N・o・t・e・s

 Hello, Lovely

Welcome back to N・O・T・E・S, the part of the week where I ramble about books, ideas, and everything in between — So grab your drink of choice (mine is usually a glass of the old vino), fluff your throw blanket, and let’s get into the nonsense.

The random corner of my brain where ideas and grocery lists mingle

I fell asleep while reading. Felt zero guilt.

Yes, you read it. Zero guilt! Just because you fall asleep while reading doesn’t make you a bad reader. It just means you’ve probably had a really busy day with kids, work or you’re in your happy space and feel so relaxed you’ve nodded off. I don’t give two crackers, I’ll fall asleep reading a book before falling asleep while doom scrolling!

So here are 3 tips that can help you NOT fall asleep before 10pm:

Non fiction reviews & real talk

Book: Optimum Nutrition for the Mind by Patrick Holford

Patrick Holford is a psychologist. He was very popular in the 90’s early 2000’s when every Mother and their daughter had at least one copy of this book or Optimum Nutrition. I have both thanks to my Mother. I have picked up both at one time or another and have incorporated some of his suggestions into my lifestyle and diet.

The other day, I happen to have picked up optimum Nutrition for the mind and had a look at what he had to say about sleep. I have no issues going to sleep but waking up early hours is starting to become an annoying occurrence. Suggestions he gave was

☞ ‘find ways of relaxing and de-stressing in the evening’ - reading a book, check!

☞‘If your cortisol levels are out of kilter for any reason (usually stress or a diet high in stimulants or sugar), your ability to get to sleep, to sleep through the night or to wake up refreshed are likely to be impaired’ - So I guess I’m going to ditch the weekend wine and a book and rather go for a Chamomile tea and a book at night. Let’s see if this makes a difference.

The book has lots of interesting connections with food, mineral intake and lifestyle choices that you mostly know but sometimes a reminder is good. I pick up and put it down a few times during the year and every time, there’s something different that stands out to me. An interesting book to breeze over once in a while.

Where my brain wanders without asking permission

So I’ve noticed that you are now judged by the number of books you read per month. If you don’t read 5 books or more, then your status on social media is compromised. This puts pressure on others to read more like a chore and not for pleasure or educational purposes. So what if I only read 1 or 2 books a month!

I read to relax and have a conversation with other book lovers! So, my advice is to ignore the noise and judgement and build your own ‘slow reading’ ritual.

Those little lightbulb moments, sparked by a good sentence

Not a truer word has been said than the quote above. The saying just sleep on it is another way to say it. So no, don’t make that Temu purchase at 11pm. Wait until tomorrow and see if those 10 bookmarks, that silly horse mug and a pack of 200 book and quote stickers are a good idea. I’m talking to you Margaret!

Because honesty with a side of humour is the best kind

The lie that rest = laziness

Who said that! Babe, let me tell you that just because my husband and I love a ‘lazy Sunday’ and would rather take a nap, read or journal on a Sunday afternoon instead of working on the house or run a 5k does not mean we’re lazy. The Italians take a Siesta every day and they’re one of the healthiest and happiest nations. So if you want to protect your boundaries, embrace the ‘laziness’. Be one with the ‘laziness’. Who cares, we are one of the happiest couples on planet earth!

Socials

I loooove old books. The look, feel and smell. Do I sound crazy (don’t answer) or are you the same when you pick up a book from the thrift shop and the first thing you do is smell it 😂 It’s the memory of years gone by that get you. And of course they are so pretty🧡💛🤎

Here are my social links. Lets connect

Yep, like all avid readers, I also think I can write a book. This space is where I’ll post all things writing and keep you up to date. I’m in the process of getting my Act together (see what I did there!) OMG I think I even embarrassed myself with that pun. But seriously, I’ve had a hundred different ideas that I’ve kept in a notebook. I’ve started at least four different stories but somehow this one has popped into my head and stayed there for a while so I’m taking that as a sign of it not sucking.

Thanks for spending a few minutes here in the booky nook with me. May your weekend be filled with deep reads, quiet moments, and zero guilt about slow mornings and falling asleep reading tonight.

Let the laundry wait. The book is calling.

Until next time