The past few months have been—how do I put this?—far from restful. Trauma from losing a loved one, an intense workload, and a nagging illness have all combined to force me to do something I’m not that good at: Rest.
So I’ve had to learn this art of resting. And part of that has been to find a place where I can really retreat–without a lot of fuss.
It’s easy to say, but how easy is it to do? For me, and maybe for you too, not that simple. When illness brought me down the past few weeks, I finally had to figure it out. So I put our puppy in daycare and retreated—to a spare room in our house. It’s true. One evening, my husband came home from work to find me reading on the bed of our small upstairs guest room.
Maybe it’s the novelty of the room or the rule that I won’t allow myself to work in there or the fact that it’s the only clean room in the house (lol), but as I recover, I still find myself being drawn into that space a little bit each day.
Yesterday, for example, I read the pages of a friend’s book in there—The Traveling Prayer Shawl by Jennifer Lynn Cary. Jenny actually made a shawl for me (see pic below). And today I will take my Bible and read it in the old rocking chair that once held my babies and me. (Yes, I’d stashed it in there long ago and forgotten all about it …)
We live along the California coast where the fog has been ultra-thick outside, bringing with it a mid-summer chill. Soon, when all that gray lifts, I’ll start purposefully taking books with me to the park or nearby beach, not just to read, but to rest while I’m doing so.
Even as life returns to normal, and I start writing my beloved beach reads again—a story is percolating in my head even now—I want to keep on cultivating the art of rest that has been a balm to my soul.
How about you? Where do you retreat to read? If you haven’t found a special spot, are you inspired to look for one?
JULIE CAROBINI writes inspirational beach romances. She is the author of two dozen novels known for spirited heroines, charming heroes, quirky friends, and the secrets they keep. Her bestselling titles include Walking on Sea Glass, Runaway Tide, Beach Sunrise, Reunion in Saltwater Beach, and more. She has won awards from The National League of American Pen Women and ACFW, and her books have received bestseller status many times. Julie is Mom to three young adults and lives on the California coast with her husband, Dan, and their rescue pup, Dancer. Grab a free eBook here: www.juliecarobini.com/free-book
I tend to retreat into myself when I read. My comfy couch helps.
Jomo: (Nzomo) noun
Joy Of Missing Out: feeling content with staying in and disconnecting as a form of self-care
Sounds like the right word for what you have described.
I have a lazy boy, gifted me for my 70th birthday., where I go to for downtime (and any other time)
Hope you’re feeling better soon!!
I have a reading “corner” in my great room. A comfy recliner, a side table with a lamp, a coaster for my coffee or iced drink and a stack of books containing my Bible and at least 4 – 5 books that are next to be read!
welcome today. I am sorry to hear about your trials. God is with you, keep Him close. When our kiddos were young, I would set them up with books and toys and through repetition, at that particular time, they knew to only bother me if it was super super important. I would go down the hall to the laundry room, with the door open so I could still hear them, and climb on top of the washer and do my bible study. When they took a nap, I took a nap. In the mid afternoon, we would all sit on the couch and I would read to them. As they got into school full time, I had my times for reading my Bible in the front room on the floor with our dog right next to me. When they got home, it was change out of school clothes, have a snack and then homework. then they could play outside or inside. Usually in the winter months they chose to take this time to read on their beds. Now, they are gone onto their own lives and I have a chair that rocks/rotates, that I put in the family room, that my husband got me, I can look outside and read my Bible in the mornings and read something else during lunch.
Hi Lori! I chuckled at your statement about when the kiddos were young – super, super important. During the summer, when my boys were young I had a reading day. Their breakfast cereal was on the kitchen table, lunch in the refrigerator. DO not DISTURB mommy unless you are bleeding or dead. For my birthday when my son gives me an Amazon gift card, so I can have books to read – he tells his children about OMA’s reading day. Enjoy your summer.
Hi Julie! This reader reads when ever she can, where ever she is. Depending on the season or / and time of day the location may vary. Most of the time, I prefer reading on my bed, so I can rest my back and stretch out my legs. My sanctuary. Since I primarily read eBooks, it is sometimes too difficult to read outside. With cooler weather, in the morning I enjoy reading on the back deck and in the late afternoon I read on the front patio. Stay cool and enjoy the rest of the summer. Best wishes.
I love to read sitting in my rocker! However, I’ll read just about anywhere!
I love the reading day idea:)
When I was a teenager I got into the habit of going to the cemetery about a block from our house to read. Other than the fact that it is very beautiful with oodles of shade trees to sit & lean against I suppose it was because of it being so quiet. When our son was young I asked my husband for Saturday mornings to myself. As long as he knew where I was and I had a phone so he could call me he agreed to it. I used to go to the local park and find the most out of the way place to sit & read. Now that my house is almost always quiet (my son is 20 & is generally in his room) & I don’t get around well I just sit in the living room to read. I still prefer being outside but that just isn’t possible now so a quiet place works. I need to let the descriptions of the author allow me to envision sitting in the book’s surroundings & be taken away…
I love that, Mary <3
Oh my goodness, Jeannette — I’ve never heard that and now I’m going to make it my own. Lol That’s great.
You’re way ahead of me, Laurie, and I’m inspired!
So smart, Lori. I’m cracking up about the Bible study on top of your washer :-)
Renate, Having a sanctuary is important, I think. Somewhere where you can just let go and “retreat.” I love how you move around to find yours.
Something soothing about the rocker, isn’t there?
Deb, I love how you knew you needed the respite and found a way to work it out regularly. I’m learning so much from others on this thread!
Me too :-)
Hi, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that you are feeling better . I love to read right before I go to bed, but not in bed, I like to read in our living room on our comfortable couch. If I read during the day if it is nice outside I read on our patio swing while listening to birds chirping and singing . If it is hot outside I will read in our living room on the couch. Have a great day.
I read in my bed and on my comfy bean bag chair and sometimes outside if it’s not too hot.I have my kindle Paperwhite and a few books on my night stand my room is like a library I have to many books this spring I got rid of 53 books at a garage sale when I’m done with a book I give them to my aunt or donate them
Thank you, Alicia <3. I too like to read before bed, but often fall asleep … so maybe I should try the couch first :-)
That’s nice that you give away books to others, Kendra. And I read on a paper white too!
I can read anywhere, but I have two favorite spots this summer- outside in the backyard, or on the newly redone front porch with our puppy. Both quiet (sometimes) and restful!
read anywhere
I read at the kitchen table. I also take a book with me when we do errands as well as doctor’s appointments. Thank you so much for sharing. I hope you get to feeling better soon. God bless you.
I love the idea of reading on the front porch, Becky. Though I know how busy puppies can be … ;-)
Thank you, Debra. I’m definitely on the mend!
Hope the healing progresses smoothly and qickly. There is most definitely an art to resting and I love the sound of your guest room and Oma’s day. I used to live reading in the lical park under the massive old trees, lying on the bench in the shade. Housebound now, in winter it’s curled up in bed to keep warm and summer, well I’m still working on that. Take care.
Thank you, Dianne. Oh those trees sound perfect. I took the picture of trees that appear in the title image. I love to sit under them too and watch those leaves rustle! I hope you find the perfect place to retreat this summer :-)
Hi Julie, I’m sorry for your loss. I lost my own father 16 years ago this month, and still miss him dearly. My parents instilled a love of reading in us, and read to us nightly at bedtime, which we also did with our boys growing up. My favorite place to go growing up was the big library, or the local book mobile when it came to town. Nothing better than a stack of fresh books! God has gifted me with a love for reading and spelling, and I’m now using that gift to tutor students with learning disabilities in those areas. Blessings to you and your readers today!
Thank you for your kind words, Linda. Your reminisces of growing up reminded me that I, too, spent a ton of time in our small town library. The building was old and beautiful, with lots of cool interior pillars to lean my back against while reading. Funny how I’d forgotten about that until now!
Hope you are feeling better & wonderful memories keep your loved one forever present in your heart. Around 2010, I heard about your books when your CPA brother-in-law came to Florida & we worked together. A really good guy! You were kind to inscribe the books I ordered, read & put on a shelf. This summer my 16 year old granddaughter shared a book she was reading and said her summer plan was to read more. She inspired me to think of you and your books, which I really enjoyed. I ordered all the books I missed over the years, then read the original ones again to follow the series. I will pass them on to her. It is wonderful to read the spiritual enhancements in your books in a world that is so messed up in 2022! I read in a recliner that swivels from the TV view to a view of Florida’s nature … so peaceful and only interrupted by movements of a bird or butterfly that catch my eye and give me moments to reflect on the beauty & all God’s Glory.