While I don't consider myself a Bibliophobe, or someone who hates reading, I think it is safe to say that many people have anxiety when it comes to opening the cover of a book and investing all of their time into a story they know nothing about. My averseness to reading started at a young age, filled with timed reading tests and rhetorical analyses. I dreaded it. There is a true saying that as you grow older, you grow out of bad habits and distastes. I feel like I've now come to appreciate the wonders of a new book, finding escapism through different worlds and new narratives to become immersed in.
Living with English professors and writers did me justice, but I think the noise and constant tremor of the internet has lead me to other things outside of social media rhetoric and into new worlds I discover in books. As someone who was a non-reader before, I have found a couple handy ways to reassess this distaste for reading and a motivation to find books I actually like reading, as well.
This can be probably one of the hardest steps to finding a good book and to start liking to read again. Books we read in school were forced upon us with a strict list of classics and not much room to explore multiple genres beyond Charles Dickens or F. Scott Fitzgerald. Walking into a library alone can seem intimidating and now that we can't go into libraries as we used to at our own leisure, finding books now can seem even more tedious.
For someone like me who likes mixed genres or doesn't exactly know the exact type of book they like, the stress of finding the "perfect" book to read can seem daunting. However, I confided in a book club to help me start my genre discovery. I have Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine bookclub to thank for that. I know what you're thinking, Natalie, there are SO many other great types of books out there! And I hear you, but this is what has worked for me and I've come to love the variety of authors and genres I've read so far. Reading is a unique journey for everybody, so be open to discovering book recommendations from other people who might be interested in the same topics you are.
Avoid Decision Fatigue...
Much like finding a book, choosing the book can be a much more stressful and exhausting idea. But to put it simply—it doesn't matter which book you choose as long as you read it. Don't go to Barnes and Noble, go to understocked book stores or smaller libraries so that you're not bombarded.
Making a decision on what book to read can be so draining, and I've been there. You can also subscribe to reading lists, book subscriptions, or find a Little Free Library around your neighborhood to make the choice a lot more easier.
Make Reading Time a Part of Your Time...
So many people I know say they want to start reading again, but that "there's not enough time" to dedicate to it. I think it's BS because all of that time spent on our phones—which is an average of 12 hours and 9 minutes per day—could be spared to sit down and digest a couple chapters of a book. Focus is a muscle and the desire for easy entertainment is like a craving for junk food. Rather than binge watching Netflix, it will feel a lot more gratifying to recount books you've read and actively consume something more worthwhile to your mental rigor than Tik Tok videos late at night.
I try to start reading at least an hour or so before I go to bed. That way, my eyes are not strained by blue light and reading will naturally help me fall asleep. Plus, you'll be able to remember what you read when you wake up since it will be fresh on your mind. If you can dedicate a separate time for reading, when you are most motivated and have the most focus, it's definitely a more suitable entertainment option. Plus, it drowns out the noise of social media.
It's easy to forget that reading is a privilege not an obligation. We are not forced to read anything, and school has definitely stripped away our enjoyment of reading—no 12 year old should have to read Shakespeare. We are so lucky to have access to millions of new perspectives, ideas, and stories in our history. Oscar Wilde said it best: It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.
Books can be as easily accessible as you make them to be, nothing is beyond your reach. I love that books can allow me to travel through time, learn from remarkable people, and discover complex topics that challenge me and alter my way of thinking. It will only be a matter of time when going a day without reading will be unfathomable, so why wait?
Fall is finally here and I think the majority has been waiting for this time of year since January. The leaves have finally started to show some amber and maroon shades, there's a bite to the wind, and you already know I've had a Pumpkin Spice Chai or two. What I love about this season is making my place cozy, warm, and inviting—much like I set out this blog to be! I know decorating can be a great seasonal hobby for some, but for college students on a budget (and for those who might not feel like going to TJ Maxx or Home Goods for the 20th time this week), here are some extremely budget friendly ways to get your place feeling like Gilmore Girls without breaking the bank.
Switching Out Textiles...
A simple reshuffle of pillows and throws can make all the difference on the coziness meter of your space. Whether it's changing out a pillow case or flipping over a blanket, it is so easy to make a space feel more inviting and warm with tons of textiles and fuzzy cushions. You can't go wrong with more pillows! Pulling out a fun wicker basket to store them in for friends and family is also a nice considerate touch.
At Your Local Dollar Store...
The best way to gather inspiration for fall decor on a budget is at your local Dollar Tree or Dollar General. I always find the most inexpensive decor pieces and craft items, more specifically, to create unique and intricate seasonal pieces. I was inspired to create this fall wreath by my cousins who had a wreath making night, so I decided to recruit my good friend to try and create a small one with things I could find either around the house or only from the Dollar Tree. All of the leaves, pinecones, ribbon, string, and even the foam wreath itself were found for less than $10. Instead of gluing everything, we were able to cut the pieces and stick them right into the foam. Here are 32 Easy DIY Fall Wreath ideas! A mini wreath like this will get any door or candle looking festive.
Walls can use a little spruce with updated art and prints! I think the color and patterns on the walls can really impact the warmth of a room, so why not use prints to amplify it even more? No need to go out and buy new prints when you can either draw or paint, reuse, or update old pictures on the walls.
I love to save my old Rifle Paper Co. calendars and cut them out so I have an array of prints to cycle through and ones that can be perfect for every time of the year. I've never been to Copenhagen, but this print sure makes me want to go! You could even try newspaper or magazine covers to create a collage on my bulletin board as I have with my old film photographs for a vintage and eclectic type of look.
The best way to instantly make your house feel and smell autumnal is to bake to your heart's content. I made cinnamon banana-nut bread this weekend and even made some extra loaves for later. There are many simple recipes, so here is an inspired banana walnut bread recipe that I love to refer to. I've seen people drying orange slices, roasting cinnamon almonds, and making all of the pumpkin spice flavored baked goods you could dream of. Find the ingredients laying around and you might be surprised at what you can concoct.
This time of year brings so much joy as the seasons change and it shouldn't have to cost you. There should be no pressure to "update" your fall decor because there are so many easy ways to refresh and revitalize what you already have laying around your house. I've even made a #fallfeels2020 Spotify playlist to set the mood and that's really all you need.
This time of year is meant for big changes and also letting go of things that are built up inside us. If there's one thing I know well, it's reorganizing and redecorating a space, which can always be a mood booster. Don't let the seasonal blues get you down and be inspired to create the coziest abode you desire! What are some budget friendly things you do to make your space feel more autumnal?
The only thing I want my skincare to accomplish is making sure my face looks somewhat alive during my Zoom classes—that's not too much to ask, right? Well, as the season transitions, my skin has actually been doing quite well considering how dry it usually gets. Maybe it's because I have more time to dedicate to self-care and more time to consider what I'm putting in my body that might be affecting what happens on my face.
It's always a constant experiment, but I think I have it down to a tee because there are only a few new additions to my skincare routine. I don't always want to achieve the "glowy" skincare look, but my face has favored the extra moisture and I'm just rolling with it!
Drunk Elephant
My absolute favorite new addition to my skincare has been Drunk Elephant's array of cleansers, which I have to say are not financially the best products to choose (I always refer back to the Cera Ve cleansers), but I got these mini trial sized products and cannot get enough of them. Before you go and look up how much the Drunk Elephant Polypeptide Cream really is, for someone who has extremely sensitive skin to the point where most moisturizers make it burn—this has done wonders. I will keep buying trial sizes until I end up convincing myself to get the full size container. It also came with the silkiest makeup remover, which is the Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter and it sounds as delicious as it is effective. You apply it onto your dry and dirty skin at night and everything just vanishes. No rubbing, no burning, and no grime.
First Aid Beauty
First Aid Beauty is F.A.B. in so many ways. First of all, I can always score on products at TJ Maxx, who doesn't love a good deal? And it is always my default when I'm looking for hydrating and exfoliating products because I know it won't harm or be abrasive to my skin. The Facial Radiance Polish is like no other St. Ives product you've used. There are no harsh beads, but just flecks of natural shea nut shell powder which is biodegradable and supports your skin barrier. The height of summer left my skin a bit loved by the sun, so I revert to the Ultra Repair Cream on days when scaly hands, arms, and even my face arrives this fall and winter. To have the ultimate eye lift and de-puff, I've still been using the 5 in 1 eye cream which apparently tackles five common signs of aging!
Other Hit Favorites
Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask —Origins' products have always been a classic go-to when it comes to finding a charcoal mask for anyone who is prone to breakouts, oily skin, and visible pores. You can always find Origins products at TJ Maxx, as well, so check there first! Any of their products are worth trying out, especially their masks and exfoliants.
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Face Serum —This was a bougie little trial size I received from Sephora. I'm not too keen on using serums, probably because I associate serums with aging, but I've found my skin to be much more perkier when I use this on my cheeks and neck.
Cera Ve Tinted Hydrating Sunscreen —Cera Ve was a new discovery thanks to Tik Tok, but I already knew their eye cream took the cake. When I found out they made a tinted sunscreen, I was all on board. It's one of the most affordable skincare and safest brands out there. The only downfall of this sunscreen is that they do not make any other shade, which is a missed opportunity. However, It was perfect for daily application during the summer and I'm trying to be more active using sunscreens all year round.
I've probably invested more in skincare than I have in makeup this year, which might not be such a bad thing. What products check out on your autumn vanity?
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