Sunday News #38
Feeling
I’ve been feeling blah this week. I haven’t felt well physically or mentally. I definitely haven’t felt like blogging or reading. Corey thinks the trauma I’m working through in my PTSD therapy is not only taking its toll on my mental health, but my physical health as well. It has been proven that our bodies often react physically to extreme stress and mine is acting in kind. I’ve been experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, lack of appetite, cravings for sugar and carbs, dizziness, extreme fatigue, a facial rash, headaches, sore throat, sinus congestion, and body aches. It sounds like I have a cold, the flu, COVID, or something else, but I don’t. The symptoms come and go.
Blogging
Even though I didn’t feel like blogging much this week, I did still post a few things. This week on the blog:
I’m sorry I haven’t responded to the comments on my posts yet. And, I’m even more sorry I haven’t commented on very many blogs this week. I probably won’t try to catch up on every post I missed as that would take days, but I am planning on spending some time today responding to the comments on my blog and commenting on other Sunday Posts. Thank you, all, for continuing to comment on my blog even though I’ve been absent.
Reading
I finished listening to the HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS audiobook. I loved every minute of it. It really helped this week when I was feeling distraught mentally and physically.
I haven’t read or even tried to read anything else. I really do hope I’ll feel like reading something this week. I may put WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING down, even though I’m enjoying the story. Maybe, I’ll keep reading one chapter a day and then turn my focus on something more light-hearted like LOVE ON THE BRAIN by Ali Hazelwood.
I learned in DBT that life is full of dialectics, or two opposing truths. In this case, the two opposing truths are: 1) I don’t agree with JKR’s stance regarding trans people, and 2) I still love Harry Potter.
Listening
Since I haven’t been in the mood to read this week, I watched a few movies. I’m embarrassed about sharing this, especially since I grew up in a very sexually conservative religion and watching movies with nudity or that center around sex is frowned upon. If my family or some of my IRL friends read this, they’d probably be very disappointed in or shocked at my choices.
I’m also embarrassed because of the negativity associated with the Fifty Shades franchise because of its connection with and misrepresentation of BDSM. (At least that’s what I’ve read.) Still, I watched the trilogy this week because I was curious. I’m a huge fan of the Twilight Saga and I wanted to see what EL James took from Stephenie Meyer’s series to get FIFTY SHADES OF GREY. I don’t feel the need to read the books, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the movies.
The only reason I’m sharing this is one of the songs from the second movie, FIFTY SHADES DARKER, really captured my attention. It’s a cover of “The Scientist,” which is one of my favorite songs. I like Coldplay’s version better, but I really enjoyed this rendition too. This version is sung by Corinne Bailey Rae.
Watching
As I already said, I watched the Fifty Shades trilogy. I thought Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson were very believable in their roles. I also thought they had great chemistry. And, as I said above, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the stories.
I also broke down and watched the movie adaptation of WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING. I was going to wait until I finished reading the book, but I decided to watch the movie to help motivate me. I really enjoyed the movie and I’m more excited to read the book now if I can just get over this mental slump I’m in.
Loving
Even though I missed participating in the community this week, I loved taking a bit of a break. It was very restorative and I hope it has renewed my interest in reading, blogging, and commenting.
Wanting Wishing
I wish I could go back to being oblivious in regards to my religion. I was happy in my ignorance. Now that I’ve opened my eyes, I feel constant shame and guilt for turning my back on how I grew up and what I used to believe. I’m trying to find a middle ground. It has been really difficult, though, because everything seems so black and white in religion.
Needing
I need to quit putting so much pressure on myself. I’m good the way I am. It’s okay if I’m in the middle of a faith crisis. It’s okay if I do things my friends and family wouldn’t do. It’s okay to become someone different than I expected. It’s okay not to have all the answers. I still have worth.
How was your week? Anything exciting happen?
When I started really working on things with my therapist it definitely had a physical effect, so I imagine if you’re really getting into your trauma then it could absolutely affect your body as well! I hope you feel better soon! And I’m with you on that HP footnote, I feel the exact same way! I hope you have a good start to the week 🙂
Juli @ A Universe in Words
Thanks, Juli! 😀 I really appreciate your well wishes and I’m glad to know there are others who still love Harry Potter.
Music that I like and a good romantic comedy, something light and funny, always put me in a good mood. Have a better week ahead!
I also love rom-coms. They’re so fun to watch. I love the banter. They usually can put me in a good mood too. 😀
It’s always nice to take a little break from things from time to time.
I hope the blahs go away for you soon.
Alicia
Thanks, Alicia! 😀 I appreciate that a lot!
Well I read the FSOG trilogy back in the days and I loved it soooo 😉
That’s fantastic! I think I would’ve be so embarrassed if it weren’t for my upbringing. I’m learning to be okay with choices even if the people around me don’t agree. 😀
I think we all go through life cycles – energy to pursue interests or not, wanting to spend time with friends or not, etc. It’s normal and healthy to listen to your body and heart. Hopefully you’ll find your mojo again and have the energy/interest to read and blog again. We’ll be here.
Hope you have a great week and find time to enjoy a good book.
Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
https://www.bookshelfjourneys.com/post/sunday-post-18
Thanks, Terrie! 😀 I really appreciate it.
I get a lot of those gastrointestinal symptoms when I’m anxious and stressed, so I’m not surprised you aren’t feeling too good. I hope things improve for you soon. I think we’ve all been there in being too overwhelmed with life to blog hop and comment, I’ll forgive you if you forgive me!
Be kind to yourself – you are an amazing person!
Thanks, Louise! 😀 I really appreciate it and I definitely forgive you if you can’t always comment. I know I need to do the same for myself. I think we’re always our own harshest critics.
Stress definitely takes a toll, noquestion. Plus life changes and all that. Sounds like you have a lot going on- go easy on yourself. I’m finding even the weather affects my mood. I’m eating unhealthy things because my body apparently is feeling like oh it’s fall stock up or something. 🙂
Religion is tough. I have faith but I’m constantly reading books that challenge this or that element of faith- like the tug of war between strict or literal interpretaions and more scholarly or contextual interpretations. It’s a balancing act. 🙂 I tell myself- like you said- I don’t have all the answers but I do have my faith, and the central part of it remains intact even if I’ll never know (at least i this life) whether such and such doctrine is this or that…
Thanks, Greg! 😀 I appreciate it. I think the weather definitely affects my mood and eating habits. I seem to crave more sweets this time of year because of all the holidays.
I said faith because of my particular religion. I do actually have faith, a lot of it. I still believe in God and I still believe in Christ and that through him I can be saved. I just have issues with the organization part of the religion I grew up in. I don’t think my religion is the one true religion anymore. I think there’s truth in all beliefs. I personally don’t think things are as black and white as many members of my church think they are. I don’t think I’ll go to Hell for watching R-rated movies or movies/tv shows containing nudity, voting in support of equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community, or for wearing clothes that don’t have sleeves or aren’t long enough to cover my kneecaps. I don’t think homosexuality is a sin. I think God wants us to love each other, even if it’s in a same-sex relationship. I don’t think sex is bad or that people should shy away from talking about it. (I was taught to believe all these things.) And, if I’m wrong, I think I can still be saved because of Christ.
Thanks for your words on religion, faith, and belief. 💜
I agree with you. I feel the same way about a lot of that. I’ve been really exploring a lot of this lately as well. My mom is very evangelical and growing up in the Midwest a lot of folks are. I sort of was too by default and while my faith is still there, I have begun questioning some of the ways evangelicals say they have the ANSWER and everyone else is… just wrong 🙂 And of course I don’t mean to generalize all evangelicals. Just my view. I’m pretty live and let live and don’t like how our country is becoming a huge culture war…
Yes! I also hate that the US is turning into a culture war. I hate that it’s so divided and that our democracy is on the brink of destruction because of the “we’re the only ones with the right answer” mentality.
I apologize if you do believe the opposite of what I just said. I’m good with people having different beliefs than my own. I was just trying to say all the things I no longer believe that I grew up believing. I hope that makes sense.
Oh I just read this after replying to the one above! No I think I agree with you haha! I struggle with some of the same things.
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who feels like this. I mean, I know I’m not. It’s just nice to be validated.
That’s great you posted a few times during the week even though you weren’t necessarily feeling up to it. When my best friend passed away in 2010 I saw a counselor a few times to work though how I was feeling. The biggest lesson I learned from my counselor was not to judge how I feel. I feel a certain way, whether it’s happy, sad, or whatever and it is simply that – how I feel. It’s so important to not place judgement on how I feel. I wouldn’t do that to others, so I shouldn’t do it to myself either. That one lesson has gotten me through the past 12 years. Try to go easy on yourself. Do what you can when you can. I enjoy hearing from you on my blog and I enjoy reading your posts, but if you need to take a break from any of that at anytime, it’s more than okay. 🙂
Thanks, Meezan! 😀 That’s very sound advice you learned from your therapist. It’s also something I learned in DBT and I’m still practicing it. Sometimes I do better with it than other times and that’s okay. 😀 I’m glad it has helped you for the past 12 years.
You are putting a lot of pressure on yourself; I hope you can come to some kind of acceptance with your religion and your personal relationship with it. I’m glad you’re taking the time to enjoy books and films that make you feel calmer or happier. I hope you feel better mentally and physically! And for crying out loud, don’t pressure yourself to comment on our comments or on all our posts. Much too stressful! xoxo
Thanks, Margaret! 😀 I always appreciate your perspective and words of wisdom. I have decided not to go back and comment on all the posts for everyone that I missed. I’m only going to comment on a few. (Well, I did comment on all yours, but that’s because I wanted to get caught up on what you’ve been up to last week.)
No shame in enjoying books and movies that don’t necessarily chime with what you believe or how you live… Few things are clear-cut or straightforward… Life is full of nuance and finding balance is definitely key. I wish you all the luck in the world in finding yours.
Thanks, Nicci! 😀 I really appreciate your thoughts. I’m trying not to feel shame for the evolution of my beliefs and for disappointing those around me.
I’m sorry you’re feeling out of sorts and hope you feel more like yourself soon. Be kind to yourself. I enjoyed the reading Grey years ago but I haven’t seen the movies yet.
Thanks, Jodie! 😀 I know I shouldn’t feel embarrassed about FSoG. I’m really trying not to. I think it’s just my upbringing. I’m glad you enjoyed the books.
Sorry to hear last week was so tough – both mentally and physically. I hope this week is better and has you feeling more like yourself.
Thanks, Tanya! 😀 I really appreciate it!
I hope you feel better soon! I haven’t read any of the Harry Potter books or watched any of the movies. Hope you have a great week!
Thanks, Jamie! 😀 If you enjoy fantasy as your blog name implies, I highly recommend Harry Potter. It’s such a fun story.
Bless you. I hope you start to feel better soon.
Religion is a tough one. I believe in God, but don’t go to Church.
I will be honest and say that I enjoyed The Fifty Shades books. I liked the storyline. The sex stuff was a bit much so I would never watch the films. When I read a book I find it hard to picture what goes on and in this case I would rather it remain that way!
I hope you have a better week this week.
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
Thanks, Emily! 😀 I totally understand what you’re saying about not wanting to see what’s written. I also don’t picture what I read very well. I love movies because they help bring things to life. The sex was excessive in the movies as well. That part was okay, but I enjoyed the actual story of love, change, and redemption.
Sorry to hear you had a tough week – hope this one is already better! And it’s definitely ok to take a break from blogging and commenting sometimes, take all the time you need! I also watched the Crawdads movie last week and really enjoyed it. I still need to finish watching the 50 shades movies, I only watched the first one.
Thanks, Lindsey! 😀 The Crawdads movie is so good. I’m excited to read the book at some point. I think I just need to be in the mood for it. I’m much more amenable to movies than I am to books, lol. If you do watch the other two movies in FSoG, I hope you like them.