Independence
Had a great week. I work near a beautiful branch of the NYPL and finally read my first H. P. Lovecraft novel, just in time for Halloween: The Dunwich Horror. It did not disappoint. I was concerned that something written almost 100 years ago wouldn't prove that scary, but I relished every paragraph. I also checked out an audiobook of Your Mind Is a Terrible Thing, a title I'd been meaning to read for a while. I never listen to audiobooks, but it was the only format the library had available. I really enjoyed listening to it, but the second half fell a little bit flat for me. Regardless, spending Halloween engaging with scary books was so fulfilling. That night, I felt so creatively inspired that I ended up decorating my work ID and Airpods case with stickers. Since moving into my new place about two months ago, I've barely cracked open my stationery collection, so I was practically euphoric when I discovered the urge to peruse through sticker sheets and other stationery I've lovingly collected over the years.
The weather has been unseasonably warm — glossing over the unsettling environmental implications of that — which has been really pleasant. I've hit almost 10,000 steps daily since moving here, and I take Bruno to the local dog park almost every day. I'm really finding my independent flow away from my partner in this new setting, which has been a struggle. He's such a place of comfort for me, and in an unfamiliar setting I've found myself exhibiting codependent tendencies while he's away at his office, like wasting away on the couch and resisting the urge to step outside of my comfort zone. I've regained a lot of my independence this last week after talking through it with my therapist. She recommended me this book which illuminated a lot of my behaviors for me.
I can't believe it's November already!