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Wellness Thru Reading
Greetings and salutations book lovers. Welcome to Wellness Thru Reading. A podcast dedicated to keeping reading a daily habit as a form of self care.
Wellness Thru Reading
Finding Calm in the Dark: Books as Companions During Blackouts
When the lights flicker out and the world falls silent, how do you find solace? Join me, Tanisha, as I share a personal story of navigating a power outage with nothing but the glow of a flashlight and the pages of "Divine Rivals" by Rebecca Ross. The tranquility of reading in the dark can transform anxiety into calm, offering an escape where electricity cannot reach. Discover how books can be your steadfast companions during blackouts, engaging your imagination and keeping stress at bay. I'll also equip you with practical tips to stay prepared, ensuring your devices are charged and your books are within arm's reach when the next outage strikes.
Looking ahead, prepare for an exciting journey through upcoming episodes packed with intriguing book reviews. Mark your calendars for a full exploration of "Divine Rivals" next Wednesday, where the story of Iris Winnow, a reporter in a divine conflict, will unfold in all its mythical and complex glory. Following that, we'll continue the saga with "Ruthless Vows," diving deeper into this captivating narrative. This is not just about books; it’s about building a literary community where stories offer both adventure and solace. Share your current reads in the comments, as your recommendations might just be the next adventure we embark on together. Subscribe now and let’s journey into the pages together, even when the world outside is cloaked in darkness.
all right. So I thank you for your patience and thank you once again to all of my returning members. I say welcome back to my new people. Hello and greetings and salutations. My name is tanisha.
Speaker 1:This is wellness through reading. So let me explain myself. I had episode rates upload. I was working on it last night and then my power went out, so I'm having to redo this again. My power went out I think it was what was it 10 o'clock last night and it literally just came back on, and so now I mean, I waited for a couple hours to just make sure it stayed on, and so now I'm recording this episode. So couple hours to just make sure it stayed on, and so now I'm recording this episode.
Speaker 1:So I'm sorry this got out to a little bit late, but yes, so guess what I was doing during that whole blackout? I mean reading, of course. I mean reading is the best way to pass the time during a power outage. Reading definitely is a great way to pass the time because it doesn't require any electricity, go figure unless of course're using a candle or something or listening to an audiobook, and it can be an immersive escape, whether you're diving into a novel, catching up on a magazine or just enjoying a collection of short stories, poems, etc. Reading can make time fly by. So if you have candles or a flashlight, it goes away to spend the hours, or a flashlight, it goes away to spend the hours. So what I was reading during the blackout was divine rivals by Rebecca Ross, and I was gonna I'm just gonna hop on here real quick and just say it was. I finished all of it in literally Wednesday. I was halfway through and I finished the whole thing. I was listening to the audiobook while I was reading through it. It is an amazing read.
Speaker 1:I talked about this on my tiktok. You know literary love. I had literary love. Go follow me on there as well too.
Speaker 1:And you know I got a mixed response. Some people said they absolutely loved it, some people said they absolutely hated it and, honestly though, I understand the hate side of it, because if you're not a mythology fan, it some of the concepts might go over your head a little bit. There really isn't a linear time limit, because you're talking about mythology in a World War II type setting, but the date is like in 1800. So there's a lot of things going on. There's a lot of classism, a lot of sexism as well too. I definitely feel like a central theme of Divine Rivals is the difference um the divine feminine and the toxic masculine, and I promise I will do a full book review on part one divine rivals next week. I'm currently working on the sequel, which is ruthless vows is a sequel. The series of letters of enlightenment I'm a champion, I'm a champion, america boss. So more on that in the coming weeks.
Speaker 1:So if you haven't already hit that subscribe button, that way you stay updated when those episodes come up to date. But today's episode, I really want to talk about all the benefits of reading during the blackout, and obviously I already went over one, which is um pass the time. But reading is an excellent way to pass the time during a blackout for several reasons. Number one no electricity needed. Unlike tv, playing a video game, reading doesn't require power, making a reliable option when the highlights go out. And number two, it engages your imagination. A good book can transport you to another world, allowing you to escape the reality of the blackout and immerse yourself in a story or new ideas not gonna lie. At towards the end of the blackout I was starting to lose a little hope because it's going to get dark again, and when there's no power hour it's dark, dark Like. It's kind of scary. So it was nice to have as a story to kind of lose myself into and just take myself out of my current situation. And which leads me to number three is soothing and calming. Power hours can be very unsettling and scary, especially if they last for a very long time. Reading can provide a sense of calm, helping to reduce anxiety or boredom Especially the anxiety part as well too. There was a huge winter storm that happened and literally half a million people in my area lost power, and it was a huge storm, scary for a while there. Oh, also, for those of you who are listening, if you hear dogs barking in the background, please forgive me, those are my neighbors dogs. Those are not mine, but yeah, so definitely brought me a little bit of a relief. And number four it kept me productive instead of feeling unproductive during a blackout.
Speaker 1:Reading keeps your mind active and engaged. It is an easy way to keep learning and enjoying your hobby. It gives you something to do. You know what I mean. It was just nice. It was, as I said, I was recently listening to the audiobook as well too, following along with my book that I was reading, and it was just a good way to just kind of just stop thinking about what I was going through and just fully immerse myself into this incredible read. Also, no need for screens. Well, if you have a physical book that's not on your screen, but if you're using your kindle, then obviously you're using a screen.
Speaker 1:Blackouts can leave people feeling disconnected due to a lack of digital devices. Reading a physical book offers a break from screen time and lets you focus on something more analog. Well, also, I was listening to it on my um tablet, which was my kindle, where I put my kindle app on, and also listening to it via audiobook. This is why I always have at least one audiobook and one like kindle book downloaded onto my tablet, in the case of like a power outage as well, too. So at least I have something to read. And also I have books everywhere in my house, so always something to read. And also this is why I always say always keep your devices plugged in. This is a little thing have flashlights, have water, have, you know, batteries. Also get a power bank those little things you can get on Amazon. That really helped keep my cell phone charged as well too. So in case you ever, in case of a blackout, and also for reading grade for ages, whether you're reading with children, love to yourself. So the educational reading is a versatile option for any age group.
Speaker 1:And then number seven it is portable and flexible. Books don't need to be plugged in so you can read it anywhere, by a candlelight or a cozy corner, even outdoors, if the weather and the safety is permitted. Or a cozy corner, even outdoors, if the weather and the safety permits it. Oh goodness, that dog, that dog, that dog. Forgive me if you hear it, it is a loud little mutt, but we're going to put it on the board. Okay, so books are portable and flexible. Books don't need to be plugged in so you can read them anywhere. Number eight improves focus and attention with fewer distractions. Books are portable and flexible. Books don't need to be plugged in so you can read them anywhere. Number eight improves focus and attention with fewer distractions notifications on or background noises like a dog barking. Reading can improve your concentration and deepen your focus.
Speaker 1:It was kind of nice not going to lie Every now and then. It's nice to just turn off all your devices, all your TVs, and just read. I mean mean, it got kind of cold in here, not gonna lie, but it was just nice just had that time to just dedicate myself to a book, and also, it just makes the time go by faster. I will say I looked up I didn't even realize it was three o'clock already. I was like, oh and when my power went out two o'clock last night, so obviously slept. They woke up this morning, got breakfast read from nine o'clock to three. Sure story. When you're engrossed in a good book, the hours just tend to fly by. You pass more quickly, making the blackout feel less prolonged. So, honestly, though, what was crazy is that I literally finished the book about enchantment, about the gods and goddesses, about this whole world, and then boom, it's like the gods knew what I needed. Okay, so let's plug on. Now she's ready.
Speaker 1:And also just number 10, the 10th reason why reading during a blackout is so good. It's a breakthrough technology. A power outage offers a chance to disconnect from the digital world. Reading can improve a healthy alternative to constant barges of emails, texts and social media. So in a blackout, reading isn't just an activity. It can be an enriching, enjoyable way to make the best out of an awkward and uncomfortable and scary situation. So this week's episode is not going to be that long, because this next week next two weeks actually is going to be even longer. I promise I'll make a longer one, but I just wanted to get this out to you just to give you tips and tricks in case you're going through it or just in case something like this comes up, because blackout just do happen. So just stay prepared, not only in terms of our reading, but also make sure you have your batteries, everything, everything, flashlights, make sure all that system is up to date and ready to go, just in case you just never know.
Speaker 1:So, going forward with the podcast, so next week uh, here in the united states we are celebrating thanksgiving, so there will be a podcast episode on next wednesday, the 27th. That episode I will be doing a full book review on the book Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross, and then the week after that I'll do the sequel, which is the Ruthless Vows. So I'm telling you it is a good one, this book. I'm just going to give you a little brief excerpt. It's basically about a young woman by the name of iris winnow. She's a reporter.
Speaker 1:I'm reporting about this war that's been going on waging on between these two gods that um have been going to war with each other for different reasons, and you do get to see both sides of it, you start to realize that these gods are not to be trusted. Most gods in mythology they are not to be trusted. They always have ulterior motives and all that fun jazz. So, like I said it's, there's so many layers to it that you really I need a full episode to just break that down. So I'm gonna do that next week and also any other books that you guys like to read or currently read right now. Comment below what books you're reading and you know I might mention your note, comment your comments in the next episode and then I might actually do a book review on it. So we will see.
