reading a book. And, if you aren’t enjoying it, then you probably shouldn’t finish it.
For me, I want and choose to finish reading a book if it is interesting and well written. I don’t mind if it is complex, serious or requires that I do some work like reflecting, answering questions or doing exercises.
I’m happy to say that I finally finished reading both The Art of Choosing and Hold Me Tight. I committed to reading a little each morning until I finished one before moving to the next. I would read as much as I could absorb before overloading my brain, becoming distracted or uninterested even if that meant reading only one or two pages.
Even though it took me much longer to finish than I would have liked, I still got a sense of accomplishment.
Now… onto the other books I’ve already started. I am determined to finish them even if it means reading a little at a time.