As much as I would love to admit I read a lot of books, I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve been slacking on my reading.
I used to read and listen to a lot of books. In fact, according to my Goodreads profile, I read and listened to 98 books back in 2020 and then it somehow went downhill from there.
I think the reason was I started to listen to more podcasts than audiobooks and with mom’s constantly playing YouTube in the house, I would often get either distracted by the noise (even with my new expensive earplugs) or I would get cabin fever because of the noise.
I remember during the weeks when mom had gone to Asia last December, I was able to spend some time reading nightly. No longer can I do that as I’m not a fan of plugging my ears but I can hear her YouTube videos through 2 closed doors.
That aside, I do love a good podcast and am often inspired by them, particularly the ones pertain to gardening. These podcasts have inspired me in the ways I garden like grow flowers and herbs for the pollinators and wildlife and taught me not to disturb the soil as well as practice cover-cropping to heal soil structure.
Other than gardening podcasts, I also listen to history podcasts and podcasts that helps improve mental health, which have also been inspiring in some ways as I often would find myself feeling more optimistic after listening to this kind of podcast. I feel, as the quote described, “Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere and sometimes, in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself,” I would have lightbulb moment because of the podcast.
Finally, I get a lot of my story ideas from the TV shows and movies I watch. I can’t say which genre I enjoy the most but I can say I like to synopsis of everything I watch to make sure it’s not of the horror genre. I can’t do horror unless I want to skip sleep for the next five nights.
This is Another Story 
To listen to a podcast, one needs lots of spare time.
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I tend to listen to podcasts while I’m working. I find it helps me to concentrate. On the contrary, I can’t listen to podcasts in my spare time. The noise makes me go berserk.
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That’s a good idea.
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Hi Sadje! Watching videos needs spare time. But listening to podcasts happens when you’re doing something else like commuting or ironing or gardening or the dishes. Fun!
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That’s true Rachel. I’ll try to incorporate this into my lifestyle. Thanks
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I listen to podcasts while I’m driving or while I’m working around the house. I find it a little harder to stay focused on a story when I’m just listening, so I prefer podcasts to audiobooks. I really like that graphic with the quote about finding yourself – both the quote and the graphic inspire me!
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I, too, am finding an audiobook a little harder to listen to than a podcast.
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I don’t listen to too many podcasts or audiobooks. I still like to read them. But I don’t get as many books read as you did in 2020. 🙂
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I am finding it difficult to read these days other than the few minutes before bed because reading takes concentration and with the constant influx of noise, I haven’t yet for a place of quiet to sit down to read. I don’t know how I did it in 2020, though. I think it was mostly audiobooks.
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I get that. I can’t deal with a lot of noise in the house. I’m more assertive, maybe aggressive than you are. I turn down the volume on the tv, and ask people to turn down or rather tell them it’s too loud if it’s their personal device. Once in a while I ignore it and go to my room early. I have a different relationship with them. I did have a more aggressive relationship with my mom, too, though. She was much more passive than I was, but we didn’t have to live together for long periods of time – 9 months was the longest at one time. I loved her immensely, but her habits drove me crazy. Living with another woman is soooooo hard!
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Oh, I don’t get to do that with my mom, not unless I want my day ruined by her tantrums, not that my day isn’t already ruined but I would rather tolerate the noise than her screaming and shouting.
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I get that. I’ve never lived with a screamer. I wish I could suggest something that would be helpful, but other than moving out, I have no suggestions. I’m sure you have talked this over with people much more capable than I am. You have my prayers, Yinglan. 🙂
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Unfortunately, that’s not an option for me as it’s my house and I still have a loan on it but I’m counting down the days to when I’m finally paid off this loan so I can finally save.
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I hope that brings you what you need, my friend. I’m don’t see how your mother has a leg to stand on. You seem to hold all the power and give it to her.
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Your comment reminded me of a recent podcast I heard about the Dowager Cixi – a ruler in 19th century China. Her son was just a child when he ascended the throne. Women had little to no status but ultimately, she had used her son’s emperor status and ruled the kingdom, wielding her son’s power.
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There you go! You mother is wielding YOUR power to rule your kingdom! 🙂
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Love it
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