Ezgi’s Reviews > Every Day I Read: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books > Status Update

If we can understan life,we're freeing ourselves from obssessing over what we lack. Instead of focusing on the glamorous lifestyles of others and feeling as though we're never enough, we learn to realise what we truly want.

We see what others choose to show us. We see the curls in the hair, but not the tangles in their hearts. I'm in pain, but others are hurting too. I pretend to be fine; others are also hiding their pain. That's how we fall for illusion that others aren't suffering as much as we are. We only see our own pain; we magnify our own sense of injustice.

I told myself that at least over the holidays, I should let go of everything. It's time to put aside our daily worries and to-do list, and simply rest. And I want to do just that- to let my body and mind have its deserved break.

These days, I want to slow down, to stop rushing here and there, to stop cluttering my ming, and to stop trying so hard all the time. And if I make plans, I make sure it's something I truly like. And that is to laze in bed and read.

Unless I'm on a holiday, I stay in my room almost all the time, reading or writing. Every day, I wake up thinking: What should I write today? On days when I barely produce anything I go to bed feeling depressed and guilty. If I don't make work for myself, there's nothing to do, but even when I'm working, I'm not earning consistently every month. Despite that, I'm happier with my life now. Because it's what I wanted.

Instead of moving on to the next book immediately, spend some time thinking about what you liked about it; maybe there are connections with other books waiting to be discovered. If you enjoy a particular author's ideas and thoughts, go and find out if there are authors whom they admire.

...reading is about understanding the world and ourselves, not finishing as many books as possible. We aren't reading to become faster, but to feel and understand more. Unless you read for work, there's no reason to rush.