Always Something

“The ‘All or Nothing’ mentality rarely gets us all. It usually gets us nothing”. John Beradi, PhD, CSCS

I read an article written by this doctor. He proposed that instead of getting nothing from all-or-nothing thinking we try “always something” instead. Can’t muster the energy to take a shower, wash your hands and your face. If you can’t do all the items on that to-do list at least check off one.

Sometimes I’ve got a lot going on and run out of time or energy to do everything I want to get done. Sometimes though I don’t even have the energy to do anything but what absolutely must get done or there will be external consequences–like make it through the workday or pay a bill that just went past due. And there is nothing left for laundry or emptying the dishwasher or even taking a shower.

I had a lot of those days over the past couple of months and even getting through a workday was hard. And because of my all-or-nothing thinking, I often did nothing else.

My therapist had me make a list of the things I used to do to keep me balanced back before everything seemed to fall apart. It’s only 7 things but looking at that list every day, it felt daunting and impossible to do them all so on many days I didn’t do any. 

Now working with my new coach, who provided that article, I’ve set a new goal to try and get 3 of those 7 done every day. But on those days I’m really struggling, I know it’s ok to just do 1 and that I can be proud of that because at least I did something.

So far this week I have done at least 3 of those things on most days and at least one on every day, which was a bit of a struggle because Tennessee and I “peopled” a lot on the weekend.

I talked about her BFF being here on Saturday in last week’s blog, but we also met with another couple for dinner on Sunday and then an old friend of mine came to visit and spent the night at our place Monday night.

We were up so late catching up that I struggled to get much done on Tuesday and had almost nothing in the tank midweek. However, I still managed to do at least one thing from my list every day and I’m feeling pretty good about that.

I’m also feeling pretty good about my book-reading goal. I did the math, and in order to get 100 books read in a year I need to read 8 1/3 books each month and I’ve read 5 so far this month. I’m still on track to make that goal.

See below for the reviews of the two books I read this week and take care, my friends.

Book 4

“The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea” by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

This is classified as YA fantasy, but there are some very adult topics discussed. It does not have trigger warnings, but it most definitely should. That being said, this is an epic adventure/hero story set in an Imperial Japanese-like world, with pirates, mermaids, magic, and queer characters .

There is a measure of predictability, though I did not see the big plot twist coming despite the numerous clues that I should have seen. It was an enjoyable read and I’m waiting for the the second book to come off hold in Libby.

Book 5

“Deep Sounding Chaos” by Adrian J. Smith and Neen Cohen

This book also had mermaids and is the first in a series, but that’s where the similarities end. This is an adult lesbian romantasy and was so much fun to read!

The biggest difference between this book and the last one is that I was privy to some of the creative collaboration that took place between the two authors as this book and series were being written.

Adrian and Neen are two of the authors that I do writing sprints with on Sundays…when I attend. I haven’t been on for a while which I hope to rectify today.

The authors are such great storytellers and I have to admit I was very curious what the sex scenes would be like between mermaids. I have to admit I’m a little disturbed by how hot I found it to be. I can’t wait to read the next book!