Home to Me: Finding Time to Read

I have been making a deliberate effort these last few weeks as things get really busy with blogging and the approaching holidays to carve out time for me. I’m careful to make sure I’m allowing myself time to do the things that I enjoy so that even when life is busy and crazy or even frustrating and stressful there is something joyful and comforting about every day.

One of the things I really enjoy that I’ve lost touch with for most of this year is reading. If you follow me on GoodReads, you’ll notice that there’s a pretty big difference between the number of books that I read in 2014 and 2015. We’re talking like epic proportion difference.

Sitting down in a comfy chair with a good book as a mid-day work break says comfort like nothing else. Something about this act allows me to slow down and savor time, even if just for a half an hour. Too often I am rushing through the day, crossing things off of to-do list, shuffling the kids here and there, quickly throwing one more load of laundry in. If I’m not careful I can lose track of the joy of life along the way.

So, even on my really busy days I still carve out a little bit of my day to sit down and read while I eat some lunch. Bear Creek Country Kitchens new ready-to-eat, single-serve Hearty Soup Bowls are great for this. They’re full of flavor with plenty of seasoning and spices and in less than 5 minutes I can be on my way to enjoying whatever new book it is that I’m reading with a side of lunch.

This week I’m reading Red Queen, by Victoria Aveyard (I have a couple other books in my pile to start on as soon as I’m done with this one). Already I’m hooked on this story that feels like the most perfect combination of fantasy, dystopia, and maybe little bit X-Men.

I love to take a break from the reality of my world and get lost in someone else’s world for a little bit. More often than I’d like to admit, I get frustrated mid-task with what I’m working on. I might get distracted by something else that needs my attention. Or I feel a bit stuck with whatever recipe I’m working on. Or I can’t get the photos to turn out the way I’d like.

Times like this I need to step away and take a break and refocus. Reading is so perfect for that because I get so absorbed in the story that my brain is forced to take a break from whatever my real-world tasks are. Afterwards, I’m more focused and get things done faster and better. Then, I can be more home and present when Logan and Madeline get home from school.

Bear Creek Country Kitchens asked what home is to me. I think it is easier to say what it isn’t. Home isn’t the crazy business of errands and chores and work. Home isn’t working all day and then all evening after the kids go to bed. Home isn’t holing up in my office all day, working in my pajamas and skipping lunch. Home isn’t rushing through life without any downtime or fun. Home isn’t being so busy that I’m not fully present with my kids even if I’m physically present.

Home is making sure I’m allowing myself time to do the things that I enjoy so that even when life is busy and crazy or even frustrating and stressful there is something joyful and comforting about every day. Home is the people I’m with and the time we spend together, even if we aren’t actively doing something other than just being together enjoying the comfort of our home. Home is taking care of myself and creating work/life boundaries and routines that make sense for me.

 

What is HOME to YOU?

Bear Creek Country Kitchens began over 20 years ago with one goal in mind: to create home-style soups that will satisfy every appetite.  Combining high-quality ingredients and a special blend of spices, Bear Creek soups are delicious and easy to prepare. Follow Bear Creek on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Bear Creek Soups. The opinions and text are all mine.