Lifestyle & Fitness: Writing

Why do you want to do this?

There are a couple reasons I would like to do this. First, I think reading good writing improves my writing, which is important to me since I am a staff writer at a newspaper. Secondly, the story is interesting and written in an entertaining style that also teaches the reader a lot about different places, cultures, and "worlds." (For example, the "world" of mountain climbing. The "world" of Pakistan.) Also, I have a hard time finishing things I start sometimes and especially books, even when I want to finish them. It's important to me to see this through. Finally, I've been going through a period of sadness... depression... and I think it improves my mood to feel part of something, to have a ritual of reading in which I am connected to a story.

What three things will you need to make this happen?

Time set aside each evening for maybe a half hour to 45 minutes of reading, depending on how tired I am.

A warm beverage, which is nice to have when you settle in with a good book.

Self-compassion and a commitment to return to reading this book even if months/weeks go by in which I abandon it due to busyness.

What is the biggest barrier to your achieving this?

Allowing my time in the evenings to be consumed by Facebook or spending time with friends, overstretching myself.