Mirror Mirror is the monthly feature that combines Stacking the Shelves with goings on in my life.
What I’ve Been Up To
I haven’t done one of these in a few months. No reason other than pure forgetfulness on my part. But what a month March has been, right? At the beginning of the month, I visited my favorite botanical garden to check out their tulips. It was beautiful. Here are a couple of photos.
I was concerned about the COVID-10 virus before–I’m a frequent hand washer and upped my hand washing. I was not prepared for the shutdown of businesses, schools, many places of worship, and the advice of officials to not gather in groups. The shelter-at-home order was put into place in California last week.
I’m an anxious person. My anxiety spiked to astronomical levels. I’m worried about everything and everyone. Being imprisoned by your thoughts right now is not great.
While I can’t fully get rid of my concerns, I can focus on doing what has to be done to make sure this virus doesn’t spread. I’m working from home. I go for quick walks around my neighborhood. I’ve been helping my family clean the house. I’ve been doing morning breathing exercises. I’ve been kicking around ideas for stories that center around pandemics, which is bizarrely cathartic. Mostly, I’ve been making a list of things I want to do when it’s safe to do them again: travel, hug my loved ones, go for a run.
Wherever you are, I hope you’re okay and that you’re making a list, too.
What I Read
I’ve been competing in monthly reading challenges via Facebook and it’s really boosted my books read per month. It’s been interesting as a mood reader, that’s for sure. 🙂 I’ve been trying to find books to match the prompts, but sometimes, you just gotta read what you want to read. I went through a bit of a bump due to my anxiety but I found my passion for reading again.
Yes, I FINALLY read a Sarah J. Maas book! But The Kingdom of Back was my favorite book of the month, with Undercover Bromance my runner up.
How was your March? How are you doing?
I’m glad you’re keeping yourself safe. Kingdom of Back was such a sweet book, and I liked Pumpkinheads too.
Thanks, Brooke. I’m glad you’re keeping you and yours safe as well.