Fall seems to always be a time for big feelings. The change in the weather can make folks feel a little down or sad. Fall is also the start of the school year, which can be stressful, challenging, and exciting. We are leading up to some holidays, which can add stress, sadness, or discomfort. And this year, we also had an election – which will always cause feelings.
Fall can feel overwhelming, to say the least.
But the library can help. We have a lot to offer you in terms of connection and activities, but I wanted to go back to the roots of what a library is for many people: Books.
Reading can be a great escape in these tougher seasons. Here’s how:
- Distraction: Reading can help you take your mind off what is going on around you and connect with the characters in the book.
- Empathy: Reading stories can help you better understand how others think and feel. In turn, this can expand your understanding of your own feelings and thoughts.
- Insight: If you’re not using reading to escape, you can also use reading to confront your problems. Reading can provide new insights or information.
- Sense of Connection: Talking about the book you’re currently reading is a great way to connect with people, even briefly. You probably know that the library is a great place to talk to people about books. You can talk to library staff about the books you’re checking out or ask a librarian for a recommendation. You can also join a book discussion group to talk about books with other people.
- Coping Skills: Like insight, reading can help you develop coping skills for difficult times.
Some of you are thinking, “But I just don’t have the energy to read right now – my head is too full of all of those feelings you mentioned earlier!”
I know. I feel it, too. Here are some things that have helped me:
- Choose a book that interests you: this one seems obvious. But truly – don’t think about what is on the Best Seller Lists; don’t think about what “other people are reading” or even what you think you “should be reading” right now. If you want to read a cozy mystery or a romantic comedy – go for it. If you want to read a bloody slasher – get that anger out in a healthy way, I say. If you want to flip through a nonfiction book just to look at the cool pictures – I applaud you. If you want to re-read a favorite book that you’ve already read 10 times – make it 11.
- Start with a few pages at a time: You don’t have to read 100 pages or even an entire chapter every day. Just read a few pages. You can build on the habit if you want.
- Listen to an audiobook: If you’re like me and you have trouble sitting down to read because you think you should be doing something “productive” – audiobooks are a great choice. You can read while doing the dishes, folding your laundry, or driving to work. And yes, listening to an audiobook is still reading. I’m a librarian, so you can trust me.
- Try a picture book: We’ve talked a little about how picture books are good for all ages and how they can help with negative self-talk. But since November is National Picture Book Month, I wanted to emphasize this point again. While often written for children, picture books are not always “childish.” They can be a great tool for giving you (or the kids in your life) the language to process these complex feelings and support social-emotional learning and emotional regulation – something that, even as an adult, I am always working on and invite others to keep working on, too. Picture books are natural mood lifters – even if you aren’t reading ones specifically about feelings – just finding one with the type of art that you find appealing can make reading a pleasant experience. There are also some GREAT picture book biographies – for when you want to read about someone you find interesting but don’t have the energy to dive into a several hundred-page book (that probably doesn’t even have any pictures).
Ultimately, the goal is to not add to the stress and overwhelm that can come during this time of year. Maybe your head is too full to read right now. That’s okay. But the library is still here for you. Remember: you don’t have to come to the library to read, or attend a program, or use the computer (although you can absolutely do all of those things). The library is also here for you to just be. If you need some time out of the house, away from work, or from whatever it is that is distracting you, you can come here. You can sit in a comfy chair, take some deep breaths, and just watch the leaves and the rain from a window.
Because even if Fall is full of feelings – it’s also kind of pretty to look at too.