reading fiction for a cozy soul
Finding fiction tailored to you is an art form of its own. Simply making your tbr (to be read) list is an opportunity for self-reflection, fine-tuning your interests, and opening new doors to your soul.
Start with a list of 5-25 books that you want to read when you have free time, a clear mind, and no deadline in sight. Through this practice, I learned a lot about myself and noticed some relaxing benefits.
I started watching book recommendation videos and got hooked on the energy it was feeding me. I started with opinions that I already followed and then explored my favorite genres and their new releases. About 20 videos later, I discovered a subgenre of leading cat characters who help solve cozy mysteries. What?! This gave me so much freedom and excitement to find books that actually sounded fun to read. It struck a nostalgia cord, tending to my inner child, and bringing back my OG Emily self.
As a spa researcher, I read about 95% non-fiction which provides information about this reality. Fiction, on the other side of the library, is a multi-universe that uplifts a tbr to the soul level, bringing stories from different histories, cultures, povs, and vibes.
Research on the benefits of reading shows that reading keeps the brain healthy by decreasing signs of dementia, increasing attention span, and decreasing levels of stress. I noticed how it shifted my thoughts buzzing with tasks and worries to falling in line, softly like a good book.
To compare a tbr list from a book nerd to a normal person, I brought in my brother. Calvin, who is a sports and pop culture nerd, updates me on normal people things like just the other week, he had to explain to me about those Squid Games.
Calvin is interested in filmmaking so for inspiration, I sent him a list of movies based on novels and by exploring how fiction brings originality to the film industry, he also experienced the benefits of making his tbr list.
For a book nerd who has a long list including classics, recommendations, and re-reads, I designed my tbr in a couple of steps. First, I wrote down all the books on my mental list. I then imagined holding each book and scoring my level of interest from 1-5. This helped to differentiate a 4, maybe one that everyone loves, from a 5, one that I am actually looking forward to reading.
Then I gravitated towards the characters and writing style of my favorite authors and their pen names. I also got hooked on series based on hobbies like cats, cars, culinary, and crafts, most likely a 5 for me.
For a while, I was stumped on how to describe this next level of relaxation for Spa Research. Designing a tbr list is so personal that it creates this inner magic, blossoming our identities to balance out the analytical, problem-solving, career-driven society.
Making my tbr list and picking up a work of fiction, I expected a decrease in screen time and anxiety. I was pleasantly surprised that it also helped me with appetite, food anxiety, suppressed emotions, and an increase in a cozy soul.
not gonna lie, holding a stack of books can be lit therapy too
2023, Los Angeles / During my meditation teacher training, I researched how the brain works and wrote posts on brain scans, brain waves, and the pineal gland.
sometimes lit therapy is a stack within decor
sometimes lit therapy helps me through food anxiety
August 11th, 2024
Happy Book Lover’s Day (August 9th)
