Category: Brain

Slow down, you’re doing fine

~ melreviewsherbooks ~ 3 Comments

I don’t know about you, but I have the ability to let my brain run at a million miles an hour and sometimes, this isn’t healthy.

I tend to have the skill of thinking about every decision I could, would, should and should have made in a span of 10 minutes OR I elaborate on the ‘what if’s’. Now sure, don’t get me wrong, reflection is a very very insightful and helpful tool for appropriate situations but when it overtakes your ability to think clearly – not so helpful.

To slow down my brain and emotions, I’ve taken to using a new skill introduced to me recently.

Spend a moment letting those thoughts in. Acknowledge them. Mentally tell yourself “okay, you have 2 minutes to catastrophise, hypotheticalise, reimagine what has and will be” – and then, after that 2 minutes is up, push them out of your brain. You run them out fo town, bat them for 6 and all that!

By giving the thoughts time to do their thing and then sending them away, you’re in control. You have the ability to let them in when you want too, when you’re ready and if it’s the right time. If it’s not the right time – see you later overthinking, I don’t have time for you today 👋🏼

So sometimes it’s good to remember, slow down you’re doing fine.

If you have helpful meditation and brain slowing tips, techniques and skills under your belt – drop them in the comments below. Let’s help another book friend out today 😊💫

🖼 @theeverythingadvocate

Something I’ve learnt about blogging & social media 4 years in

~ melreviewsherbooks ~ 2 Comments

Something I’ve learnt about blogging and social media in the 3-4 years that I’ve been posting on melreviewsherbooks instagram & blog is that, for me, I cannot post for the sake of posting.

I think that posting for the sake of posting is something that people who are blogging as a business would possibly disagree with, however for me who is creating something for pleasure, I only post when I have something to say, share or have found a creative piece that resonates with me.

As you can see, my social media growth is not something I’m chasing, but more so a long term goal and something I’m moving towards as my content becomes more real, connectable and honest.

But you know what, I know who my true readers and engagers are on social media and the fact that I can still have my closest book friends message me on social media means the connection I love is still there – and that is important to me! For some, once your social media grows larger, that common true connection can become limited.

To try and explain myself a little more, in person I say to my friends and family, “I post when the feeling is there.” For me, creativity is a feeling and it comes in waves. I write creatively when I have a feeling, I cook when I have a feeling, I make changes in my like based off feelings.

Consistency is something I find hard, and that’s okay because I work a full time job Monday-Friday, I’m getting a book festival off the ground and I value time with family and friends. Sometimes ‘hussle culture’ isn’t awfully healthy for creatives because the flip side is I’d be running myself ragged to post blog posts, pictures and art that I don’t feel connected too – and you’d be able to tell!!

So in summary, I guess what I’m trying to suggest is post and create content that sparks joy and movement in you. Find a topic that you’re passionate about and go for it. Don’t pay close attention and compare yourself to other content creators in your community because you are you for a reason. And your beautiful mind is one of a kind, so why not share it 💖

Book Autonomy

~ melreviewsherbooks ~ Leave a comment
📸 Clare Fletcher *stunning country romance author*

My confessing this may come as a shock to some people but it’s the honest truth. I finished up working in my local bookstore after near 7 years of being a bookseller … and I feel an overwhelming sense of book autonomy.

Here’s how I can explain …

Since working around books, I’ve always been given the generous opportunity to read books before they’re released (many of you would name these as ARC’s ‘advanced readers copies’) which are handed onto booksellers from Publishing House representatives. This is one of the most appealing and exciting parts of bookselling.

Yet, this comes with added pressure to always keep on top of the latest books, read the most anticipated novels before they hit shelves and recommend, recommend, recommend. I don’t mean to sound like this isn’t fantastic because it truely is – but the challenge comes when new stock is unboxed EVERY SINGLE DAY. That means, every week, I was taking home at least 3-4 new titles that NEED to be read. My book autonomy dwindled. My ability to finish books grew and my bookshelf has become an absolute MESS! Plus the added piles of books overtaking my living room, desk, bedroom, kitchen has become unbelievable!

Now, having closed the bookselling chapter, I’m pleased to revisit titles that are still new and popular like; Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid; Kookaburra Cottage by Maya Linnell; The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman; Charlie, Love & Clichés by Ella Maise; I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy; Thirst for Salt by Madelaine Lucas; One for my Enemy by Olivie Blake; and so many more! (this is just SOME of my TBR books 🤓)

In summary, I’m looking forward to a little time to read for pleasure, reignite my passion for diverse genres and get planning for the July 2024 Riverina Readers Festival 📚

Thursday Real Talk: A Burning Desire for Change

~ melreviewsherbooks ~ Leave a comment

Do you ever get to a stage where you feel that if something doesn’t change in your life, you won’t have the space to grow? I like to call this A Burning Desire for Change.

I think I’m at that stage and sometimes it’s hard to understand where it’s come from, where it’s going and what will happen next. It’s a flow. And a somewhat terrifying flow for people (like myself as my friends and family would confirm) who do not like change.

Change is defined as; to alter or modify; an act or process in which something becomes different. Thanks Google.

I think the word that stands out to me the most here, and it could be quite different for you reading this, is process. Change is a process. Change is not linear, nor can it be sudden in some instances or can it be forever. But something about change is that once the idea has sprouted in your mind, body and soul, it can be hard to quiet it down.

Desire is defined as; strongly wishing for or wanting something. … Wanting.

So if we put together – a wanting to alter the process of things, we have A Burning Desire for Change.

My wanting the alter the process of things has come in the form of going back to study. I am currently underway in studying to become a Librarian Assistant. I love bookstores and have a want to be in them long-term. However, there is a burning desire inside of me to experience books and what we can do in the form of books and community combined. And this comes in the form of a library. I guess from the outside looking in, there is starting to be a melding of Social Work values and books.

What an exciting and nerve racking time ahead! But again, change is not linear and nothing in life goes to plan. Sometimes, as humans we just need to take one day at a time. One breathe at a time. One change at a time.

Are you a lover of change? At what stage of life did your Burning Desire for Change come around?

Mel x

Real Talk Thursday: That feeling of self-doubt

~ melreviewsherbooks ~ 1 Comment
@byholliestartup

I find it challenging to convince my brain sometimes that I am the best person for the job. Self-doubt can weigh in on decision making in my life far too heavily at times.

Let’s talk an example; recently, I decided to expose myself to a new opportunity/challenge and perspective. At the time of this challenge taking place, my thought patterns when a little like this … “YES! I can do this.”, “I tick all the boxes.”, “I have the ability to make this fit in my life and thrive.”. All great and probably truthful things, correct?

However, a day or so after being in that positive frame of mind, performing at a happiness rate and with confidence that is a true part of myself, I began to doubt my ability. Thinking thoughts of; “Maybe I won’t be good enough”, “I probably wouldn’t be the right fit.”, “What if I can’t handle it?”, “Surely, there is someone better than me to do this”. These overpowering negative thoughts tend to hold more traction in the human brain than the positive thoughts. Why do you think that is?

For me, I think the negative thoughts can trigger that overthinking part of my brain where hypothetical downfall is more and more inevitable. The hardest part is challenging those thoughts and proving to yourself why they are not true.

Therefore, I am attempting to change:

“Maybe I won’t be good enough” INTO “I am good enough and capable as I have succeeded in this task or identical before in X,Y,Z.”

“I probably won’t be the right fit” INTO “Why should I try and fit when maybe what this experience is asking me to do is be myself and that in fact might be the perfect fit.”

“What if I can’t handle it?” INTO “This experience may be hard at first but if I am strong enough to ask for help when I need it, learn from those with more experience and take on valid feedback, I most likely will be able to handle it.”

“Surely, there is someone better than me to do this” INTO “I am capable and strong. I am intelligent and have an abundance of experience in preparation for this challenge. I could in fact BE the BEST person for this.”

I think a lot of these affirmations are in fact transferable to many experience and aspects of life. As I can only speak from my own experiences, I have learnt that self-doubt will stop my personal self growth if I do not challenge it and remove it from my thought patterns. Growing is part of life and changing paths is also part of life. I guess that is just some of life’s beauty, we manifest what we wish to get out of this life and self-doubt is not on my list people!