Well, I’ve pulled myself out from the mire that I’ve been in lately and I’m feeling up to a challenge … nothing major yet but it’s a start (from little acorns mighty oaks do grow) so there’s hope for me yet.
I love writing, especially my blog, all be it a bit sporadic sometimes but reading, I struggle with. It’s not the spelling and grammar side of it as I’d say I’m fair-to-middling compared to most bloggers. In fact, I quite enjoy a tête-à-tête with a bit of vocabulary and an occasional close encounter with the English language.
I’ve borrowed a book from a colleague at university and I’ve got to hand it back within one week. So, in my spare time, which doesn’t amount to much these days, I’ve set myself the challenge of reading and digesting it in this time. No problem … except I have the attention span of a weary ant.
The book in question is a relatively new one called, ‘A Sane New World‘ by Ruby Wax. It’s a brilliant, clever, witty and informative book about her own journey through depression and mental health issues and how she went about improving her situation. Mental health affects 1 in 4 adults, including myself, but this book is written for everyone as anyone of us could become that 1 in 4 ‘mentally unravelled‘, (in Ruby’s words), at any time.
I know most people could knock this out in a couple of days as it consists of a mere 260 pages which I know is nothing compared to Homer’s Iliad or War and Peace but for me, it’s quite a challenge as my concentration when it comes to reading novels leaves an awful lot to be desired. I am determined to fulfil this challenge mainly because I’m interested in finding alternate routes to overcoming mental illness. I’ve made a start have already encountered a good dose of humour and many poignant observances. Hopefully, by the time I’ve got to the end, I will have gained a bit more sanity.
I came across this idea for my second challenge from a local Facebook page. It’s a page for those of us who find life a struggle sometimes, (so, that’s all hands up, is it?). We set ourselves small (or large if we are feeling brave) targets to achieve, to help overcome some of the situations that we find difficult for whatever reason.
My difficult situation? Well, I’m fine going out with Charlie, my wheelchair who some of you might have already met. I can go almost anywhere depending on whether the battery and motor are up to scratch that day but I’m really not good at stopping somewhere to grab a coffee and cake and then sitting with it in a café or coffee shop on my own. I’m great if I’ve got company but sitting alone, I feel a bit of a prune!
So, this challenge is to take my book to a café every day this week; order a coffee and something nice from the menu; sit by myself and then to read as many pages as I can in 30 minutes (just long enough for me to get out of the shop before the usually occurring uncomfortable squirming and panic kicks in).
Today, I had every good intention and headed straight for the coffee shop just after lunch, got to the counter and was just about to order a coffee and pastry when panic suddenly set in and I bolted out of there. I was really cross with myself but I’m going to have another go tomorrow. In the meantime, by way of compensation for my atrocious disappointment, I stopped off at Tesco and bought myself a large jam doughnut, took it home and indulged guiltily. However, I’m determined to repeat the jam doughnut affair tomorrow, only in a coffee shop while reading my book and thereby, at the end of this week, I will have completed both challenges (and probably gained half a stone in weight to boot which I could well do without). Next challenge: to lose that half a stone I’m going to put on this week!
Essentially Ellie 
That sounds like the sort of challenge that I would relish. If I have a chance, I love to go to Starbucks, buy a latte and a doughnut and write posts/read a book. I’m afraid I have to take earplugs with me, though, which I disguise by putting headphones over my ears. The background music can get a bit loud at times. I don’t go all that often because it can be a bit on the expensive side, but I always enjoy it when I do. Good luck!
I like Starbuck’s coffee too although as you say, they can be expensive but nice as a treat once in a while. In my case, I am lucky enough to have a big Co-Op store near me which has lovely coffee and lovely cake at half the price (and just as good quality). They do a mean Sunday lunch on a budget too, there!
I know what you mean about background music being loud sometimes (I think it’s an ‘age’ thing, Bun) 😉 .How on the earth do you get a pair of headphones on over your paper bag? x
Well, I can’t actually use headphones with the paper bag, so I just draw them on the side. I wonder if this may have some impact on their effectiveness.
I think it just might 🙂
I’m with Bun, here. My sort of challenge, too. Perhaps we could all open an office in one…
Now, that’s a good idea, Mick 🙂
I wish you good luck with the challenges I know you can do anything you set your mind to! Yum about the doughnut I love them. XX
Thanks for your faith in me, Carol anne although today, I only managed the coffee and cake at the Co-Op but didn’t manage to read my book so must try to catch up with myself tomorrow and over the weekend. It was carrot cake today, with buttercream icing on it … very yum indeed xxx 🙂