Yeah, I’m not totally staying away from the topic, which is my mental state in this health crisis. But more than ever, the need to escape reality is more intense. Of course, I check the news because it’s imperative to know what the real statistics are, but y’all know that it could be very, very overwhelming and that this can trigger different reactions—some of which are not good at all. So, one thing still remains consistent even though our lives have changed drastically in the span of a few weeks/months! And that for me, my ever-loving hobby—reading!

I think I’ve hinted before at what I do to function normally while we’re in this situation. The most -reliable form of escapism is always reading! I think I read, and I read as much as I can. Read new ones, tackling my TBR like I mean it, re-reading old faves which are undeniably therapeutic because they are predictable, which seems like a comfort nowadays—whatever I’m reading now, whatever takes my mind off, is something that keeps my mental being at peace momentarily.

I think no one is going to trip you up on guilt when you decide to keep your mind off of things; right now, reading the news is kind of depressing. My anxiety just can’t handle all of this stuff at once. So, reading all my bunch of isekai (historical fantasy) girls or just my typical favorite shoujo/josei manga feels like such an ease. Also reading reminds me of normal—of things like before. Reading before I go to sleep or after work. This is my normal routine, my old normal before all these things changed our lives!

We have different ways to cope while doing our part (trying to survive) to prevent it from worsening. Even though there are so many things to do and so little time and money to spare, we need not forget that our mental health is in need of a break too—and one of those things for me is reading.