This reminds me of when I was working as a middle school librarian and I created a nice sanctuary for teachers and students, myself included, I remember just reading a few lines of my favorite book could bring me back to myself. Libraries and book stores alike, it's where the readers are 🧘🏽♀️🙏🏽💙📚 in the stacks.
Garuda, what a beautiful image—your library as a sanctuary for everyone, including yourself. I love that: just a few lines of a favorite book bringing you back to yourself. That’s exactly the kind of reset I was reaching for too. There’s something sacred about those quiet, book-filled spaces—where the nervous system can exhale and the soul can breathe. Grateful to be *in the stacks* alongside readers like you! ❤️📚✨
You are such a good writer! I felt really pulled into your description of the bookshop. Bookshops- especially old ones- are so grounding, aren't they? I'm glad you have that safe space.
I absolutely love old bookshops—they feel sacred and somewhat magical. So many stories and so much heart and soul in one place. I had a place like this when I lived in Denver. It was amazing.
So I have published a fiction book and that will remain secret because I wrote and published it when I was like 12 so it’s awful. lol
I think the attention from it also was hard for me—even though it was a minor self-published thing. But it was suddenly like everyone knew me and had an opinion about me. Then they read my book and it felt very exposing—like sharing a piece of my soul to everyone! At such a young age. Even a decade later, I had people Facebook messaging me and asking about a sequel.
I have since written three or four other books—secretly. Very few eyes seeing them.
However, last summer I wrote another and I’ve decided to be brave and have the goal of publishing it professionally. That’s the main reason I’m here. ❤️ I have some of it ready to publish in my Substack drafts :).
I do so love writing. It’s my safe place. ❤️
P.s. and totally random—we had chatted about our love of kdramas, yes? Have you watched Netflix’s new Kpop Demon Hunters movie?
Wow, what an interesting trajectory! I can see how that could be overwhelming at that age. That's incredible that it got that response and must speak well to your writing!
I can definitely hear the "fiction writer" in you. I'll look forward to when you publish your next!
Haha, yes I do love kdramas and no, I haven't! Is it good? I'm watching "Our Unwritten Seoul"
And YES—I’d say KPop Demon Hunters is my new favorite movie of all time. And that’s saying something! If you watch it, let me know what you think :). I need someone to nerd out about it 😂
I will look into that kdrama! I need a new one in my life right now. ❤️
Debbi, I’m so glad this essay gifted light and warmth. May those feelings of goodness, belonging and safety travel with you in so many beautiful moments today and beyond. ❤️
Barbara, it fills my soul with goodness and light to read your comment. I’m so glad my story brought that to you as well. May the beauty you experienced and all the goodness go with through the day today—in the small and big moments—and beyond. ❤️
Kalina, I’m so glad sharing this story could be a place of rest for wonderful people like you. May the peace and light you experienced flow through your day and beyond. ❤️
This reminds me of when I was working as a middle school librarian and I created a nice sanctuary for teachers and students, myself included, I remember just reading a few lines of my favorite book could bring me back to myself. Libraries and book stores alike, it's where the readers are 🧘🏽♀️🙏🏽💙📚 in the stacks.
Garuda, what a beautiful image—your library as a sanctuary for everyone, including yourself. I love that: just a few lines of a favorite book bringing you back to yourself. That’s exactly the kind of reset I was reaching for too. There’s something sacred about those quiet, book-filled spaces—where the nervous system can exhale and the soul can breathe. Grateful to be *in the stacks* alongside readers like you! ❤️📚✨
You are such a good writer! I felt really pulled into your description of the bookshop. Bookshops- especially old ones- are so grounding, aren't they? I'm glad you have that safe space.
P.S. Have you ever published a fiction novel?
Thank you, Zophia! ❤️
I absolutely love old bookshops—they feel sacred and somewhat magical. So many stories and so much heart and soul in one place. I had a place like this when I lived in Denver. It was amazing.
So I have published a fiction book and that will remain secret because I wrote and published it when I was like 12 so it’s awful. lol
I think the attention from it also was hard for me—even though it was a minor self-published thing. But it was suddenly like everyone knew me and had an opinion about me. Then they read my book and it felt very exposing—like sharing a piece of my soul to everyone! At such a young age. Even a decade later, I had people Facebook messaging me and asking about a sequel.
I have since written three or four other books—secretly. Very few eyes seeing them.
However, last summer I wrote another and I’ve decided to be brave and have the goal of publishing it professionally. That’s the main reason I’m here. ❤️ I have some of it ready to publish in my Substack drafts :).
I do so love writing. It’s my safe place. ❤️
P.s. and totally random—we had chatted about our love of kdramas, yes? Have you watched Netflix’s new Kpop Demon Hunters movie?
Me too📚 They feel like such a safe place.
Wow, what an interesting trajectory! I can see how that could be overwhelming at that age. That's incredible that it got that response and must speak well to your writing!
I can definitely hear the "fiction writer" in you. I'll look forward to when you publish your next!
Haha, yes I do love kdramas and no, I haven't! Is it good? I'm watching "Our Unwritten Seoul"
Thank you, Zophia! I do so love writing fiction.
And YES—I’d say KPop Demon Hunters is my new favorite movie of all time. And that’s saying something! If you watch it, let me know what you think :). I need someone to nerd out about it 😂
I will look into that kdrama! I need a new one in my life right now. ❤️
Maybe we should all categorize our posts based on how calming or excitable they are so people know when to read them. Thanks.
Maybe, Bill—that’s an interesting thought. :) Thank you for the listen.
Some serious impeccable timing for this restive essay. Many thanks for the “hug”
Debbi, I’m so glad this essay gifted light and warmth. May those feelings of goodness, belonging and safety travel with you in so many beautiful moments today and beyond. ❤️
Thank you. A nervous system reset through a beautiful short story. Such an experience.
Barbara, it fills my soul with goodness and light to read your comment. I’m so glad my story brought that to you as well. May the beauty you experienced and all the goodness go with through the day today—in the small and big moments—and beyond. ❤️
Beautiful and refreshing! Just want I needed today, Thank you!
Kalina, I’m so glad sharing this story could be a place of rest for wonderful people like you. May the peace and light you experienced flow through your day and beyond. ❤️
My system feels so much lighter, calmer after experiencing this story. This was absolutely perfect and needed. Thank you for sharing this reset.
Oh Laci, I’m so glad and honored that my story could give you such a gift. I hope it goes with you with so much love and light today and onward. ❤️