WolfDreamer Reads Harder, Breathes Harder, and Journals More

[WolfDreamer]

Good day fellow Rebels.

 

Last challenge, I made some observations about goals that were lacking, and I selected three: reading, breathing (specifically Wim Hof Method breathing) and journaling. The other goals have essentially become daily habits now because they have been part of my routine for quite some time. So if you have been following me for a while, assume that the rest of my usual daily habits and routines that have been mentioned in the past are now expected.

 

And so I begin:

 

 

Goal 1: Read Harder and More Often -- I love to read. I love books. I have all the traits of a bibliophile. However, I'm not very disciplined, and I struggle to focus and pay attention when I read. I know this is normal and nothing to be ashamed of, but it still bothers me. I'm also a very picky reader, like... picky to a fault. Yes, some of it is because I have standards, and because I value my time, so I struggle to read something that just... isn't very good. But, if I'm honest, much of this pickiness has led me to make unfair assumptions about various genres, authors, and forms of writing. So, I have decided to take on the BookRiot Read Harder Challenge, as well as to set an ambitious but doable reading goal of 50 books in 2021. I have a few strategies for helping meet this goal:

• read every day for at least 30 minutes
• put my phone on the charger on the other side of the room while reading
• select and read books from the Read Harder Challenge first
• audiobooks, children's books, and poetry collections totally count towards the 50 goal

 

 

Goal 2: Breathe Harder and More Mindfully -- I have practiced the WHM in the past, and many of the elements have stuck like glue, specifically the cold showers and cold exposure (going outside shirtless and shoeless in the cold, taking long hikes in the snow with no shirt, etc.), but the breathing (which, if I'm not mistaken Wim himself said is the most important part of the method) has just been a struggle to fit into my daily routine. It's not that I don't want to; in fact, I really enjoy it and feel great every time. It's almost like my brain says, "Dude... It's breathing. We do that al the time. Just skip it." And so, I end up skipping it. However, I noticed last challenge that I was filling that gap of time normally reserved for WHM breathing with mindless scrolling of Instagram or Facebook. So, for this challenge I will work to fit WHM breathing into my morning routine, just as I was before. Below are my strategies for meeting this goal:

• schedule a time for breathwork, after prayer/devotional time but before workout and cold shower: 0445 Mon-Fri, Sat/Sun time varies
• use the app and/or music or a guided audio or video to make the experience more interactive
• at least three rotations; time is not as important as impact, so be mindful of the impact of each inhale and exhale, as well as how your body feels during and after each rotation

 

 

Goal 3: Journal More -- In addition to loving to read, I also love to write (or at least I used to love it in that I used to write a lot because I wanted to, not because it was a requirement or a chore). I need to get back to that love, but in practical ways that don't make it feel like a task or just something else to check off on my daily to-do list. I used to keep a journal regularly, writing just a few paragraphs a day, recording my thoughts and my feelings and occasionally sharing favorite poems or song lyrics or lines from movies and TV shows. And sometimes I would draw (not very well, but it brought me joy). I need to get back to that less prescribed and more open journaling practice because if it feels to rigid or more like a "have to," I won't do it. Instead, it should be a "get to." I get to journal every day. So below are my strategies for meeting this goal:

• journal every morning before starting my day and at the end of the day: Mon-Fri right before leaving for work (0630) and before bed (2100); Sat/Sun times vary
• aesthetics matter; use a notebook that you want to write in and a utensil you want to write with in order to feel encouraged to do so
• make it brief but important and free flowing, not prescribed or stilted; just express yourself freely and openly without judgement
• keep it secret; keep it safe (you knew I wouldn't get out of this challenge without at least one LotR reference)

 

And there you have it. My goals for this challenge. Sorry it doesn't have any creative theming or anything, but I knew these areas needed to be refined and strengthened, so that was my main purpose.

 

And of course, you can expect plenty of nerdiness to arise in the form of cool gifs and memes and quotes.

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

No judgement for lack of creative theme. Your presence here is what really counts.

[WolfDreamer]

32 minutes ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

No judgement for lack of creative theme. Your presence here is what really counts.

 

Thanks Tank. I appreciate the encouragement.

[WolfDreamer]

I have created a list of the books I plan to read for the Read Harder Challenge. It's not a short list (24 books), but it will get me almost halfway through my goal of 50 for the year. And, as I said in the goal plan above, not all of them are long, challenging books. The real challenge is to read books that are out of my usual reading comfort zone. They don't have to be difficult books (although some of them are).

 

I am currently reading Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade. It was listed under the "Read a fat-positive romance" task and was recommended by a friend and on BookRiot. I'm enjoying it, even though romance is a genre waaaaaaaay out of my reading comfort zone. It's a satisfying blend of funny, charming, and "steamy." I sent a message to the author on Goodreads, and she actually replied. You can read both messages below:

Spoiler

My message:

 

I tweeted you, but I thought I would share this with you here, as well.

 

I almost never read romance novels. It's a flaw, I know, but I am unashamedly picky and selective about the books I read. However, a fellow nerdy friend recommended Spoiler Alert, and as part of the Read Harder Challenge I needed a fat-positive romance and saw that the book was recommended there, as well. So, I took that as a sign that I should get out of my comfort zone and read this book. And I feel I must be honest with you:

I really like it. I genuinely care about these characters, especially April. I want her to be happy and loved and respected because she deserves it. She is smart and kind and loving and has a self-confidence that isn't shallow because she knows she's all of those things and more. And I love that she challenges Marcus because she sees something deeper inside of him that he isn't showing on the surface. She very much reminds me of my wife in that regard.

Basically, I want to say thank you for writing such an enjoyable romance novel. You have now set the bar pretty high in my mind for romance novels. I haven't finished the book yet, but I am certain I will continue to enjoy it and may even begin to love it.

Keep it up. 🙂

 

Her reply:

 

Hi, Jason!

I'm so sorry I haven't responded to your tweet yet; I've been on a bit of a hiatus from social media, although I plan to be back soon.

I'm delighted that you've enjoyed what you've read of Spoiler Alert, and I hope I stick the landing for you. I also hope this is just the first of many romances you read and love, because it's a genre that truly contains multitudes, and there are so many amazing romance authors. (I'm biased, clearly, but I also mean every word.)

I'm tickled that your wife is just as incisive as April. No wonder her character appeals to you! 🙂

Take care, and I'm wishing you and your loved ones happiness and good health and lots of good reads to come.

Hugs,
Olivia

 

It just occurred to me that I used the Spoiler feature to post my conversation with the author of a book titled Spoiler Alert. 😆

 

Anyway, I am also reading Blankets by Craig Thompson, which is Thompson's graphic novel memoir about growing up in Wisconsin and counts as a book set in the Midwest. It's the perfect aesthetic for this time of year (you'd have to see it to understand what I mean), but it's also a pretty sad read. I love it, but I've definitely put it down a few times feeling kind of... angry sad.

 

So I'm making progress. I have already completed three of the categories on the challenge list. I read a fanfic ("No Reservations: Narnia," which is what it sounds like: a fictional episode of Anthony Bourdain's show No Reservations set in Narnia), a book of nature poems (The Lost Words by Robert McFarlane and Jackie Morris, a gloriously illustrated book about "lost words" from nature that have actually been removed from some dictionaries), and a book featuring a pet in which the pet doesn't die (The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neill, an adorably sweet graphic fantasy "novel" (it's short, so idk if "novel" is the right term) about tiny dragons that grow tea leaves on their horns and the people who care for them and harvest their leaves).

 

It's a start. I am looking forward to starting this challenge strong and ready. I don't know how often I will post, but I'll do my best to keep everyone updated about my progress.

[WolfDreamer]

I need help deciding something. I have three possible books in mind for the challenge category: Read a book that intimidates you.

• The Stand by Stephen King (it's super long and about a pandemic)
• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (again, super long and I'm worried it might suck me in to wanting to read the entire series, which are also super long)
• The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky

Help me decide. Post your choice and reasons below!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

I've no experience with any of those, though I got part of the way into Crime and Punishment before bailing. Dostoevsky is hard to read. 

[WolfDreamer]

1 hour ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

I've no experience with any of those, though I got part of the way into Crime and Punishment before bailing. Dostoevsky is hard to read. 

 

Agreed. I've read C&P, but it's been years, and I didn't enjoy it, even though I respected its brilliance. I have also read an excerpt from The Brothers Karamazov. 

 

I appreciate the feedback even if you haven't read any of my choices.

[WolfDreamer]

This is interesting. It's a closer look at the brilliant use of scale in the graphic novel Blankets.

 

 

[Snarkyfishguts]

My Dad votes for The Stand

My brother, mother, and SiL vote Outlander

 

I haven't read any of them. 💚 but I hope you enjoy whatever you pick! 
 

its good to see you! 

[Teros]

20 hours ago, WolfDreamer said:

I used the Spoiler feature to post my conversation with the author of a book titled Spoiler Alert

 

 

 

18 hours ago, WolfDreamer said:

The Stand by Stephen King (it's super long and about a pandemic)

 

This is my vote.  I've read a bunch of stephen king books and The Stand also has roots in his The Dark Tower-universe.  I don't think that there is as much 'and then weird shit happened to write out of a corner' in this stephen king book either, which is appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sylvaa]

Everyone seems to be in reading mode these days!

 

Regarding your book choices:

• King is always a solid choice IMO. I feel like you always have a vague idea of what you are getting from him, but you are never quite fully prepared. His books tend to go long, but never feel like a long read. I feel like this is almost too safe of a choice.
• I've never read Outlander even though I know people swear by it. I think this would be a solid choice, but you did just read a romance. Considering you said that wasn't your genre of choice, that's either a positive or negative in regards to intimidating.
• This would be my choice. Go big or go home, you know? 

I find it interesting that size seems to be the main factor in deciding which book intimidates you. Is that based on the challenge you are doing or is that of your own decision?

[WolfDreamer]

1 hour ago, Teros said:

 

I love this. 🤣

 

12 hours ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

My Dad votes for The Stand

My brother, mother, and SiL vote Outlander

 

I haven't read any of them. 💚 but I hope you enjoy whatever you pick! 
 

its good to see you! 

 

Thank you! Good to see you, as well.

 

2 hours ago, Teros said:

I don't think that there is as much 'and then weird shit happened to write out of a corner' in this stephen king book either, which is appreciated.

 

That is one of my least favorite things about King's books. And his worst books seem to be the ones where he spends most of the book making weird shit happen just to write himself out of a corner.

 

48 minutes ago, Sylvaa said:

I find it interesting that size seems to be the main factor in deciding which book intimidates you. Is that based on the challenge you are doing or is that of your own decision?

 

Size is only part of the intimidation. I am not intimidated by every long book, but...

 

• The Stand is a super lengthy novel involving a deadly pandemic, so I am intimidated by the idea of tolerating that "relevant" horror for over 1,000 pages
• Outlander is a super lengthy genre blend of romance, fantasy, and historical fiction that has a very loyal (and very specific) following, not to mention 7 other books (of similar length and content) in the series (with a 9th book on the way), not to mention a series of connected books within the same world.
• The Brothers Karamazov is a super lengthy Russian masterpiece; it is philosophical, allegorical, and epic in its scale.

So... yes, length is definitely a factor in these cases, but not the only factor.  As a comparison, I read I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb, which is pretty long, and I loved it but wasn't intimidated by it in any way.

[annyshay]

Hi Wolfdreamer!

Just FYI, The Brother's Karamazov was meant to be part of a series that never really happened. It's epic and awesome... and didn't really feel tied up in a bow to me when I read it. If that makes a difference in your decision.

[Heidi]

On 2/9/2021 at 10:32 AM, WolfDreamer said:

Sorry it doesn't have any creative theming or anything,

You've been here long enough that "a @WolfDreamer challenge" is a theme.

[Heidi]

 

On 2/11/2021 at 11:12 AM, WolfDreamer said:

The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neill

❣️

My daughter and I love love love this book.

I'm so glad it came your way.

[Heidi]

On 2/11/2021 at 1:29 PM, WolfDreamer said:

I need help deciding something. I have three possible books in mind for the challenge category: Read a book that intimidates you.

• The Stand by Stephen King (it's super long and about a pandemic)
• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (again, super long and I'm worried it might suck me in to wanting to read the entire series, which are also super long)
• The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky

Help me decide. Post your choice and reasons below!

Helping you by suggesting not Outlander. It's okay-ish, but the other two are so much better.

 

My vote is for The Stand. Dostoyevsky is brilliant (!!) but it can get to be a bit much in Brothers K.

 

The Stand is very relevant, not because of the opening pandemic, but the struggle that is revealed in its wake. The pandemic isn't the whole story by a long shot.

 

That's my two cents. 💰

Read whatever you want. 😊

🦋

[WolfDreamer]

4 hours ago, annyshay said:

Hi Wolfdreamer!

Just FYI, The Brother's Karamazov was meant to be part of a series that never really happened. It's epic and awesome... and didn't really feel tied up in a bow to me when I read it. If that makes a difference in your decision.

 

Thank you! It's always great to see you. 

 

3 hours ago, Heidi said:

You've been here long enough that "a @WolfDreamer challenge" is a theme.

 

*blushing* Thank you!

 

Especially if it has plenty of bullet points, right? 🤣

 

3 hours ago, Heidi said:

 

❣️

My daughter and I love love love this book.

I'm so glad it came your way.

 

It was rather sweet and charming.

 

3 hours ago, Heidi said:

Helping you by suggesting not Outlander. It's okay-ish, but the other two are so much better.

 

My vote is for The Stand. Dostoyevsky is brilliant (!!) but it can get to be a bit much in Brothers K.

 

The Stand is very relevant, not because of the opening pandemic, but the struggle that is revealed in its wake. The pandemic isn't the whole story by a long shot.

 

That's my two cents. 💰

Read whatever you want. 😊

🦋

 

Very helpful feedback, thank you. 

[Aquarii]

Always love to see a fellow NFer doing a reading challenge. I think reading has been a consistent part of my challenges for almost as long as I have done challenges. I find including it in my challenges definitely helps me to stay on track with my yearly goals.

 

I have thought about adding journaling to my challenge goals for awhile now. I am still trying to nail down some other habits right now, but it is one that I have waiting in the wings. If you come up with any helpful tips along your journaling journey, I would love to hear them

[WolfDreamer]

22 hours ago, Aquarii said:

If you come up with any helpful tips along your journaling journey, I would love to hear them

 

At the moment, I am using a "convenience and proximity" strategy (a phrase I just made up); my journal is sitting in a pile of other books next to my morning spot, just under my Bible and my devotional book. So my morning routine includes prayer, scripture and devotional, followed by journaling, and then breathing, reading, etc.

 

The point is to incorporate the journaling into your routine by making it convenient by putting it in close proximity to everything else that is part of your routine.

 

Hope that helps!

[Teros]

On 2/12/2021 at 9:31 AM, Sylvaa said:

I find it interesting that size seems to be the main factor in deciding which book intimidates you.

 

I feel the same way, because I hate ditching a book once I start it so if it sucks; it will be a slog for me to try and finish it.  Whereas a shorter book is less risk.

 

Regarding journaling - maybe I'm to new school or something but I haven't hand-written in a journal ever.  Since I was 12 or 13, I typed up journal word documents and then put them in a folder

[WolfDreamer]

Week One Update:

 

 

Goal 1: Score 7/7

• finished reading Spoiler Alert
• finished reading Blankets
• Started reading The Stand, as well as The Primal Connection by Mark Sisson (not part of the Read Harder Challenge) and The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elizabeth Tova Bailey (for challenge category 16: Read an own voices book about disability).

Goal 2: Score 5/7

• missed my WHM breathing two days this week
• average breath hold: 2:12
• used the app a few times, but I also found a Youtube video of Wim guiding the breathing

Goal 3: Score 7/7

• I cheated my score a little bit because honestly I haven't been journaling in the evening, but I have been spending a considerable amount of time journaling in the morning; I also had an incredible revelation while journaling about a dream I had two nights ago. I may share it here, but it's very rich with imagery and very specifically personal, so I'm not sure if I should.
• Going to try to find a brief way to squeeze in evening journaling; maybe I'll just do a gratitude list or something.

 

 

[Teros]

On 2/21/2021 at 8:29 PM, WolfDreamer said:

but it's very rich with imagery and very specifically personal, so I'm not sure if I should.

If people like it, then good. If people are judgemental, then fuck 'em.  You do you.  I'd go for it but it's not my call.

 

 

[WolfDreamer]

Apologies for the silence, my friends. A lot has been going on (good things, mostly, but really I'm just busy, and when I am in a flow I either neglect to post or I have to put it off because I'm worn out from all the other things going on. I'll give a quick update from the last two weeks:

 

Goal 1: Read Harder -- Score 14/14

• still reading The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating, as well as Becoming a King. I am also listening to Sword of Destiny (the second book in the Witcher series).
• I finished listening to Living with a Seal by Jesse Itzler. That's the book where he invited David Goggins (although it wasn't revealed until later that it was Goggins). While the book had its funny moments, I just felt like Itzler is a bit... flippant about his obvious privilege in contrast to Goggins' past and background.
• I also finished listening to Admiral McRaven's book Make Your Bed.

Goal 2: Breathe Harder -- Score 6/14

• not sure why I keep neglecting to do my WHM breathing; typically I skip it on days when I sleep in more than usual
• I did, however, download a breathing app in case I decide to try other breathwork methods besides the WHM.

Goal 3: Journal More -- Score 14/14

• This is sort of a cheated score, but not really. I have been journaling every day the past two weeks, but not in my actual journal. One of the meditation apps I use, Encounter, has a post-meditation journal prompt, so I have been completing those.

 

Side note: For those of you who know that I have been waiting years to start working on an old house that used to belong to my great grandmother so that we can move into it, we are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel (although it's still kind of far away). We are waiting on two things: stimulus check or tax returns. Once we have the funds, I will be contacting our contractor to start the remodel.

[WolfDreamer]

On 2/24/2021 at 2:35 PM, Teros said:

If people like it, then good. If people are judgemental, then fuck 'em.  You do you.  I'd go for it but it's not my call.

 

 

 

Fair point. It's worth sharing.

 

In the parts I remember, I am walking outside with some people (strangers, not people I recognize), and I accidentally step on a thicket and disturb a snake that bares its fangs at us and hisses. We run, and then we're in a house that has all the lights off, but there is light coming in from the windows. I don't recognize the house. Someone goes to the door, and I try to stop them, but they open it anyway, and when they open it the snake is there and it coils up and leaps into the house towards me. I dodge and it lands against the wall. It bares its fangs and then leaps at me again. I dodge it, but now it's loose in the house, and I can't see it, so we run out of the house. 

I get separated from the rest of the group somehow, and it's snowy outside, but I'm safe from the snake. I realize I'm in a subdivision of houses. I see a dog, and I'm not sure if it's friendly or not, so I hide by laying in the snow at the base of a tree. Inevitably the dog finds me, and I see that it is accompanied by a broad chested man with a beard and long blonde hair. He looks like a Viking. And there are actually three dogs, and they all look like a mix breed of Norwegian elk hound and Shiba inu. They are friendly and curious and greet me with sniffing, licking, and nuzzling. The man looks serious and intense but not angry, and he says, "You don't have to stay there." I don't remember anything else after that.

 

I have some thoughts on what some parts of this dream mean to me, but I'll save that for a later post. I'd be interested in hearing some others' feedback before I express my thoughts.

[WolfDreamer]

I ordered a door anchor for my resistance bands. The resistance band workouts are really working. I can feel and see a difference. I'm still self-conscious about my stomach and love handles, but I know those are better handled via nutrition, so I'm still working on that. I love to workout, and I feel stronger than I have in a long time, even stronger than when I was younger, but I also like cookies and beer, so there's that.

 

I think if I get serious about intermittent fasting it will help take off some of the belly fat. I need to get lean as well as strong because I feel like it would help a lot with my self-confidence. It's not one of those things where I apply self-worth to how my body looks, but I just feel generally better when I am confident in my strength, health, and vitality.

 

I already know what my plan is for the next challenge. Returning to an old classic that has become a regular favorite of mine as the weather gets warmer. If you've been with me for a while, you probably already know. It's epic, but it has consistently been one of my favorite challenges and has encouraged some of my healthiest habits and activities.