Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Now is one of those times of the year when my bookish side takes a break and my other interests get a chance to flourish. Here are some of the things that I’ve been doing (or trying to do) instead of reading this spring.
1. Beautiful Weather
I’m saying this affectionally, but Toronto only has a few months of gorgeous weather per year. Most months are too hot, cold, or stormy to spend more time outside than is strictly necessary.
When we finally get long stretches of dry, mild, pleasant weather in the spring and autumn, you’d better believe I’m out there soaking up as much of it as I can.
2. Nature
Anyone who reads my posts regularly already knows I’m a nature lover. Along with enjoying pleasant weather when it comes, I also like to admire the spring flowers and whatever else is in season.
3. A Reading Slump
They seem to be more common for me in spring and autumn. It might be because I generally spend so much time reading over the winter when it’s too cold and snowy (and over the summer when it’s too hot and humid) to visit some of my favourite places.
4. TV Shows
My spouse loves watching TV with me, so that reduces my reading time as well.
5. In-Person Socialization
Like everyone else, I’ve been a real homebody these past few years (and, honestly, I was a homebody way before that, too), so I’m trying to stretch myself and spend more time socializing in person when I find Covid-safe ways to do so.
6. Fire Alarms
No, this isn’t a joke. My apartment building keeps having the fire alarm set off by people who do things like smoke in the stairwell, smoke in the hallway, or accidentally burn some food, open their front door to air out their apartment, and inadvertently set off the building-wide smoke alarm instead of only the one in their apartment.
While I am grateful for smoke alarms and how seriously management takes everyone’s safety, I sure wish the fire alarms wouldn’t be set off so often when there’s no actual danger.
TV is something I tend to watch WAY too much of. But someday I’m going to put a pause on that, pick up a book and find all the ones I’ve been missing. It’s going to happen… 🙂
Fingers crossed for you.
I am sorry but perhaps you need to leave Toronto if it has so little gorgeous weather that you must sacrifice reading in order to spend time in it. lol
Hehe! I hear you there. 😀
Beautiful weather is a great distraction.
My hubby loves watching TV with me, too.
Cool!
Wow, I was surprised by the fire alarm one. This is something I didn’t even think of – obviously sometime I take for granted! X
It’s one of the less fun parts of living in close quarters to so many other people, but at least it makes for a good story. 🙂
That fire alarm would stress me out! Even if you know that most likely it’s someone setting it off with their actions and not an actual fire, still.
Happy Tuesday!
Yeah, it did take a while to get used to for sure. 🙂
I would not have expected fire alarms, but your explanation makes sense! Like you, I only get a couple of months of really nice weather a year, so they have to be taken advantage of.
For sure. 🙂
The fire alarm would drive me absolutely insane. I don’t know how you tolerate it!
Heh, I’m a very patient person I suppose.
The weather does interfere with reading, unless you choose to read at the park or listen to audiobooks while you walk.
Yes, absolutely.
The fire alarm thing would drive me nuts!
It’s irritating for sure. 🙂
TV and movies get in the way for me as well.
There are so many good ones out there.
The Fire alarms would drive me nuts!
It’s frustrating for sure.
Oh my gosh! The fire alarms (while important) would drive me crazy.
I completely agree with the weather and nature ones. While my part of California gets nice weather more often, I prefer the slightly-chill spring or autumn mornings to the heat of summer, so I’ve been trying to spend more time outdoors while it lasts, too.
My TTT: https://bookwyrmknits.com/2023/05/16/top-ten-tuesday-things-getting-in-the-way-of-reading/
I literally just left a comment on your blog. Funny timing there.
I hope you get lots of nice outdoor time. 🙂
Beautiful weather definitely must be enjoyed when it happens! The books will wait, the weather will not, haha 🙂
For sure!
Most of these are great reasons for not reading…but take a book out in nature, LOL! Sorry about the fire alarms, that would be a pain.
Heh, that could work. 🙂
Huh, never thought about the fact that if you can have a writing slump, you could also have a reading slump.
It’s an interesting thing to think about for sure. 🙂
You definitely have to take advantage of when the weather is perfect! The books will still be there when it is not.
For sure. 🙂
Ugh I do not miss living in an apartment and dealing with other people causing problems like setting the alarm off or flooding the floor. The weather here has finally become nice and I am trying to soak it up as well before the weather changes.
I hope you get lots of nice outdoor time. 🙂
Wow, how annoying about the fire alarms! Nature and being outdoors are excellent reasons to step away from reading. There’s only so many chances to enjoy gorgeous weather!
Absolutely.
Thank goodness for great weather.
I love how the seasons influence your reading so much, so that there’s a predictable slump in your reading because you’re outside and enjoying the beautiful spring weather and nature. I spent some time outside yesterday and the fresh air and breeze and flowers was so relaxing. Hopefully spring sticks around for a while!
Thanks, Leah. I hope you get lots of great spring weather this year.
Oh my goodness, constant fire alarms would be SOOOO annoying! What a pain. Hopefully, you will never have to deal with a real one.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Thank you. Fingers crossed!
How annoying about the alarm. I find that TV is also a distraction. Sometimes just watching something is less effort!
In the UK we have a fair mix of weather. I personally prefer an overcast day. I find that I can get out and about without getting overheated and annoyed if there isn’t the sun shining down on me!!
Have a great week!
I hear you there.
And, yeah, there are a lot of advantages to overcast days.
LOL fire alarms! Back in school they’d do our drills back to back and drive everyone nuts lol. Great list!
Ugh! That sounds very annoying. LOL.
And thanks.
Oh my goodness. The smoke alarms would not be good for my anxiety. 😂 Absolutely soak up that nice weather when you can. I know Texas is known for its sunshine, but mostly it’s either hot or humid. We have to get out on those nice days, too!
Thank you. I hope you have some wonderful days in Texas this year.
TV time with the spouse sounds cute. Same with me, with my mom or brother
Thank you. 🙂
Beautiful weather definitely keeps me from reading sometimes! I love to go on long hikes on Saturday mornings. Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
Very cool!
The weather and getting outside is definitely a big one. It’s only in the 60’s here but at least we’re getting sun now…
I hope you get warmer weather soon!
I can see how those fire alarms can be annoying and take time away from reading. They are certainly useful in saving lives, but frequent false alarms are a nuisance. I hope you have a great week. 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
Nature and good weather get in the way of reading for me too. I read a ton during the winter and then pretty much nothing during the summer.
Very interesting that you follow that pattern!
I actually tend to read more when the weather is good because I’ll take my book and sit and read outside for hours on end (the UK has a very similar problem though in that we have very rare and brief spouts of good weather!). TV also takes up a lot of my reading time and socialising with friends and family as well.
Very interesting! Yeah, I’ve heard the UK has a lot of rainy days.
#6 would drive me absolutely batty!
It’s no fun for sure. 🙂
The beautiful weather is one that constantly gets me! After being stuck inside for months it’s hard to stay in and read! I need to get a comfy chair for outside so I can read out there. 🙂
That’s a good idea.
Ok, the fire alarms are crazy… in-person socializing and being out in nature are so important to recharge the battery!
For sure!
I hope you don’t have any fire alarm issues in the future! Big agree on the first two, I need to soak up all the sunshine these months and I love hanging out in nature
Thank you. Have a nice spring/early summer!
A great starter list. Unfortunately, I think mine would have more like 47 things on it. Haha!
Thanks,
Stan