Cool mornings, warmer days and longer nights.

I think it’s finally starting to feel like summer.

This week, I was in a nonfiction state of mind and read two excellent books that helped me think about what I want most and what’s next for me.

I started a new podcast, dove into my notebook with an unlikely prompt and found yet another kind of journal I have to have. That ended the week on a high note. =)

What I'm Reading:

This week, I focused on non-fiction. First up was a self-help book to help me do less so I can focus on what matters more. Then, I read the most inspiring bookish memoir that I’ll likely read again and again just to collect the titles mentioned throughout. 

Do Less by Kate Northrup

Ironically, I’ve been working quite hard to do less and turned to this book for a better way of how to do so. As Kate also experienced, I’m in the middle of a challenge forcing me to slow down in ways that I don’t want to, but have come to embrace this as an opportunity to lead a better life. I was drawn in by Kate’s stories, utterly fascinated by Egg Wisdom and now have strategies for leaning into a new way of life where I’m not just doing less, but doing only what truly matters most. 

Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Literature by Zibby Owens

Gretchen Rubin says we all need to have a spiritual master and Zibby Owens is mine. Seriously. While I cannot relate to her wealth and status, I CAN relate to her love of books, the universal struggle to battle anxiety and depression and to figure out what comes next. A fellow book-lover, Zibby reads her way through life as I do, using the words and pages to heal and renew. And while that is enough to lead the way as a mentor from afar for me, her journey to claim her bookish passion and help others find the role of books in their lives is inspiring me to do the same. There might be an obstacle in my way right now, but seeing her pivot over and over again means I can, too.   

What I'm Writing:

I’m not sure you’re going to believe what I have been writing about this week. Are you ready? 

I’ve been writing about the things I don’t like about myself. 

Really. 

I was inspired after listening to Rachel Hollis’s podcast where she honestly, openly and without shame talked about the things she doesn’t like about herself and show she is attempting to grow through them. 

I mean, how powerful is that?!

So, I did the same. And here’s the difference: In the past, when I write about the things going wrong in my life and the things I don’t like about myself, I was VERY negative and often depressed as I wrote. 

But this was different. 

Rachel gave me the permission to step away from myself for a moment, think about the things I don’t like WITHOUT shame and then practically move forward one step at a time to grow into a better person. 

It was a huge perspective shift and I’m so grateful I gave it a try.

You should, too. =)

What I'm Learning:

Well, I can officially say that I have a blog, podcast and a YouTube channel. What?! So many of you reached out telling me you loved my new ‘3 Books’ videos, but that you’d love to listen on the go…..so I turned them into podcast episodes, too.=)

The podcast is called Get Lit(erate) with Stephanie Affinito. 

Each week, I offer a bit of bibliotherapy and share three books you need to know about on a bookish theme to fuel our reading hearts and help us grow through what we go through, too.

But that’s not all. 

I also invite you to extend those bookish themes in your own life through notebooking, lifelong learning and creativity to experience the life-changing magic of reading in our lives. 

And the best part? Each episode is only 20 minutes or less so you can spend less time listening and more time reading. 

Head to your favorite podcast platform and subscribe! I’ll release a new episode throughout the summer and then take stock of how to approach it in the Fall. 

Thanks for your support!

What I'm Loving:

I create my to-do lists weekly, so I loved this weekly goal planning pad from Cultivate What Matters. Have any of you tried a page like this? Share in the comments!

Look at these ADORABLE greeting cards! After reading Love & Saffron by Kim Fay, I’ve been writing more handwritten notes and these are going in my cart!

Natural Life has a new bucket list journal! It’s beautiful and I want one. 

Do you love Marie Kondo’s decluttering methods? I do (other than getting rid of too many books! So, I was excited to see her share her top tips for clearing digital clutter, too. 

There you have it! I hope this inspires you to make space for more reading and writing in your own life. What are the highlights from your literate life this week?