Back in Lock Down: July 2020 Wrap-Up

Another month, another lock down. I don’t know about you but I, for one, am seriously over 2020. I mean, who else feels like this has been a wasted year? *Sighs*.

[One day, we’re all going to shake our heads and laugh about this. Like “ah, that was so 2020!”]

This month the city of Melbourne and the metropolitan areas across Victoria were sent back into stage three lock down. Masks were decreed mandatory and visitors or gatherings were strictly prohibited as cases soared. Suffice to say, we’re all a little starved of human connection. But, bright side: I didn’t let lock down 2.0 stop me from me from having a good month.

Here’s what I got up to:

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An Attempt Was Made: June 2020 Wrap-Up

Work issues, a mental breakdown, anxiety, Black Lives Matter and COVID19 – basically my month in a nutshell. Talk about a freaking dumpster fire. I don’t know about you but at this stage, I’m honestly ready to just throw up my Christmas tree and call it a year. 2020, you suck.

So clearly, June was a bit of a ruff month for me. I think there’s just been a lot of pent up stress and I finally reached my breaking point. And, in true Alexandra fashion, the resulting meltdown wasn’t pretty. As always, I tried to soldier on and make the best of a bad situation.

Here’s what happened…

Seasonal Depression & Stargazing: May 2020 Wrap-Up

So I’ve started seeing a pattern in my moods – and no, I’m not talking about general PMS. After spouting a lot of positive energy in my last wrap-up, I found myself slowly retreating into a bleak little cloud of anxiety. And that’s okay because we can’t win them all, right? Also, feeling overwhelmed is completely normal, given the current circumstances. I mean, can 2020 just not? At least for one month??? At this stage, I think we all deserve a freaking break.

But, as a blanket of fog settled over Melbourne and with it, the bitter chill of the southerly winds, I realized that I was stuck in exactly the same slump last year. Hello season depression! Maybe it’s the persistent rain beating against the panes? Maybe it’s the lack of vitamin D? Or, maybe it’s just that isolation has me going stir crazy? Whatever the cause, taking a page out of my own book, I made the best out of my bad situation and pulled through.

Here’s what I got up to this month…

Thriving In Isolation: April 2020 Wrap-Up

Isolation – doesn’t that world have such a negative connotation? Isolation implies segregation, it means being alone and feeling lonely. Nobody wants that.

But, I’m a firm believer in the power of perspective. The idea that happiness is a choice and that a positive outlook changes everything. What if we looked at this period of self isolation not as a sacrifice, but as an opportunity? I’ve been in “stand down” from my job for a month but I took this time as a chance to re-set my batteries and you know what? I actually thrived in this mindset. So, let’s share some good news as I walk you through my new normal and April in isolation.

Social Distancing & Self Care: March 2020 Wrap-Up

What a time to be alive, am I right? I mean, who could have ever predicted this?

Spoiler alert but March was so not my month. For the most part I kept it together. Mostly. Then I was officially stood down from my job and suddenly shit got real. And my parents moved interstate earlier than planed. All that bottled up anxiety and stress revolving the current situation just broke. [Side note: I’m now scheduling my breakdowns – nothing makes you feel better than a good cry.] Suffice to say, I had a very lousy reading and blogging month.

But that’s okay. We can’t win them all, right?

Changing Tides & Weyes Blood: Feburary 2020 Wrap-Up

Another month bites the dust. Do you ever just wish that life would just stop? At very least, slow down a little? February passed in such an emotional rush. My parents were holidaying in the Whitsunday Islands and, despite living alone, I missed them. And then, when they came home, they had some unsuspecting news.

Once again, I find myself standing on the precipice of change: my parents are moving two states over and 3000 km away. In five weeks. Gulp.

Now, I’m living ever-so-slightly in denial, bracing for impact and that inevitable moment when I have to say goodbye. They tell me it’s an adventure – a chance to spread my wings and yet, I can’t help myself from feeling that this is the end of an era.

The tides are changing and I’m already stretching my arm out towards that beckoning green light on the dock. Boat against the current.

Birthday Surprises & Pocahontas Vibes: January 2020 Wrap-Up

So first thing on the agenda – I need to apologize for my unexpected, totally unplanned hiatus this week. Yes, that’s right – I’m back.

Basically January has been a solid month. [and what a month indeed]. The only reason I’ve had the chance to catch my breath the past few days is because I’ve been suffering through a bad viral infection and had to take a few days off work. Just imagine me coped up in bed, read nose and all, drowning in a sea of tissues. Not attractive.

But, my complete and utter run-down-ness aside, January has brought some pretty unexpected adventures. So let’s get into my reading month…

The Back List: Series I Need To Finish In 2020

There are two major aspects to being a reader:

1. You love to read and will read any at chance you can. On the bus? Sure. In the bath? Um, where else? Walking down the street? Why not?
2. You love buying, hording and accumulating books. Paper backs, hard backs, collectors editions, second hand – you want it all.

But, therein lies the problem.

It’s a tough pill to swallow but no matter how hard we read, it’s impossible to keep up with our TBRs. Especially when shinny new books beckon us with their siren’s call and of cause, the more we buy, the more we pave that soul crushing pile – brick by brick.

Well let it be know that 2020 is where this vicious cycle ends. I’m taking back my TBR, taking back my freedom and slaying my dragons. One book at a time.

And, with the obligatory dramatic introduction out of the way, let’s get into the back listed series I need to finish this year.

The Back List: Books on my Radar for 2020

Ah, the back list. We all have one.

It’s that pile of books you’ve bought but never read. The ones giving you the stink eye from your shelves, collecting dust. Maybe it’s that bestseller from last year? A classic you swore you’d eventually get around to reading?

One of my resolutions this year is to finally beat my back list. Or, at the very least, attempt to tame the beast. After all, isn’t it high time I rolled up my lazy-ass sleeves and just got to it? Any book accumulating dust bunnies needs to be read. Simple as that.

So, while TBRs are not my friend, here are some back listed books on my radar for 2020. Let’s slay those dragons – one book at a time!

Setting Goals: 2020 Bookish Resolutions

Happy New Year my bookish family – can you believe I’m coming to you in a brand new decade? Am I the only one who suddenly feels old???

I hope you all had a safe and festive season, especially to all my readers Down Under. As what can only be described as some of the worst bush fires in Australian history tear through our beautiful yet resilient country I hope you are all okay.

Today though, I would like to focus on the positive. This New Year feels a little extra special. I mean – it’s a new decade! WHOO HOO! That means a clean slate, a fresh start and a new chance to grow. Which means it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room; bookish resolutions!