This is a post by our Senior Editor, Rachel Kempton
One of the (many!) great things I’ve resolved to do in 2016 is to spend more time doing things that make me happy – like reading. I love reading and my shelves are overflowing with books that are all begging to be read. So I’ve set myself a challenge: to read a book a week, every week, for a year. As well as increasing my knowledge, giving my brain a good daily work out and opening my mind to new thoughts and ideas, I hope that priorising my passion for books will inspire me to work on improving all aspects of my life. What’s more by 31 December I’ll have read 52 books – what a great feeling that will be!
I’m only a few weeks in and I’m already reaping the benefits of burying my head in a good book for half an hour a day:
- I look forward to that little bit of me-time I carve out for myself each day
- It feels like a really productive use of my time – unlike watching TV or surfing online
- It helps me to switch off
- Reading before bed is helping me to sleep better
- Finishing a book is satisfying and that feeling of finishing things is motivating me to develop a habit of completion – in all other areas of my life
- Deciding what to read next is fun
- It’s a great way to learn more about my hobbies, interests, and passions
- Now I’m in the flow of reading, I’m excited about stepping out of my comfort zone and trying other genres/styles
I love this image about the benefits of reading by designer Raphael Lysander which includes some fascinating statistics on how reading can help with stress relief, mental skill development, and forming relationships, etc.
During January I was reading:
- Finding Your Element by Ken Robinson: a great source of help, advice and motivation if you’re pushing through the daily grind, lack passion for what you do, or are wondering how you can start doing what you love.
- Walking on Sunshine. 52 small steps to happiness by Rachel Kelly: inspired by Rachel’s own life experiences this little book is bursting with tips, tools and positive thoughts to help you better manage the pressures of everyday life.
- The Artist’s Way for Parents: Raising Creative Children by Julia Cameron: this book is packed with practical advice and is a great reminder that by taking time (even little moments) to nurture our own creativity we cultivate joy in our own lives, which we can then share with, and model for, our children.
- F**k It: The Ultimate Spiritual Way by John C. Parkin, who suggests that saying F**k It is the perfect Western expression of the Eastern spiritual concept of letting go, giving up, and finding real freedom by realising that things don’t matter so much (if at all).
What’s next? The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, which promises that I’m “about to discover how I can create the most extraordinary life I’ve ever imagined… right now.” Watch this space!
This month I’m especially grateful for these fascinating books which have taught me so much, and to the inspiring authors who wrote them. I’m also grateful to my husband who’s doing the book challenge too – keeping us both motivated – and to my sister, Lisa, who, on hearing about my challenge, sent me dozens of pictures of her bookcase and suggested we swap some books. All these things are on my Happy List.
“Be grateful for what you have now. As you begin to think about all the things in your life you are grateful for, you will be amazed at the never ending thoughts that come back to you of more things to be grateful for. You have to make a start, and then the law of attraction will receive those grateful thoughts and give you more just like them.” ~ Rhonda Byrne, The Secret
What is on your Happy List this year?
If you want to take more notice of the things that make you happy in the months ahead, download our Happy List – it’s completely free, and it’s a simple interactive PDF which allows you to note one thing every day that you are grateful for. Thousands of people used it last year and really enjoyed noticing the small and big things, and having a record to look back on. You can get yours here.
Download a low res version of The Happy List here.
Download a high res version of The Happy List here.
