Seasons 5-6 (2023)
“I lived in solitude in the country and noticed how the monotony of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.”
- Albert Einstein
When imagining the word “fun,” what images pop into your head? Do you think of loud, celebratory, joyous occasions or activities with enthusiasm, bubbly conversation, and laughter? I’ve often wondered why my more subdued versions of fun are not what most people count as “fun” activities. I happen to get the same enjoyment organizing a bookshelf or seeing a new flower open in the garden that some people do when they are zip-lining across a canopy of trees.
I enjoy activities that tend to be quieter, hands-on tasks, including gardening, reading, creating, writing, and exploring nature. That doesn’t mean I miss out on the more typical definitions of fun, as I still indulge in small bursts of exuberant fun with friends and family or when we travel. Those fun moments require more energy for me and are often followed by a nap or quiet downtime.
A few years ago, a meditation teacher shared her experience of others commenting on her more serious and sensitive nature. We agreed that often people see fun as something to strive for rather than contentment. A fully lived life can look very different from person to person. Just because a person doesn’t jump for joy, doesn’t mean they aren’t having fun.
10 Ways HSPs Can Have More Fun
As an elementary teacher, I observed how children preferred spending their free time. Some kids loved to chat in a circle of friends, while others wandered and daydreamed. If we look at fun with one definition in mind, we miss out on all the possibilities and creativity in how we all have fun.
My Idea of “Fun” Might Be Different Than Yours - An article that celebrates neurodiversity.
“Modifying the environment of a neurodiverse individual, reducing stigma, and prioritizing each person’s inherent dignity will, proponents argue, allow for such individuals to discover innate talents and thrive within a diverse society.” - Psychology Today
Putting my hands in the dirt and working with plants is how I connect with nature, especially in hectic or unsettling times. So, after the ice storm last week and hearing about the devastating news in Syria and Turkey (Türkiye) this week, I planted the beautiful terrarium I received from my mom for Christmas this year. The experts at Succulent Native were incredibly helpful in picking out my succulent garden and even added a few extras like delicate moss, a piece of wood, and tiny mushrooms. Creating a tiny world like a terrarium garden feels soothing and restorative. Observing an ecosystem on such a small scale is magical.
A friend recently shared this video with me, and I’m moved by the magic these little creatures evoke. I love how handmade creatures interact with wildlife; the photography is phenomenal. You’ll need Instagram to watch the video, but you can watch the Becorn Process Videos on David M. Bird’s website.
For this week’s video, I’m sharing photos of the ice storm here in Central Texas that, while beautiful in its wintry display, haphazardly pruned beautiful trees all over our city and knocked out electricity for thousands. While you watch the creation of the terrarium in the video, I hope that it allows you a few minutes to pause to be thankful for all those who work tirelessly to restore the infrastructure of communities after natural disasters, help to keep families warm and safe, restore natural spaces, and fill the bellies of those affected. I encourage you to donate to World Central Kitchen and Central Texas Food Bank.
The music featured in the video is Ice Breaking by Nordbring, Metamorphosis by Lucention, and Ancient Woodland by Sleeping Vines on Epidemic Sound.
WEEKEND READING
I’ve transitioned from reading mostly fantasy novels this winter to stories that mix fantasy with romance for the beginning of February. I finished reading Keeper of Enchanted Rooms last week and am halfway through Half a Soul. Both books were recommendations from Alexandra Roselyn’s Foxenwood Book Club. She’s been my go-to book guide for the fantasy genre and middle-grade book picks.
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms grabbed my attention from the beginning as the story's setting transported me deep into the swamps of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, and the cobblestones of 19th century Boston. Merritt, a struggling writer, inherits a quirky, playful, and sometimes mischievous house called Whimbrel House. Merritt must find a way to make peace with its supernatural inhabitant if he is to call Whimbrel House home and write his novel. Hulda arrives at the house just in time to help Merritt discover the mysteries of Whimbrel House. Hulda, a representative for BIKER (Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms), may be an expert in her field of identifying the source of magic in enchanted homes but is far less confident in the world of romance. Hulda and Merritt are determined to keep their relationship professional and sometimes playful, but the house has something else in mind.
“A resolve she heavily starched when alone, yet somehow managed to crinkle whenever she was in his presence.”
- Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg
The villain in this story was shockingly cruel, but the charming cast of characters (including the house) brought lightness and humor. Ultimately, Keeper of Enchanted Rooms is a story about loneliness, belonging, found family, and finding love and acceptance in unexpected places.
Castle Sounds ASMR Pairing for The Keeper of Enchanted Rooms
Forest Sounds ASMR and London Sounds ASMR for Half a Soul
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and The House in The Cerulean Sea would pair well with these novels as they are also infused with magic and romance.
In celebration of Black History Month, I encourage you to read this pair of teen romances featuring prominent Black authors -Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon. Whiteout is up next on my TBR list!
Empathy for others begins by hearing the stories of the people affected by natural disasters, civil wars, and unthinkable tragedies. My hope is that this booklist will help us to understand our world and our neighbors and see the roles we play in our communities more clearly.
“Isn’t it nice that you can just walk into your home and turn on the heat when you’re cold? You can thank Alice H. Parker for that.” Read about 10 Black Women Innovators and the Awesome Things They Brought Us in an article from Yes Magazine.
Before you head into the weekend, here are a few of my bookish finds on Etsy:
What’s my simple joy this week? Have you heard of laundry sheets? I just replaced our bulky plastic laundry detergent bottles with these. I picked them up at our local natural food co-op, and they work like a charm and reduce our plastic use.
Purchasing items from the links below helps to support this blog AND some incredibly talented authors, illustrators, small businesses, and makers:
52 Seasons Libro.fm Audiobook List
I read once that if there is something that you want to do, but you're not sure how to get there, just begin.
Writing blog posts for 52 Seasons is a creative journey into the expressions that come from my heart: writing, photography, tending a garden, immersing myself in nature, reading stories from voices that need to be heard and sharing them with others, keeping a home, being an advocate and supporter of education and basic human rights, and sharing resources with others.
Get involved in your community. VOTE. Speak out. Volunteer. One small action can create momentum for change.